Sydney Ideas podcast

Nano revolution: taking medicine and health to the next level

• Hear how nanotechnology is unlocking new ways to understand human biology. Scientists expect discoveries in this field will completely revolutionise medicine, from detecting arterial blockages to neural disorders in the brain. Listen to the podcast

Leadership for good: combating viral panic, misinformation

• Our panel, including an epidemiologist, a historian, politician, student leader and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, examine the social and political responses to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) outbreak. Has fear of the disease taken on a racial dimension? Listen to the podcast + access transcript

Tides: from curious Kimberley to cannibalistic black holes

• Why does the Earth have two tides a day? What causes spring and neap tides? Astronomer Don Kurtz uncovers the fascinating and mysterious topic of tides.  

COVID-19: what are the facts?

• What can we do to prepare and response to this rapidly developing situation? On Wednesday 11 March we hosted an information session with academic experts from the University of Sydney to answer critical questions, from health facts to broader societal implications in Australia. Listen to the podcast

To the point: mental health and COVID-19

• It's an uncertain time. People are anxious. So, how do we communicate and channel our anxiety to respond productively? Professor Ian Hickie, co-director of Brain and Mind Centre, gives us insights into mental health in Australia and how it's being impacted by COVID-19. Listen to the podcast + access transcript

COVID-19: fear and anxiety

• The situation around COVID-19 is evolving at an astounding rate. Thinking beyond the physical health ramifications to the mental health, anxiety, communication and sense-making aspects, our panel looks at what's going on and do their best to make sense of the rapidly shifting series of events. Listen to the podcast + access transcript

To the point: how we talk about COVID-19

• Particularly at this time, the way we talk about the disease and the current situation, can be helpful or harmful, comforting or confusing. What should we be conscious of? We speak with linguist Nick Enfield. Listen to the podcast + access transcript