re universities and colleges fit for purpose in a world of growing climate extremes? What is academia doing to tackle the climate emergency and what more needs to be done? Are vice-chancellors and presidents going far enough and fast enough in a carbon-constrained world? Are deans and departmental heads embracing more holistic curricula or locked into defending disciplinary silos? Can any academic institution claim to be truly Sustainable?

Organised by Global Climate Change Week in the run-up to COP-26 in Glasgow, Scotland, and in the shadow of the Fifth Assessment Report of the International Panel on Climate Change, our high-level panel of senior academic leaders will provide the latest thinking on these and other questions to ensure Higher Education joins the push for much broader and deeper cuts to carbon emissions.

Drawing together the top leaders of the world’s academic climate action initiatives, our virtual panel aims to inspire universities and colleges - and all those within them and their wider communities - to undertake more radical change faster. Targeting academics, students, professional staff, and alumni members, join us in early October to debate the existential issue of our time.


Professor Lesley Hughes, Distinguished Professor of Biology and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity & Development) Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia.

Panelists:
Professor Rufus Black, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania, Australia, and leading the Global Climate Change Week initiative
Professor Ian Jacobs, Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, Australia, and leading the International Universities Climate Alliance initiative
Professor James Longhurst, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Environment & Sustainability, of the University of the West of England and leading EAUC, the Climate Leadership in Higher Education initiative
Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Global Affairs, the University of the West Indies, and leading the Global University Consortium on SDG-13 initiatives
Steve Muzzy, Climate Programs Senior Manager, leading the Second Nature initiative

Climate Action Leadership In A Volatile World

Eight teenagers and a nun took the Environment Minister, the Honourable Sussan Ley MP, to court. Join First Dog on the Moon in conversation with the enviro teens to find out what happened next…

Duty Of Care, Duty Of Care - 2021 Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture

Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis. Prices have skyrocketed, labour and materials have become scarce, and rental affordability is a whimsical memory.

The pressure is on all levels of government to find solutions.

The Government took policies for a 10-billion-dollar Housing Australia Future Fund and a National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation to the election, designed to deliver 30,000 new houses by the end of the decade. 

How will funds be spent, and risks be managed? Is there an opportunity to breathe life into regions where services and infrastructure fail to support population growth? What tools are available to government to underpin such far reaching policies? 

Join Peter Poulet from the Greater Cities Commission, for the 2022 Sir Patrick Abercrombie lecture. Find out how lessons from the past might provide solutions for our housing crisis.

The 2022 Sir Patrick Abercrombie Lecture

Secrets of the natural world often lurk in places we could never dream of going ourselves. These secrets are crucial in the unfolding battle against climate change. Join our experts to discover how the Southern Ocean is keeping the planet from overheating and how scientists find out this hidden crucial information from the plants and animals living in the extraordinary world of the Southern Ocean.

Unsung Heroes: Southern Ocean vs. climate change

Amid the increasing threat of unavoidable bushfires, our community confronts a pressing challenge: how do we prepare for the inevitable? As fires become more frequent and intense, the need for proactive measures grows urgent, but is Tasmania ready?

Join the experts as they explore strategies that might fortify us against a catastrophic fire event. Together, we'll challenge assumptions, share insights, and discover pathways toward preparedness.

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Forging a Fire-Ready Future

Author and provocateur, Clive Hamilton, says Australia cannot influence the climate we will be living with through this century. His new book, Living Hot, says harsh times are coming, and we should channel our resources into preparing for life on a hotter planet.
Is he right? Do we have our priorities back-to-front? We want to know more!
Join Clive and a panel of University of Tasmania experts as they discuss the ins and outs. Don't miss this hot conversation!

The experts:
  -  Professor Clive Hamilton, author and Professor of Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University
  -  Professor Gretta Pecl, Australian marine ecologist, lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth 
  -  Assessment Report and Director, Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania
  -  Professor Michael Rose, Director, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania
  -  Professor Richard Eccleston, Director, Tasmanian Policy Exchange, University of Tasmania
  -  Dr Andrew Constable, Quantitative Marine Ecologist and modeller, lead author (decision-making) for the IPCC 6th Assessment, and Associate, Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania
  -  Professor Jan McDonald, Professor of Environmental and Climate Law, University of Tasmania’

Can We Survive on a Hotter Planet?

Join Lara Giddings AO, Saul Eslake, Erin Cooper-Douglas, Charlie Burton and Rob Hortle to discuss the future of democracy in our Tasmania. Explore fresh ideas for building faith in our government and think critically about how we might innovate and improve democratic processes, ensuring they reflect Tasmanian values and needs.

