Uncommon Sense

Historian Dr Chloe Ward from the EU Studies Centre at RMIT came in to discuss Boris Johnson's Britain and UK politics post-Brexit. Associate Professor Jessica Whyte, a political theorist and philosopher from The University of NSW, traces the origins of neoliberalism from 1947 and recounts how neoliberals hijacked human rights - this is all explored in her critically acclaimed book, The Morals of the Market: Human Rights and the Rise of Neoliberalism. And Australian composer and conductor Gordon Hamilton on the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's World Premiere of Far South, inspired by his voyage to Casey Station, Antarctica onboard the icebreaker Aurora Australis. 

Natural historian, ecologist, and environmental photographer Alison Pouliot came in to talk about the fascinating fungi kingdom, how fungi are our phylogenetic older siblings, and her extraordinary life travelling the globe to capture and study all kinds of fungi. Alison believes we need to care about the conservation of fungi as much as any other living organism.

Natural historian, ecologist, and environmental photographer Alison Pouliot came in to talk about the fascinating fungi kingdom, how fungi are our phylogenetic older siblings, and her extraordinary life travelling the globe to capture and study all kinds of fungi. Alison believes we need to care about the conservation of fungi as much as any other living organism. Nick Parry, from the Australian-German Climate & Energy College at The University of Melbourne discusses how and why European nations have been transitioning more easily than Australia to renewable energy and the idea of a low carbon emissions future. He also shares how this affects EU-Australia relations, diplomatically and economically. Plus the Guardian Australia's Luke Henriques-Gomes returned to discuss what we've gleaned so far from recent Disability Royal Commission hearings, and gave us an update on robodebt, and federal welfare policy.

Internationally renowned art conservators Will Shank and Antonio Rava came in to discuss their restoration of the famous Keith Haring mural at the Collingwood Arts Precinct, and the painstaking processes and careful considerations that go into the restoration of major works of art, murals, and street art.

Internationally renowned art conservators Will Shank and Antonio Rava came in to discuss their restoration of the famous Keith Haring mural at the Collingwood Arts Precinct, and the painstaking processes and careful considerations that go into the restoration of major works of art, murals, and street art. Dr Brendan Wintle, Professor of Conservation Ecology at The University of Melbourne and Director of the Threatened Species Recovery Hub comes in to discuss the status of Australia's threatened species after the extreme bushfires this summer, and what ecologists are doing to assess the impacts on biodiversity and wildlife. Plus Maddison Connaughton, Editor of The Saturday Paper, discusses the latest in federal politics.

Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst, an expert in Fire Ecology and Management from the University of Melbourne, joined Amy to discuss bushfire science and behaviour, what we've learned from previous bushfire inquiries and royal commissions and why we don't need another one, as well as how we can better manage the land in future.

Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst, an expert in Fire Ecology and Management from the University of Melbourne, joined Amy to discuss bushfire science and behaviour, what we've learned from previous bushfire inquiries and royal commissions and why we don't need another one, as well as how we can better manage the land in future. Elisabetta Ferrari, Lecturer in Italian Studies at the University of Melbourne comes in to explore the life and work of Italian film director and actor Vittorio De Sica. They discuss mid-twentieth century Italian neorealism and De Sica's films, including Ladri di Bicyclette (BICYCLE THIEVES), which is hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made. An upcoming retrospective of De Sica's work is showing at the Melbourne Cinémathèque. Plus, Ben Eltham, National Affairs Correspondent from New Matilda came in to talk about the latest in federal politics. 

Philosopher Associate Professor Matthew Sharpe from Deakin University explores the subject of his upcoming lecture, on philosophy and evil which looks at the controversy surround Martin Heidegger’s Black Notebooks and his associations with anti-Semitic and Nazi ideology, as well as the ideas underpinning existentialism, stoicism, and the work of French-Algerian author Albert Camus

Ben Eltham, National Affairs Correspondent for New Matilda came in to discuss federal politics, including the spill of the National Party’s leadership positions, as well as the resignation of the Greens Leader Richard Di Natale from the Senate, and the sports rorts scandal that finally claimed Bridget McKenzie’s Ministership; Philosopher Associate Professor Matthew Sharpe from Deakin University explores the subject of his upcoming lecture, on philosophy and evil which looks at the controversy surround Martin Heidegger’s Black Notebooks and his associations with anti-Semitic and Nazi ideology, as well as the ideas underpinning existentialism, stoicism, and the work of French-Algerian author Albert Camus; plus, Dr Alexandra Phelan, Faculty Research Instructor at Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Science and Security on the deadly coronavirus in Wuhan that continues to spread across China and the world, and the public health and human rights implications of the outbreak. 

Dr Emma Shortis from RMIT came in to discuss the US Senate’s impeachment hearings into President Trump as well as the Democratic presidential candidate race; and Dr Manu Saunders, ecologist at the University of New England and Co-Founder of the Wild Pollinator Count, joined Amy to discuss how your garden is an ecosystem and what you can do to help it and our native animals, insects, and plants thrive.