The legislation that would have allowed for the capping of international student numbers looks doomed to fail - with the Coalition and the Greens opposing it. However, the debate around international students continues to rage - wrapped up as it is - erroneously - in arguments about cost of living, housing and immigration. We wanted to put a human face to our international students, so we invited three of them - Ayesha Shaikh from the University of Sydney, Bolong Du from The University of Queensland and Cyrus Cheng from UNSW - into the pod booth to tell us about their motivations, hopes and experiences as international students in Australia. Recorded November 2024.

Professor James Laurenceson discusses the role of the Australia-China Relations Institute, Australia's relationship with China, research collaboration, international students, foreign interference and navigating AUKUS with China. Recorded April 2024.

Dr Michael Buckland on the risk of developing CTE from head knocks and the need for better regulation in contact sport.

CSIRO Chief Dr Doug Hilton discusses the CSIRO’s role and importance to Australia, his life before the CSIRO and the importance of increasing the nation’s spend on research & development. Recorded May 2024.

Federal Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender MP, discusses the current debate around universities and migration, the housing crisis, tax reform, the energy transition and even the unexpected joy of politics. Recorded May 2024.

Constitutional and human rights law expert from The University of New South Wales, Professor George Williams, discusses some of the extraordinarily challenging issues confronting universities right now. Recorded May 2024.

EU Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency, Gabriele Visentin, discusses the EU’s Indo-Pacific push, the war in Ukraine, the EU-Australia free trade agreement and research collaboration opportunities between the EU and Australia.

Senator James Paterson canvasses a range of issues impacting our university sector and our society – from global research cooperation and foreign interference to cyber threats, national security and the rise of extremism in Australia. Recorded February 2024.

Associate Professor Susan Woods from the University of Adelaide on an Australian medical breakthrough that could lead to the eradication of bowel cancer, spell the end of awkward stool tests and lead to earlier diagnosis, saving thousands of lives.

Professor Stephen Nicholls Program Director, of MonashHeart, Intensive Care and Victorian Heart Hospital, Monash Health, on new strategies for combatting heart disease and the state-of-the-art hospital he leads.