CDU Public Lecture Series 2008
The CDU Public Lecture Series aims to provide a platform for the University's leading academics to showcase how their field of expertise relates to today's critical issues.
The lectures take place at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Conacher Street, Bullocky Point, Darwin.
Admission to all lectures is free. Lectures take place from 6pm to 7pm, with refreshments afterwards until 8pm.
May series
Tuesday May 6 - Aboriginal Cultures and Identity: The debate that we have to have!
Professor MaryAnn Bin-Sallik, Dean of Indigenous Research and Education
While the words of Prime Minister Rudd’s apology speech are still ringing in our ears, and many of us still have that warm and fuzzy feeling, I believe it’s time to open up debate on the terms “urban” and “traditional” and of “Indigenous descent” as used to define and categorise Aboriginal Australians. Not only are these categories inappropriate, they serve to divide us.
This lecture will demonstrate the inappropriateness of these categories from an Aboriginal perspective. This is indeed a controversial topic. Such topics are rarely discussed in an open forum. Therefore, my intention in this instance is to start the debate in the hope that it gains objective momentum.
Media and audio
2 May 2008: Aboriginal cultures and identity - what do they mean? Read more >>
Download theaudio file (.mp3, 19.8MB) from Professor Bin-Sallik's presentation.
Tuesday May 13 - The Shaping of an Australian Voice - The Landscape and 20th Century Composition in Australia
Mr Adrian Walter, Dean of Law, Business and Arts
Throughout the 20th Century, Australian composers have been influenced by the unique landscape and environment in which they live. Composers such as Peter Sculthorpe and Ross Edwards are some of the most notable. They have developed an intimate relationship with the landscape, a creative driver that has allowed the development of a uniquely expressive voice.
This lecture will explore the relationship between composer and landscape that has culminated in the emergence of a compositional voice that is perceived as identifiable and uniquely Australian. Both Sculthorpe and Edwards have been regular visitors to the Top End, attracted to a landscape that has shaped many of their compositions. With musical examples, visuals and performances, Adrian Walter will present a fascinating insight into how the Territory landscape has connected with and inspired the creation of new music.
Media
09 May 2008: Shaping an Australian voice: free public lecture Read more >>
Download the audio file (.mp3, 13.4MB) from Mr Walter's presentation.
Tuesday May 20 - Adrenaline mimics – it’s been a rush!
Professor Graham Pegg, Dean of Education, Health and Science
In this public seminar, Graham will discuss his long-standing research interests in heart and asthma drugs which mimic the natural hormone adrenaline. He will describe how his group discovered that some of these drugs also have significant anabolic effects and the implications of this for drugs in sport, livestock production, and for possible new classes of anti-obesity and heart drugs. Following the adrenaline mimic theme further into illicit drug classes, he will discuss his more recent interests in the forensic chemistry of methamphetamine profiling and related street drugs.
Media
16 May 2008: Adrenaline mimics - it's been a rush! Read more >>
Download the audio file (.mp3, 12MB) from Professor Graham Pegg's presentation
Tuesday May 27 - Closing the loop. Challenge and change in early childhood education
Professor Alison Elliott, Head of School, Education
Early childhood education is on the political and community radar as never before. Good early childhood experiences underpin successful transition to school and later academic success. Despite this, early childhood education provision is fragile and fragmented and often expensive. Many young children miss out all together. Australia has some of the best and the worst services for children. This presentation highlights the importance of early learning to wellbeing and academic and social success. It spotlights some of the challenges in providing equitable early learning experiences and outcomes for all young children and presents a vision for integrated education and care that capitalises on contemporary knowledge about children's learning, development and education.
Media
23 May 2008: Early childhood education under the microscope Read more >>
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