The Random Sample

What does it really mean for something to be complex - and how can mathematics help us make sense of it?

In this episode of The Random Sample, our guest is Professor Michael Small, leader of the Complex Systems Group at the University of Western Australia. Michael’s research uses mathematics to uncover hidden patterns in the chaos of the world around us - from social networks and pandemics to psychiatric illness and engineering problems.

Michael also shares candid thoughts on the pressures of academic publishing. Plus, we also dive into the rise of artificial intelligence, where Michael argues AI won’t replace mathematics - but it will change it.

It’s a wide-ranging discussion – hosted by Dr Mehwish Nasim, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Western Australia.

Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/complex-systems-michael-small/

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In today’s data-driven world, questions around who controls data, how it’s used, and who benefits from it are more pressing than ever. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, these questions carry even deeper significance—rooted in histories of exclusion, marginalisation, and misrepresentation.

In this episode, we explore the vital issue of Indigenous data governance and sovereignty with Levi-Craig Murray, an Aboriginal man of Wakka Wakka and Kubi Kubi descent.

Levi brings deep insight to this conversation, drawing on his experience as the former Strategic Manager of Indigenous Data with the Indigenous Studies Unit at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health. Now undertaking full-time postgraduate study, he continues to advocate for reshaping how Indigenous data is understood, governed, and respected.

Released during NAIDOC Week 2025, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the role of data in shaping futures—and how we can all contribute to more inclusive and culturally informed data practices.

Our host is Dr Bernadette Hyland-Wood from the QUT Centre for Data Science.

Episode webpage:  https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/indigenous-data/

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The Random Sample steps into the dynamic world of interdisciplinary research—viewed through the lens of data science and statistics. Our guest is a true leader in collaborative science: Professor Galit Shmueli.

Galit is the Tsing Hua Chair Professor at the Institute of Service Science at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, the inaugural editor-in-chief of the INFORMS Journal on Data Science, and a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics.

In this episode, she shares her insights on building meaningful connections across disciplines — and reflects on the role of artificial intelligence and large language models in shaping the future of research.

Our host is Cynthia Huang.

Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/interdisciplinar…ch-galit-shmueli/

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A few short years ago, it was one of the most hyped technology fields around. But after all that excitement, where are we now with autonomous vehicles — or driverless cars?

In this episode, we go under the hood to explore how AVs gather and use data, and the complex mathematics that helps them navigate a messy, unpredictable world.

What are the challenges still standing in the way? And how close are we, really, to letting go of the wheel?

Our guest is Professor Michael Milford, Director of the QUT Centre for Robotics – and someone who’s been working on this problem for much of his career.

Our host is Dr James Nichols.

Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/autonomous-vehicles/

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We’re diving into the design and development of the tools that have transformed data science and statistical programming — with none other than Dr Hadley Wickham.

Hadley is the Chief Scientist at Posit (formerly RStudio), where he leads the Tidyverse team. This team is behind some of the most widely used open-source packages in the R programming language — including dplyr and ggplot2. These tools have empowered thousands of data scientists and researchers to explore complex datasets and communicate insights through compelling visualisations.

In this episode,  Hadley shares key lessons he’s learnt from over two decades of building and maintaining open-source software. We also look ahead, as he discusses where he sees data science tooling headed — and the principles that will shape its future.

Our host is Cynthia Huang.

Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/hadley-wickham/

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Researchers and decision-makers face a familiar challenge: data exists, but it’s often locked away. Once research is published, the underlying data and analysis frequently vanish into private repositories—accessible only through time-consuming permissions or technical expertise. For those working on urgent issues like climate change and public health, these data silos slow progress and limit impact.

In this episode, we look at AusEnHealth, a project aiming to change that. As Australia’s first national digital environmental health decision support platform, AusEnHealth is being designed to bring together fragmented datasets and make them easier to access, explore, and use. The goal is to offer interactive visualisations and built-in analytics that deliver rapid insights—even for those without the time, tools, or training to process complex data on their own.

Our guest for this episode is Dr Aiden Price, a Senior Research Fellow with the QUT Centre for Data Science and one of the lead researchers in this project.

Our host is Tanya Dodgen, a PhD Candidate at QUT.

