Fearless Conversations

Join us for our final Fearless Conversation of 2022 as we explore the cultural and social shifts on the Australian mainstage and the increased demand for authenticity in performance over the past decade.

Our esteemed panel examined the identity positions of the artists, directors and producers themselves, and how the stories they tell and the work they deliver have evolved to meet the needs of an industry seeking to centre diverse stories.

Flinders University is represented by Professor of Drama Dr Chris Hay, an Australian theatre and cultural historian along with Gaelle Mellis, Creative Director of Tutti Arts, Nescha Jelk, Director of Single Asian Female, and Carissa Lee, a Noongar actor, writer and editor born on Wemba-Wemba country.

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Join us to explore the connection between genetics and environmental factors, such as stress, in mental health outcomes and how we, as a society, could be doing more to reduce the burden on families and communities.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we uncover the current state of knowledge around mental health prevention and the response and treatment of people experiencing mental health issues.

The panel is facilitated by 7NEWS Presenter Mark Soderstrom and includes Associate Professor of Psychology Sarah Cohen-Woods of Flinders University, South Australian Mental Health Commissioners John Mannion and David Kelly, headspace Program Manager Jessica Morgan, and Executive Manager for Youth Services at Sonder Steven Wright.

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The inaugural Fearless Conversations from our Next Generation in partnership with The Advertiser. Hear from three students from years 9-10, who appeared on stage discussing their fearless ideas to create a better future for all South Australians. Each student submitted a 30-sec video telling us about an important topic that matters to them, and these students were selected to lead this panel discussion live on stage at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Watch the recording

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We are an interconnected and interdependent world. A crisis in one country can quickly impact the health, cultures and economies of societies around the globe.

The war in Ukraine. The conflict in Syria. The COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these crises has resulted in significant localised and immediate emergency situations, which have later spread to cause vast and wide-reaching global impacts upon business, trade, political landscapes, and societal health and wellbeing, just to name a few.

So, what is the fallout of these global emergencies and how well equipped are we to respond to and combat future crises?

Facilitated by Jess Adamson, the 2022 Investigator Lecture featured Reverend Tim Costello - one of Australia’s most respected community leaders and a sought-after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics along with a panel of experts including Professor Paul Arbon AM, PhD FACN, FAAN, Professor Leonard Notaras AO and Erick Tlozek.

https://www.flinders.edu.au/engage/culture/investigator-lecture

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We are an interconnected and interdependent world. A crisis in one country can quickly impact the health, cultures and economies of societies around the globe.

The war in Ukraine. The conflict in Syria. The COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these crises has resulted in significant localised and immediate emergency situations, which have later spread to cause vast and wide-reaching global impacts upon business, trade, political landscapes, and societal health and wellbeing, just to name a few.

So, what is the fallout of these global emergencies and how well equipped are we to respond to and combat future crises?

Facilitated by Jess Adamson, the 2022 Investigator Lecture featured Reverend Tim Costello - one of Australia’s most respected community leaders and a sought-after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics along with a panel of experts including Professor Paul Arbon AM, PhD FACN, FAAN, Professor Leonard Notaras AO and Erick Tlozek.

https://www.flinders.edu.au/engage/culture/investigator-lecture

Have your say. Join the Fearless Network. Or visit for more information.

Our latest Fearless Conversations explores what the Federal Government’s new climate change bill, which is committed to a 43% emissions reduction by 2030, will mean outside of Parliament and how extreme weather events and changes to seasonal conditions affect our community and economy, as well as specific industries such as agriculture.

In recognition of National Science Week (13 – 21 August) you will hear from experts who have turned their passion into practice by dedicating their careers to either studying the earth’s weather and ocean patterns or creating a more sustainable world for all.

Our expert panel includes Associate Professor Cassandra Star, Senior Lecturer Dr Graziela Miot da Silva, Malcolm Leask, Owner and Director of McLaren Vale winery Hither & Yon, SA’s first carbon neutral certified wine brand and Peter Nattrass, Manager, Future Industries at Department for Energy and Mining.

The discussion is facilitated by 7NEWS Journalist and Presenter, Jane Doyle OAM.

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Join us for an important conversation about the state of education in South Australia and whether our children and young people are on the right track for a bright, resilient, and successful future.

Are we designing quality pedagogy - the method of teaching - and supporting our next generation of teachers and educational professionals?

How are digital technologies and new innovations influencing learning and how do we ensure the outdoors are still a crucial part of a child's learning environment?

In this engaging discussion, we'll also explore the impact of the massive disruption the COVID-19 pandemic has on education and how it has shifted the physical, social and emotional domains of learning.

The expert panel includes Martin Westwell, Chief Executive, Department for Education and Flinders University represented by Joss Rankin, a Senior Lecturer in Physical and Outdoor Education, and an advocate for health and wellbeing in young people, and Dr Andrew Bills, Lecturer in Educational Leadership and Management.

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View this important conversation about the factors behind financial security and what might impact the stability of your future. This Fearless discussion explores the hot topics around superannuation, including what retirement looks like for most Australians today and why the medium super balance is more for men than women.

Our expert panel explores price rises in the cost of essential goods such as electricity, gas, housing and petrol and how this is impacting Australian households today. Finally, we'll delve into cryptocurrencies and NFTs - what exactly is behind the hype, and more importantly, should we still be paying attention?

This Fearless Conversation is facilitated by 7NEWS Journalist and Presenter, Mark Soderstrom, and Flinders University will be represented by Dr Michelle Yeong, Senior Lecturer in Accounting in the College of Business, Government and Law. Also joining our panel are business leaders David Robertson, Chief Economist, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Nick Peacock, Director of Milestone Project Management and Tristan Barnes, South Australian State Manager, UniSuper Advice.

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Ahead of National Reconciliation Week 2022, this episode will explore how to continue advancing Indigenous participation in higher education and beyond; and will discuss issues of justice, rights and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community priorities and aspirations.

Facilitated by 7NEWS Journalist and Presenter, Jane Doyle OAM, the panel includes Hon Kyam Maher - Attorney-General of SA and Shona Reid - CEO of Reconciliation SA, along with Flinders University's Associate Professor Simone Ulalka Tur - Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) and Uncle Richard Fejo - Senior Elder on campus in Darwin.

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As our world continues to contend with COVID-19 and recover from recent disasters such as floods and bushfires, the responsibility placed on those in power has no doubt increased. How has the pandemic and other events affected democratic responsiveness? Have the events of the past two years made us question the ability of our political leaders? What do we need from our politicians and changemakers in times of uncertainty – and are we receiving it now?

Hear from our expert panel including Deputy Premier and Flinders University alumni Hon Susan Close MP, Associate Professor Dr Rob Manwaring, Lucy Hood MP, Rebekha Sharkie MP and facilitated by Channel 7's political reporter Mike Smithson.

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