Join Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Sydney, and get ready to view the world from a different perspective.
From our own wellbeing to the preservation of the planet, The Solutionists dives into the most pressing issues of our time and introduces you to the people unearthing the seeds of remarkable solutions.
26 November 2025
In parts of Australia, children as young as 10 years old can be tried as adults for committing certain crimes. But youth justice researchers like Jioji Ravulo say the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that a punitive approach to youth crime doesn’t make people safer, and it ends up hurting kids. He advocates instead for a model built on social work and understanding.
12 November 2025
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Australia and worldwide, and as our population ages, it will only become more common. The burden on our hospital system is already extreme, and will only get worse. What do we do? Cardiologist Dr Clara Chow is committed to finding frugal solutions to problems like these, and she believes something as simple as a text message could make a huge difference...
29 October 2025
The human body functions on an almost perfect 24-hour cycle, our ‘circadian rhythm.’ A consistent circadian rhythm is crucial for physical and mental health, but today that’s increasingly difficult to maintain. Our circadian rhythms are controlled by our exposure to light from the sun – but today, most of us live in ‘light-polluted environments,’ which may just be making us sick...
15 October 2025
Growing food is one of the most fundamental human activities – so what happens when humans are no longer the ones growing our food? That’s already a reality in Australia, at least in part. Salah Sukkarieh, the Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at the University of Sydney, explains how robots are already solving major labour problems on farms today, and shares his predictions for a more efficient – and equitable agricultural future.
1 October 2025
Can you be friends with someone who doesn’t know you exist? Does Taylor Swift trick her fans into thinking they’re real-life friends? Parasocial relationships aren’t new, but they’re changing dramatically in the age of social media and AI. Fan culture expert Georgia Carroll breaks down what these relationships are, how they can go too far, and how the right kind can be a meaningful part of a healthy social life.