What are universities for today? The usefulness of "useless" knowledge
Are our universities facing an existential crisis by trying to be too many things? Places for learning, research, the production of new knowledge, the production of job-ready graduates, and profit-making enterprises? Does everything they do have to produce a tangible, measurable, practical, or profitable outcome? Should they also foster intellectual life and the pursuit of ideas just for curiosity's sake? Or is that an elite, outdated mission? Who gets to judge what knowledge is deemed useless or useful? Join Big ideas host Natasha Mitchell with guests to mark the 25th anniversary of the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Western Australia.SpeakersAssociate Professor Oron Catts, Academic lead of the Institute of Advanced Studies, pioneering artist and founder of Symbiotica: The Centre of Excellence in Biological ArtsDr Jessyca Hutchens, Palyku woman, art historian, indigenous studies lecturer and co-director of the Berndt Museum, University of Western Australia.Terri-Ann White, former founding director of the Institute for Advanced Studies, former head of UWA Publishing, and founder of the independent publishing house UpswellFurther readingThe Usefulness of Useless Knowledge by Abraham Flexnor (Harpers, 1939)Famous educator and reformer Abraham Flexnor was founder of the first Institute for Advanced Study in 1930. Albert Einstein was a member of its founding faculty and at least 37 Nobel Laureates have found an intellectual home there since.
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Jane Caro — why Australia is failing our school system
We often hear about "failing schools", but what if it is us, the Australian community, who are failing them? Public school advocate Jane Caro argues that Australia's pursuit of school choice, and the tax payer funding that enables it, has come at a huge cost to the school system, to children's education, and to our broader society.The 2025 Dymphna Clark Lecture at Manning Clark House was recorded on 26 August 2025.SpeakersJane Caro — Author, The Mother, Lyrebird, What Makes a Good School? and more, columnist, commentator, former advertising copywriter, academic, public schools advocate
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Coming Out and Inviting In — with Zoe Terakes, Nina Oyama, Mon Schafter, Atari Metcalf, Ji Wallace
Join ABC's Mon Schafter and four incredible speakers as they share honest, powerful stories about revealing their identities on their own terms. From fear to freedom, isolation to community - this is a conversation about truth, courage, and connection. Held in recognition of 40 years of ACON, it celebrates every journey of coming out and shines a light on personal stories, collective resilience, and the power of being seen.SupportIf this conversation raises any concerns for you, QLife is an Australia-wide anonymous and free peer support service for LGBTIQ+ people. Call 1800 184 527 or webchat 3pm-9pm every day at qlife.org.auABCQueer’s list of LGBTQIA+ community support services in Australia.SpeakersNina OyamaAustralian comedian, writer, actress and directorJi WallaceAustralian trampoline gymnast and Olympic silver medallistZoe TerakesAustralian actor; author of Eros: Queer Myths for LoversDr Atari MetcalfGP in NSWMon Schafter (host)Walkley Award-winning journalist, presenter and producer, founding editor of ABC Queer
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Searching for convivencia — philosopher AC Grayling makes peace in the culture wars
If you're a feminist, or pro-civil or gay rights, does that make you "woke"? And if you're not, does that mean you should be cancelled, or abused online, or lose your job? So many of our public debates nowadays are divided along these lines, but is there a better way?This event was recorded at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival. To explore more Melbourne Writers Festival talks, visit mwf.com.au.SpeakersAC Grayling Philosopher, author, Discriminations: Making peace in the culture wars, and many more, Principal of Northeastern University London, and its Professor of PhilosophyEsther Anatolitis (host) Editor, arts and culture advocate, leader, commentator, author, When Australia Became a Republic, former Meanjin editor
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The Sophia Club live philosophy — what are friends for?
Friends are different from family. We choose them and they choose us. Philosophers long wondered about what makes friendship such a distinctive relationship in our lives. Is being a good friend a kind of moral virtue? Can friends help us find our true selves? What about the dark and difficult side of friendship — toxic friends and frenemies? How is the love between friends different from romantic love? Join Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell and guests at the Sophia Club, a live philosophy event series held in Melbourne, London and New York. It is produced by Aeon Media, publishers of Aeon and Psyche.SpeakersMark Alfano — Professor of philosophy at Macquarie University, author of Moral Psychology: An Introduction, and Nietzsche's Moral Psychology.Dr Peter Knight — multi-award winning composer, trumpeter and electroacoustic musician, former artistic director of the Australian Art Orchestra.Sunny Kim — internationally renowned South Korean-born vocalist, composer, improviser, and senior lecturer in the jazz and improvisation at the University of Melbourne.Thank you to Sam Dresser (senior editor), Brigid Hains (editorial director and co-founder), and colleagues at Aeon Media.
Feed your mind. Be provoked. One big idea at a time. Your brain will love you for it. Grab your front row seat to the best live forums and festivals with Natasha Mitchell.
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