Challenging a sacrosanct tradition? Depathologisation and policy representations of 'care' for people seeking access to gender-affirming medical technologies.  

This episode discusses the utility of a critical approach to policy analysis as methodology for enquiry into the social production of mental health and illness. Situated within the complexities of work to depathologise trans, gender diverse, and non-binary people, this presentation offers a critical analysis of policies that guide healthcare practices for people seeking access to medical gender affirmations. It investigates representations of “care”, offering an overview of a comparative analysis of a policy whose proposed care-practices pivot around DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for “Gender Dysphoria”, and a policy proposing a non-pathologising, rights-based healthcare model for the provision of gender-related body modifications. On this episode our guest is Ms Rebecca Howe, a PhD Candidate from the University of Sydney, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

There are emerging security trends and risks worldwide. The international security environment is gradually characterized by hybrid conflict strategies that fall under military, political, economic, information, and cyber domains. Hybrid threats are complex, ambiguous and multidimensional in nature, and have gradual impacts, making them difficult for states to effectively respond and pose a significant challenge to long term security. On this episode, we discuss why hybrid conflict constitutes an increasingly desirable strategy to achieve political goals with Bianca Torossian, a strategic analyst with the Hauge Centre for Strategic Studies.

Her studies at The University of Sydney, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Leiden University- The Hague, earned her a Bachelor degree political, economic and social science, and a Master degree in political science and international organization. She specializes in the intersection between emerging technologies and conflict.

On this episode of Halftime Scholars, we speak with Amorisa Wiratri from the University of Western Australia

Whose research focuses on the dynamics of the Indonesian diaspora.

Who have been living for generations in the southern Philippines?

These communities have been officially recognised as (new) Indonesian citizens since December 2017.

This is the first time that the Indonesian government granted citizenship to a subpopulation in its diaspora. 

Join us to listen to her insights as she embarks on her fieldwork.

Natural disasters may have perplexing effects on the lives of those who live through them, in physical, mental and emotional ways.

For years researchers have explored the long-term health impact of disasters, which can include anxiety, depression.

How do medical practitioners deal with potential problems related to patients in these specific conditions?

Greater awareness of these potential problems and solutions are vital for medical practitioners to work with patients from disaster-affected areas.

On this episode, we discuss these issues and solutions with Dr Rosaria Indah from The University of Sydney, join us today to listen to her insights from her ethnographic study researching medical education during fieldwork Aceh, Indonesia.

What are the root causes of modern conflicts? How does ideology, policy and history contribute to them?. And what role does education play in fostering peace? We discuss these roots and some possible solutions to modern conflicts with Dr Jeremy Cunningham. Education consultant and independent researcher.An alumni of the University College London. Author of the book Conflict Transformation Through School. Dr Cunningham is an experienced school headteacher and has a background in history, peace, human rights, democracy and citizenship education. Join us on this episode to hear his insights from his research journey