The highly anticipated SXSW Sydney festival returns 13-19 October, inviting professionals from business, tech, government, health, marketing, and creative industries to connect and collaborate. A program of more than 550 sessions will uncover emerging industry and cultural trends, and offer audiences practical insights into new technologies and ways of thinking.

This year, the University of Sydney once again takes centre stage, with staff, students, and alumni among the festival’s exciting lineup of over 1,000 speakers. Find out how they are bringing their ideas for a better future to the festival.

Oct 13, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

In this panel session for entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders, Professor David Reilly and other experts will provide an insider look at the commercial realities—and opportunities—of quantum tech.  

Oct 13, 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM

Can something as simple as the result of a coin toss influence our behaviour?

In this thought-provoking session, Dr Eliane Deschrijver shares new research from the University of Sydney that has found people tend to discriminate in favour of individuals who show a similarity to them, even when the similarity arises from a random event like the flip of a coin.

This talk explores the power of chance events to trigger bias, and what this means for understanding human behaviour in everyday life.

Oct 14, 11:30am, Darling Harbour Theatre

Join Professor Richard Scolyer AO (MD ‘06) in this conversation with Holly Ransom, as they discuss his groundbreaking professional and personal journey.

University of Sydney Professor and co-medical director of the Melanoma Institute Australia, Scolyer was named 2024 joint Australian of the Year for developing a revolutionary approach to treating melanomas.

Oct 14, 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM

Associate Professor Sandra Peter and Professor Kai Riemer return to SXSW Sydney for the 2026 Skills Horizon, back by popular demand after a blockbuster debut in 2025.

An essential guide to skills that are shaping the future, this event will see Sandra and Kai explore the major changes unfolding around us in all areas of life—from values and trust, to work and tech—revealing key skills we can all learn to thrive in a time of uncertainty and rapid transformation.

Oct 15, 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Join Professor Jim Rabeau (Deteqt CEO) in this discussion about how quantum sensing is transforming industries. 

The most commercially ready quantum tech, Deteqt’s diamond-on-silicon technology is at the forefront of the quantum revolution, enabling highly precise detection for navigation, critical mineral detection, healthcare, and other applications. 

Learn more about how this technology will unlock new capabilities and waves of innovation across industries. 

Oct 15, 12:45 PM - 01:45 PM

Join Alexis Weaver, composer, sound artist and Associate Lecturer in music technology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and University of Sydney alumni Kartini Ludwig, in this session exploring how musicians can harness AI.

This workshop will build on recent collaborations and insights from Koup Music and Brand Music. 

Oct 15, 01:30 PM - 01:45 PM

The growth of complex, lab-grown 3D human brain models—living systems that replicate brain structure and function—are challenging the very foundations of how we study consciousness, treat neurological disease, and build interfaces between biology and technology.

In this talk, Henry Howard will uncover what challenges and opportunities these “brain-on-chips” present. What will happen when we integrate AI with tissue-engineered cognition, or when these brain models begin to communicate? Can these models eradicate animal testing, and build the infrastructure for a new era of neural computing?

Oct 15, 02:00 PM - 02:30 PM

Father-daughter University of Sydney reseaerchers Dr Mike Seymour (BSc ’87, MBA ’20, PhD ’20) and Katherine Seymour (BSc/BAdvStudies '22) explore what sheep sperm can teach us about human intelligence and AI, and who truly has the upper hoof.

By applying advanced AI techniques such as reinforcement learning, researchers developed an innovative training tool to help standardise sperm morphology—a critical area of agricultural science. But in an unexpected twist, human learners didn’t just keep pace with the AI—they RAMped up their skills and surpassed machine accuracy. 

In this engaging debate, Mike and Katherine will explore how humans can work with AI to maximise productivity and elevate human learning.

Oct 18, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The brightest student innovators from tertiary institutions across Australia and Singapore take centre stage in the inaugural SXSW Sydney Student Pitch. Two of the 10 visionary teams that will present bold ideas are from the University of Sydney; Albon, a climate-tech venture building modular algae treatment systems to treat agriculture and food sector wastewater, and Grazemate, a start-up developing AI-equipped autonomous drones to automate livestock management. 

The winning team will score a spot on the global stage at SXSW 2026 or SXSW London, plus a $2,000 travel grant.

Experience an in-conversation event with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (MBBS '87) about science communication, and his ability to explain complex concepts with engaging enthusiasm.

Jessie Stephens (BA '13), Australian writer, editor, novelist, television presenter and podcast host, will be part of the SXSW Sydney panel, 'Defining Voices in Women's Media'.