9-15 September 2024

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Wealth And Giving In Australia: An Examination Of The Evidence And Policy Implications

The University of Western Australia, Business School Hackett Drive, Perth

This presentation from Professor Paul Flatau (Director, Centre for Social Impact, University of Western Australia) will examine trends in the distribution of income and wealth in Australia including by high net wealth and ultra-high net wealth individuals and philanthropic giving of Australians and the potential for giving to rise to achieve positive social impact. The presentation will explore the rate of tax-deductible donations in Australia, and giving among the wealthiest Australians. Overall, Australia is one of the world’s richest nations, and the wealthiest Australians are currently experiencing unprecedented growth in their fortunes. However, Australia’s giving record remains relatively low compared with other wealthy countries. There is untapped potential that exists to better fund the not-for-profit sector. The  presentation is organised by the Economic Society of Australia (Western Australia)

Free

Kids These Days: Harnessing the Heroism of Youth

Virtual

Since 2010, we’ve experienced a 40% increase in youth mental health diagnoses. In that same decade, prescriptions of psychiatric medications increased by 50%. With suicide becoming the number one cause of death for young people today and half of the population now predicted to experience a mental disorder during their adolescence, this crisis should be a central concern in western society. Dr Dobud and Professor Harper sought to find answers as to what is driving this reality, and they asked the experts – the therapists, educators, doctors, scientists, and parenting experts – what can we do to improve youth wellbeing? Leaning on their 50 years of collective experience working with at-risk youth, this presentation explores the preliminary lessons learnt from talking to an international cohort of experts in parenting, mental health, and youth development. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-these-days-harnessing-the-heroism-of-youth-tickets-695951749417?aff=oddtdtcreator

Free

Social Innovation as Social Praxis: On the Organisation of Social Infrastructures

Virtual

Social innovation has become a key theme of recent discussions about the most effective ways of responding to complex health, social and economic problems in cities. Yet much of this discussion emphasises techniques and processes of innovation at the relative expense of more sophisticated understandings of the social. This talk explores how the social sciences may contribute more effectively to discussions of social innovation praxis in Australia by contributing key insights into the ways innovations transform the socius. I emphasise ideas of place, counter/publics and atmospheres to explore the ways social innovation may support more ‘liveable lives’ in Australian cities. About the speaker: Cameron Duff is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Organisations and Social Change in the College of Business and Law at RMIT University in Melbourne. Duff’s recent program of research explores the role of social innovation in responding to complex health and social problems in cities. This is a RMIT Engaging for Impact event and is supported by the RMIT Enabling Impact Platforms, College of Design and Social Context, College of Business and Law, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, and RMIT Culture.

Free

Lobbying and Agenda Setting: Whose Interests are Served, How and Why?

Room 650, Social Sciences Building, University of Sydney Science Road, Camperdown

Lobbying and advising the government are part of the democratic process. Sometimes the interests being served are clear, yet at others they are hidden. Sometimes stories are told to make the outcomes desired easier to understand, and more likely, while at others the narrative serves to shroud the real outcomes desired and undermine democratic processes. In this presentation, the cases of consultants advising governments and the OECD on tax avoidance and LGBTQ+ lobbying are used to tease out some of these tensions. In the case of the former, the role of the Big Four (PwC, EY, KPMG and Deloitte) is used to illustrate how interests potentially undermine desirable outcomes. In the case of the latter, lobbyists and lobbying were essential in driving desirable change. Moderator: Professor Gaby Ramia Speakers: Associate Professor John Mikler: John is an Associate Professor in the Discipline of Government and International Relations. He researches corporations' relations with states, civil society and international organisations, as well as how they are political actors in their own right. His recent books include The Political Power of Global Corporations (Polity 2018); MNCs in Global Politics: Pathways of Influence (co-edited with Karsten Ronit, Edward Elgar 2020); and Capitalism for All: Realising its Liberal […]

Free

UOW Luminaries: Unlocking the power of digital literacy to empower children

Virtual

Digital literacy for children is complex; even for our youngest children. The ability to use a range of digital technologies, to critically engage with those technologies, and the texts they offer is important. But so too is developing children’s capacities to react and respond to the digital culture within which they operate. Consider the scenarios; While playing an online game, a child is invited to network with an unfamiliar person. While researching for a school project, a child comes across inaccurate information. A photo is shared via social media; the child has not consented for it to be shared and becomes annoyed when they see it. Drawing from interdisciplinary perspectives the panel will consider the scenarios as they work to embrace the fluidity of the digital age as children use technology in ways that are developmentally and contextually appropriate, literacy rich, and safe. When: Thursday, 7 September, 4-5 pm AEST Where: Online via Zoom - Zoom link to join the webinar will be emailed after registration Panellists: Professor Lisa Kervin is Professor of Education in the Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wollongong (UOW), where she is also Director of Early Start Research. Associate Professor Jessica Mantei is Deputy Head […]

Free

What is heat? Measuring heat and mapping heat stress – an anthropological account.