Democracy Done Differently

In Hobart, the removal of a statue of a former Tasmanian Premier and surgeon sparked community debate. This talk will consider questions arising from the debate, including why removal was necessary, what it means for Tasmania, and how we might respectfully and inclusively represent our history in public places.

Tasmania’s Hidden History: Art, power and truth

What makes us vulnerable to misleading information, even when we suspect it’s false? How deeply can misinformation affect our actions? Cognitive psychology expert, Professor Ullrich Ecker tackles these crucial questions, exploring why certain narratives take root, how they influence our thinking and behaviour, and what strategies can help us navigate today’s complex media landscape.

Fact or Fake: The Psychology of Misinformation

Rosie Batty joins Dr Carmel Hobbs to talk about her journey from tragedy to advocacy, offering lessons on resilience, community action, and finding hope.

Hope and Leadership with Rosie Batty

What does it take to hold world leaders accountable for their actions? What are the legal and political implications of pursuing such powerful figures for international crimes?

The decision of the International Criminal Court Prosecutor to pursue high-profile leaders like Putin and Netanyahu is bold. These arrest warrants are not just about the charges themselves – they spark crucial conversations about accountability, justice, and the global enforcement of the rule of law.

Join international law expert, Professor Alex Whiting, to explore the legal foundations behind these arrest warrants, the challenges of bringing sitting world leaders to justice, and the wider impact on global diplomacy and international law. This talk will provide you with insights into the complexities of international justice and the power struggles at play on the global stage.

Find out about upcoming Island of Ideas events at www.utas.edu.au/about/events/island-of-ideas/ 

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Arrest Warrants for Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu

Is Tasmania’s financial future at risk? Economist Saul Eslake unpacks the Government’s response to his independent review and what it means for us all.

Find out about upcoming Island of Ideas events at www.utas.edu.au/about/events/island-of-ideas/ 

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Tasmania’s Debt Dilemma with Saul Eslake

We’re all getting older - so why does society treat ageing like a problem to be solved? From anti-ageing creams to Botox to ‘boomer vs. millennial’ debates, ageing is framed as something to fear, fight, or fix. But who profits from these narratives, and what do they cost us?

This conversation peels back the layers of our obsession with resisting ageing. How do media, policy, and power shape how we see ageing? What does this cultural narrative mean for you, and what does ‘ageing well’ really mean - and who gets to do it?

Join Associate Professor Peta Cook as she challenges you to think about growing older as something to embrace, rather than erase.  Tickets are essential, secure yours now to avoid missing out.

Find out about upcoming Island of Ideas events at www.utas.edu.au/about/events/island-of-ideas/ 

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The Age Illusion and Myth

Amid global instability, including the second Trump administration, Australia has been slow to confront the scale of international risk. The 2025 Sir James Plimsoll Lecture explores how the nation, well beyond just government, can build resilience and engage a changing world with clarity and purpose.

Australian Resilience and Preparedness in the New World Disorder

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already reading minds, literally. Brain-computer interfaces can let people send messages or move prosthetic limbs just by thinking. But while AI offers incredible breakthroughs in medicine and safety, it’s also being used to exploit, deceive, and disrupt.

How do we harness AI’s potential while guarding against its dangers? From cybersecurity threats and digital exploitation to the future of work and medicine, this panel of experts will explore some of the risks and rewards of AI’s rapid rise.

The Promise and Perils of AI

In a world increasingly defined by protracted crises and mass displacement, the urgent need to protect the safety, dignity and rights of vulnerable populations has never been more pressing. This year’s Red Cross Oration will tackle the challenges faced by individuals displaced by violence, the protection of human dignity under extreme circumstances, and the evolving role of global institutions in ensuring that these crises are met with meaningful solutions.

Hear from two globally recognised experts who are at the forefront of the fight to protect vulnerable populations in conflict. With experience in the courtroom, on the ground in crisis zones, and at the policy table, they will explore the complex challenges of safeguarding human dignity and holding perpetrators accountable in times of war.

Safeguarding the Vulnerable in Conflict

The effects of America’s transformation under Trump are already rippling through Australia - in trade, health, and equality. Our experts unpack what’s happening now, and what’s coming next.

Australia and the Trump Effect

New global research is revealing that long-held ideas about masculinity shape far more than personal identity. Find out how far reaching the impact is, from labour force participation to suicide rates and political attitudes.

Beyond the Breadwinner

An Antarctic voyage, a melting glacier, and a warming ocean. Discover what four science agencies found at the remote Denman Glacier, and why it matters for all of us.

Voyage to Antarctica’s Floodgates

Ideas, debate and discussion - for and from Tasmania. Our vibrant and informative public talks and forums are now available as podcasts.

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