In this Eureka Talk, explore the science behind the deadliest event of the 21st century. Australian Museum Eureka Prize winning journalist, Olivia Willis, sits down with world-leading evolutionary biologist and virologist, Professor Eddie Holmes, and our Chief Scientist and Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute, Professor Kris Helgen, to discuss what is being done to prevent future zoonotic outbreaks.

Explore how viruses move between hosts, and the debates over their origins. Learn about the triggers for virus mutations and the cutting-edge research and discoveries that are paving the way towards preventing the next pandemic. Discover the fascinating links between habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade and the next global health emergency.

Recorded live at the Australian Museum on 8 July 2023.

Eureka Talks - Zoonotic Diseases 20 October 2023

In the first instalment of the Australian Museum’s exclusive 'Egypt - In Conversation' series, curator and Egyptologist Dr Melanie Pitkin sits down with journalist and passionate Egyptophile Caroline Baum for 'An Introduction to Egypt'.

As the Senior Curator of the Nicholson collection of antiquities at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, Melanie shares insight into ancient Egyptians and their world view. Learn about key personalities, events and periods of pharaonic history to the interrelationship between religion and society.

An Introduction to Egypt - Live at the AM

Come on a journey to the afterlife with archaeologist Dr Anna-Latifa Mourad-Cizek as we explore everything from beliefs and practices to tombs and funerary equipment. 

‘I exist, I am alive, I am strong, I have awoken'.

Along with mummification, ceremonies and the creation of tombs, ancient Egyptians contrived hundreds of spells to safeguard their eternal existence.

Using key pieces from the exhibition Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, Macquarie University’s Dr Mourad-Cizek will explain how pharaohs, princesses, artists and others prepared to join the realm of the dead, to become eternally divine.

Journey To The Afterlife - Live at the AM

In the premiere event of our Saturday Lecture Series, Macquarie University Professor Malcolm Choat uncovers the history of KV7 - The tomb of Ramses the Great. 

Tomb KV7 had a life that extended beyond a pharaonic burial chamber. Ancient tourists inscribed their names and impressions on its walls, Christian monks made their homes there and transformed the necropolis into a holy city. A thousand years later, a new wave of tourists from Europe began recording their impressions of Egypt. Join Professor Malcolm Choat as he takes us on a journey through time to explore how the “afterlife” of the tomb of Ramses II - and the Theban Necropolis - teaches us as much about Ancient Egypt as the New Kingdom does.

In this captivating lecture, hosted by the Australian Museum’s Chief Experience Officer Russell Briggs, learn what happened in the years between the interment of the great Pharaoh in the 18th Dynasty, and the contemporary excavation of the tomb in the 19th Century.

The Afterlife Of Ramses II's Tomb - Live at the AM

Five years into his reign, Ramses undertook his most ambitious military action, attempting to wrest control of Kadesh from the Hittites. Join Associate Professor Ockinga as he unravels the complexities of one of the most famous battles in the ancient world and asks whether history is necessarily written by the victors.

Battle Of Kadesh - Live at the AM

Twice a year, sunlight sweeps into the chambers of The Great Temple at Abu Simbel, illuminating the face of Ramses II and marking the beginning of the flood and growing seasons. Temples were monuments to the pharaohs and the gods, reminding all of Egypt’s wealth and prosperity. For modern visitors, these temples stand as examples of the ingenuity and scope of human endeavour.

In the fourth instalment of our Saturday Lecture Series, we explore some of these monuments’ key architectural features; how kings, such as Ramses II used them to define and portray power and - in the case of Abu Simbel – as a means to harness the sun. Following the lecture, join in the conversation with a Q&A hosted by Professor of Architecture, Restoration Australia’s Anthony Burke.

Monumental Architecture: The Egyptian Temple - Live at the AM

In the 1980s, a new wave of Egyptomania emerged in Australia with the first touring exhibition from Cairo, but Australia’s fascination with Egypt’s ancient past had begun in the 19th century. Our attraction to the ancient world endured throughout the political swings and design trends of the early 20th century, and grew as Egypt hosted ANZACs for deployment in both World Wars.

Come with us to ‘Ramses Street’ as we explore the legacy of Ancient Egypt in Australia and discuss the current shift to untangle and address colonial narratives in museums. Hosted by Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.

Ramses Street: Ancient Egypt in Colonial Australia - Live at the AM

In this Eureka Talk, explore the wonderful diversity of Antarctica and learn how experts are fighting to save this region from the devastating effects of climate change. Hosted by Australian Museum Eureka Prize winner Dr Jackson Ryan, this panel discussion explores how the Antarctic landscape has changed over the past century, and the critical role of scientists, researchers and science communicators in striving to preserve our frozen continent.

Eureka Talks Series: Antarctica

Unceremoniously ejected from the Australian Museum 150 years ago, former AM Curator, Gerard Krefft, was Australia's first zoologist and helped foster a national understanding and appreciation for natural sciences. 

Join us for a free and fascinating discussion on 'Gerard Krefft: A Saga of Science and Scandal', held on Saturday 21 September 2024. 

Featuring AM Director and CEO Kim McKay AO; former Director Dr Des Griffin AM; and our Head of World Cultures, Archives & Library, Dr Vanessa Finney.

Gerard Krefft: A Saga of Science and Scandal

Professor of Architecture, and host of ABC TV's Grand Designs Australia, Anthony Burke, hosts this electrifying panel discussion dispelling the myth that a sustainable home is a “thing of the future”. Featuring Kate Minter (Managing Director, Rewiring Australia), Marc England (CEO, Ausgrid) and Tim Forcey (author and home efficiency expert), this session unveils some of the innovations and techniques available to homeowners and tenants to help build a better future now.

Powering Homes of the Future

Join Director and CEO Kim McKay AO in conversation with scientists from the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI) and experts in First Nations and Pacific cultures. When not 'in conversation', AMplify will bring the best from the AM’s live talks, giving you a front row seat at enlightening presentations from inspirational people.

Eureka Talks Series: Antarctica

Australian Museum

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