Deakin Waterfront 1 Gheringhap Street, Melbourne

Deakin Anthropology Seminar Series - Dr Catherine Trundle: "What is heat? Measuring heat and mapping heat stress – an anthropological account." ABSTRACT In a warming world our ability to understand, categorise and identify patterns of heat becomes more pressing. But what is heat, and how are the thresholds between healthy and comfortable heat, and dangerous, uncomfortable heat constituted? In this talk I’ll explore the metrics used globally, nationally, and locally to determine heat stress and the risks heat poses to human health. Heat, I will argue, emerges as a variegated object—and one of increasing political and social attention—through a wide range of epistemic practices. These range from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) metrics for communicating certainty in climate science, to the WBGT (wet-bulb globe temperature) index, from hospital admission statistics in the Northern Territory, to global thermal comfort metrics. They include the Victorian heatwave warning system, WorkSafe Victoria workplace protocols, the thermal imaging of streets in Inner Melbourne, and maps of canopy scarcity in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Heat, I will argue, is becoming both more certain and more knowable. At the same time, these diverse metrics open and foreclose opportunities to understand the social and political causes of […]

Free

It’s Time for Change – New Perspectives on Body Image

Lecture Theatre, The Betty & John Laidlaw AO Alfred Innovation & Education Hub, Alfred Hospital Lecture Theatre, The Betty & John Laidlaw AO Alfred Innovation & Education Hub, Alfred Hospital 75 Commercial Road Melbourne, VIC 3004

Body image concerns are unfortunately very common. More than 43 percent of people in Australia are dissatisfied with their physical appearance. Negative body image can lead to extreme dieting, excessive exercise, the pursuit of risky cosmetic surgery, as well as overall poor self-esteem. Body image concerns are also one of the strongest risk factors for the development of eating disorders, which impact more than 1 million Australians of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Unfortunately, less than one in four people ever receive treatment. Monash University’s Associate Professor Gemma Sharp will speak on her innovative strategies to use the latest technology to address body image concerns and eating disorders. This includes her pioneering use of conversational artificial intelligence to provide thousands of people with the help they need to feel better about their bodies. She will also share how our mobile phones can be a useful tool to both ‘sense’ when we are experiencing body image distress from our app usage, and deliver highly personalised support whenever and wherever we need it - essentially personalised medicine delivered through your phone. About the Speaker Associate Professor Gemma Sharp is a National Health and Medical Research Foundation Emerging Leadership Fellow at Monash University, and Research […]

Fostering Inclusivity Outdoors through Emotional Safety

Virtual

For many, outdoor therapy approaches focus on scaling the most dangerous climb, summiting the largest mountain, or surviving on little means in remote settings. What if there is another way to make the outdoors count through emotional safety and inclusivity? Tanya Ginwala is a psychologist, outdoor facilitator, and adventure and nature-based therapist. In this presentation, Tanya brings her passion for facilitating therapeutic nature connection and adventure experiences that focus on physical, social and emotional safety. Her practice is informed by narrative therapy, applied Mahayana Buddhism, somatic trauma healing approaches and the field of experiential and outdoor education. Tanya is the India representative in the International Adventure Therapy Committee. In her free time, Tanya enjoys spending time in the pine forests by her home in Dharamshala with her dog Ziggy, reading, napping in the sun and discovering new music. Register your attendance here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/fostering-inclusivity-outdoors-through-emotional-safety-w-tanya-ginwala-tickets-695975500457?aff=oddtdtcreator

Free

Held Hostage: National values, diplomacy and friendship

Virtual

The 2023 Plimsoll Lecture by Australian economist, and political prisoner Dr Sean Turnell. Even before Sean Turnell spent 650 days of wrongful imprisonment in Myanmar, his story was remarkable. From humble working-class beginnings in the suburbs of Sydney, Sean followed his humanitarian heart and become a world-class expert on the Burmese economy, believing that the right economic policies could provide prosperity for its suffering people. It was this reputation and philosophy that led him to becoming the economic advisor of Myanmar’s democratically elected leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Three days after Suu Kyi was deposed in a military coup and arrested, Sean was placed in solitary confinement by armed military police under fabricated charges. During his long imprisonment in Myanmar, friends, fellow economists, institutions, and governments from around the world rallied together in a remarkable campaign for his release. Join Dr Sean Turnell for the 2023 Plimsoll lecture, and listen to his extraordinary story of hope, resilience, and the power of friends. What unfolds in this conversation will be more than just personal reflections, but also deep insights into the dynamics of international relations, the role of civil society, and the power of unity in promoting democratic values worldwide.

Class Inequality in Australia, in Academia and Beyond

Virtual

Part one (35 mins talk; 15 mins Q&A): Presentation: Class in Australia, by Associate Professor Steven Threadgold, University of Newcastle and Associate Professor Jessica Gerrard, University of Melbourne. Part two (approx 30 mins): Panel Q&A: Intersectional perspectives on being (working) classed and in the Australian Academy Panel members: Associate Professor Emma Gavin, Faculty of Education, Monash University Dr Shannon Kilmartin-Lynch, School of Engineering, RMIT University Dr Sherene Idriss, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University Dr Sarah Attfield, School of Communication, University of Technology Sydney Dr Gene Flenady, Department of Philosophy, Monash University