Dialogues Across Difference
In a shared effort to strengthen understanding, respect and cohesion across our UQ community, We have developed a campus culture speaker series 'Dialogues Across Difference'.
The series has been created in partnership with students and staff and aims to create a space for diverse perspectives and thoughtful dialogue, all within a respectful and inclusive environment.
With 3 events each semester, ‘Dialogues Across Difference’ brings together leading experts and voices from across campus life to engage in meaningful conversation, explore different ideas, and challenge our assumptions. The series includes a mixture of individual talks, panel discussions, and audience participation.
To extend the conversation, podcasts will be made available following the on-campus events.
Upcoming events
The next events will be planned for Semester 1, 2026. Stay tuned for details.
Podcasts
Why is it so hard to talk?
Over the past decade, having respectful conversations and debate, especially about the big issues, has become more challenging. We live in a world where trust is declining, information is non-stop and algorithms are feeding us more of what we already believe. We explore how we can have better, more respectful conversations and debate – even when we don’t agree.
Listen to Why is it so hard to talk?
Speakers
Narrator: Professor Heather Zwicker, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Campus, Culture and Leadership).
Professor Matthew Hornsey
Perspective: Declining trust in science
Matthew's research focuses on why people reject scientific and technological evidence, and what makes it so hard to have constructive conversations about these issues. He examines the psychological forces that drive or block pro-environmental action, and how group dynamics and polarisation can deepen divides.
Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA
Perspective: Truth, trust and healing
Jackie is an Aboriginal Australian author, historian, academic and advocate for Indigenous rights. Professor Huggins is a long advocate for Reconciliation and is an historian and author who has spent more than four decades working across all spheres for social justice, recognition and all issues surrounding Indigenous Australians.
Dr Bethany Mackay
Perspective: Polarisation and safety
Beth is a clinical psychologist and a leader in student wellbeing and mental health services in the Australian higher education sector. She is UQ’s Director, Student Support and Wellbeing Services overseeing proactive engagement, education, safety, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion initiatives as well as counselling and mental health response services.
The fraught context
This podcast unpacks the complexities of modern debate, examining the factors that make discussions challenging. It looks at the current socio-political environment as a catalyst for disagreement, emotional intensity, and how misinformation and polarisation is contributing to fraught conversations.
Speakers
Narrator: Professor Heather Zwicker, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Campus, Culture and Leadership).
Dr Anne Kruger
Perspective: Misinformation and disinformation
Anne is a leading expert in digital research and practice, empowering external media organisations and communications stakeholders to address misinformation. Anne was a contributor to Australia's first misinformation and disinformation regulatory code of practice.
Dr Kiri Ingram
Perspective: Online radicalisation
Kiri is a Lecturer in the School of Political Science and International Studies. Her research focuses on the intersection of gender and international politics, particularly in the context of extremist movements and peacebuilding.
Professor Andrew Phillips
Perspective: Social media
Andrew is a Professor in the School of Political Science and International Studies. His research focuses on war, strategy and international order, with a particular focus on Great Power rivalry and asymmetric violence as drivers of transformative change in world politics.
Shahzaib Farhan
Perspective: Students’ lived experiences - social media and young adults
Shahzaib is a current UQ student studying Law and Political Science and is one of the 26 UQ Union Councillors.
Tools for civil discourse
In this podcast, speakers share practical tools for having respectful and inclusive debates. They discuss how to actively listen, understand different perspectives, challenge ideas (not people), and practice empathy—so everyone feels heard and valued.
Listen to Tools for civil discourse
Speakers
Narrator: Professor Heather Zwicker, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Campus, Culture and Leadership).
Associate Professor Morgan Brigg
Perspective: Tools from mediation
Morgan is a political scientist focusing on cultural difference in peace and conflict, and also researches and publishes in international relations, law and dispute resolution, Indigenous politics, governance and public policy and international development. He is a qualified mediator.
Professor Thelma Parker
Perspective: Tools for collaboration
Thelma is the Associate Dean (Indigenous Engagement) in the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Science. A proud Waluwarra Wangkayujuru Wangkaymunha woman, she has more than 25 years’ experience in education, employment and training along with deep knowledge of state and national priorities.