Episode webpage:  https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ausenhealth/

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Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is no longer a futuristic concept.  It’s here, embedded in almost every technology we use. It’s one of the most transformative forces of our time, and in this episode, we’re unpacking what that means, focusing on the powerful engines behind it: large language models, or LLM’s.

A year and a half ago, The Random Sample did an episode exploring the science behind ChatGPT and its groundbreaking use of LLM’s.  Fast forward to now, and the A-I landscape has already shifted dramatically. The pace of innovation is staggering.

Today, we’re bringing back our guest from that previous episode. Simon Angus is a Professor in the Department of Economics at Monash University. Simon is also a Principal Investigator with SoDa Labs at Monash Business School, a research lab that applies new tools from data science and machine learning to answer social science questions. Simon will help us navigate what’s new, and what we should be thinking about as AI continues to reshape the world.

Whether you’re new to AI and unsure where to start, or already exploring how it can transform your work or life, this episode has something for you. Understanding this transformative technology isn’t optional. It’s essential – and Simon is here to break it all down in a way that’s clear, approachable, and practical.

Our host is Pranita Shrestha, a PhD Candidate at the Action Lab in the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University.

Episode webpage with links:  https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/beyond-chatgpt-ai-landscape/

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This is the second part of our special two-part series, where we dive into the surprising and unexpected ways artificial intelligence, or AI, and the law intersect.

This episode takes a closer look at the evolving efforts to regulate AI—an urgent issue that governments and leaders across Australia and around the world are tackling right now.

We delve into the complexities of assigning responsibility and managing risks in AI systems—especially when so many hands contribute to their creation. How do you hold a system accountable when its impacts can be so widespread and unpredictable?

Our guest is Dr. Henry Fraser, a Research Fellow in Law, Accountability, and Data Science at QUT and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society. His research focuses on developing laws that encourage responsible automated decision-making.

Our host for this series is Dr. Aaron Snoswell, a senior research fellow in A-I accountability at the QUT Generative AI Lab, and co-lead of the Responsible Data Science and A-I program at the QUT Centre for Data Science.

There is more information and links to some of Dr Fraser's work on our website: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ai-law-part-2/

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This is the first of our two-part series on a topic that’s sweeping the headlines: Artificial Intelligence or A-I. But we’re taking a different angle, one that many in the data and mathematical sciences might not consider often, but absolutely should. We’re talking about the law! This series will dig into the surprising intersections between A-I and legal frameworks—and the ways in which they’re increasingly intertwined. This episode gets into the here and now – how A-I is already impacting legal practice and policy. Our guest, Associate Professor Michael Guihot from QUT’s School of Law, is an expert on the intricate connections between emerging technologies and the legal system. He studies the societal impacts of innovations like A-I and how they challenge traditional legal frameworks. Guihot also brings A-I into his classroom, giving future legal minds hands-on experience with the technology that will shape their field. Our host for this series is Dr. Aaron Snoswell, a senior research fellow in A-I accountability at the QUT Generative AI Lab, and co-lead of the Responsible Data Science and A-I program at the QUT Centre for Data Science.  Episode webpage:  https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/ai-law-part-1/

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High school mathematics in Australia is often driven by one thing: those high-stakes Year 12 exams. In this episode, we take a fresh look at how high school maths is taught. We’re joined by someone who’s making waves in education: Donna Buckley, a mathematics and cybersecurity teacher from John Curtin College of the Arts in Western Australia. In 2023, Donna received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools, recognised for inspiring students of all backgrounds to see the power of maths beyond the classroom and even opening their eyes to careers in STEM. Donna brings a unique perspective on the gap between what mathematicians do and what high school maths has become.  Donna also shares how she is shaking things up in the classroom, inspiring creativity, and connecting maths to her students’ interests – whether it’s the geometry of fashion, the patterns in textiles, or even using Dr. Seuss to introduce concepts in AI and chatbots. This episode covers a lot of ground on the perceptions of maths and how it’s taught, so get ready for an eye-opening discussion.Our host for this episode is Rose Crocker, an applied mathematician with the Australian Institute of Marine Science.  You can find links to what Donna talked in the episode on our website: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/maths-education-donna-buckley/

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