UNSW Centre for Ideas

Has climate chaos, the cost-of-living crisis and the threat of AI overlords got you feeling like the end is nigh? Don’t stress. As psychologist and evolutionary biologist Athena Aktipis points out, humankind is hardwired to survive big existential crises. 

In this engaging talk, Athena—armed with her trusty ukulele—and UNSW’s Rob Brooks journey through history, psychology, and shared humanity to uncover the tools that will help us survive—and thrive—amidst the chaos. Tune in to the podcast and you can expect to learn about the psychology of stress, tips for prepping (hint: duct tape is essential!), and how embracing our communal nature can turn even the direst situations into opportunities for growth and connection. 

Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.

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In today's fast paced digital age where misinformation spreads like wildfire, the importance of science communication has never been more critical. From bogus health claims to pseudoscientific theories, the online landscape is rife with inaccuracies that undermine public trust in science. But New York Times bestseller Jennifer Gunter is trying to change this. Dubbed the internet’s gynaecologist, Gunter became an overnight celebrity when she debunked Trump’s medical examination letter and she continues to educate the masses each day.  

In conversation with NSW Deputy Chief Scientist Darren Saunders, hear Jen shed light on the challenges facing modern science communicators and offer invaluable insights on how to navigate this uncharted terrain.

This event is presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, UNSW Medicine & Health and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.

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From the celestial ballet of exploding supernovae to the cosmic whispers of gravitational waves, acclaimed astrophysicist Tamara Davis’ journey through the cosmos promises to captivate and inspire. With over two decades dedicated to unravelling cosmic mysteries, Tamara Davis has played a pivotal role in monumental astronomical surveys, uncovering over half a billion galaxies and illuminating the enigmatic nature of dark energy.

Listen as she shares her groundbreaking research with UNSW's Dean of Science, Sven Rogge, which has revealed that not only is the universe accelerating, but the very essence driving this expansion may be evolving over time.  

Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, Australian Institute of Physics and UNSW Science as a part of National Science Week.

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When it comes to climate change, answers can be difficult to nail down. Will the world reach net zero in time? What does a climate change future even look like? Will the changes come in my lifetime – or is it my kids or grandkids who will suffer? With every uncertainty, you can feel your head sink a little deeper into the sand...

What is it about our lives, and the way we do, or don’t, think about climate change, that makes it so difficult to change our behaviors? And what’s being done to help motivate people in high-risk areas to prepare?

This episode features: 

• Ray Langenfelds – Atmospheric Scientist, CSIRO
• Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
• Ben Newell – Professor of Psychology, UNSW Science
• Candice Boyd – Associate Producer of Geography and Registered Clinical Psychologist, University of Melbourne
• Jeremy Moss – Professor of Philosophy, UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture
• Brian Cook – Associate Professor of Geography, University of Melbourne

Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas. 

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As we struggle to reduce carbon emissions, environmental markets are creating a world where money really does grow on trees. But does putting a price on nature, and forcing the economy to value the things it’s always taken for granted, really work? And can it help us prepare for climate change?

This episode features: 

• Miri (Margaret) Raven – Senior Scientia Lecture, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
• Megan Evans – Senior Lecturer, UNSW Canberra
• William Glamore – Professor of Environmental Engineering , UNSW Engineering  
• Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering

Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas. 

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We. Love. Heat. Bring on the summer! Right? But as each month sees another heat record broken, should we start thinking about heat differently?

What’s happening on a local and global level to prepare us for extreme weather events – and for a much sweatier future?

This episode features: 

• Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick – Professor of Climate Science, ANU
• Lan Ding – Associate Professor of Built Environment, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture  
• William Craft – Sustainable Design Researcher, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
• Shayne Gary – Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, UNSW Business School
• Giovanni Cunico – PhD Candidate, UNSW Business School
• Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
• Tim Howlett – Team Leader Growth Planning Projects, Dubbo Regional Council

Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas. 

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The Earth is cracking under the weight of our expectations, with growth held up as the economic north star. Meanwhile, wildlife populations are collapsing, the ocean is acidifying, and carbon emissions are still increasing. Despite everything we know about what’s wrong and what to do about it, we cling to our current way of life.

Civilizations have collapsed before. Could it be happening again? And if it is, what can we be doing to prepare for it?

This episode features: 

• Richard Kingsford – Professor of Ecology and Director of the Centre for Ecosystem Science, UNSW Science
• Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering
• Mark Diesendorf – Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, UNSW Sydney
• Jem Bendell – Emeritus Professor of Sustainability Leadership, University of Cumbria

Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas. 

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In the popular imagination, preppers are busy hoarding tinned food in their bunkers while they wait for the end of the world. But is this what most prepping looks like? And is climate change as bad as all that? 

The bin fire of the last few years has ramped the eco-anxiety up to an 11. But as we go about our lives, studying, feeding our families, paying off our debts and waiting for the next season of The Great British Bake Off, have we all put our heads a little too far into the sand? Sure, we’re all worried, but we can’t be thinking about it all the time, much less heading to the hills to shoot our dinner and drag it back to our underground bunkers. Besides, it won't come to that... will it? 

Is there anything we can learn from the prepping mindset as the reality of climate change comes barrelling toward us? 

This episode features: 

• John Scarinci – President, Australian Preppers Survival League
• Kezia Barker – Senior Lecturer in Geography, Liverpool John Moores University
• Tommy Wiedmann – Professor of Sustainability, UNSW Engineering 

Preppers is created by the UNSW Centre for Ideas. 

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Get ready to confront the uncomfortable truths about climate change with investigative humorist and climate action enthusiast Dan Ilic in Preppers, a podcast by the UNSW Centre for Ideas that dives deep into the realities we often avoid.

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Intuition isn’t just hippie-dippie or woo-woo – it saves lives, averts disasters and drives countless innovative business decisions. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, for one, regularly relied on his gut instincts. 

Leading Australian neuroscientist and psychologist Joel Pearson’s The Intuition Toolkit: The New Science of Knowing What, Without Knowing Why presents five scientifically solid strategies for developing intuition that anyone can learn to harness and trust. 

Listen to unlock the mysteries of human consciousness as Joel teaches us when it’s safe to rely on intuition in decision-making.

Presented by Sydney Writers' Festival and supported by UNSW Centre for Ideas.

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