Big Ideas

Conspiracy theories have always been with us, but now they're finding new ways to get inside our heads and take hold — and Australia is seeding some uniquely homegrown varieties. Investigative technology journalists Ariel Bogle and Cam Wilson went down the rabbit hole for their book Conspiracy Nation: Exposing the dangerous world of Australian conspiracy theories. To discuss the why, what, and how of conspiratorial thinking, they join seasoned editorial leaders Gavin Fang and Tracey Kirkland, co-editors of Age of Doubt: Building Trust in a World of Misinformation and Pandemedia: How COVID changed Journalism.
This event was held at the 2025 Canberra Writers Festival.
Speakers
Ariel BogleInvestigations reporter specialising in technology, internet and the lawGuardian Australia
Cam WilsonAssociate Editor, CrikeyJournalist specialising in technology, internet culture, and politicsEditor of the daily technology newsletter, The Sizzle
Tracey KirklandManaging editor, ABC NewsJournalistGavin Fang (host)Editorial director, Australian Broadcasting CorporationJournalist and editor

Forty years ago this January, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated on its way into orbit. All seven astronauts on board were killed. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Fiona Pepper investigate how the Challenger disaster unfolded – and what that has meant for space exploration from 1986 to now.
In the days after the tragedy, the world wanted answers. What really caused the shuttle to explode? And should the launch have been stopped altogether?
The Challenger Legacy is a five-part series from Science Friction and is out now.

Forty years ago this January, the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrated on its way into orbit. All seven astronauts on board were killed.
In the days after the tragedy, the world wanted answers. What really caused the shuttle to explode? And should the launch have been stopped altogether?
For season five of Science Friction, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Fiona Pepper investigate how the Challenger disaster unfolded – and what that has meant for space exploration from 1986 to now.
The Challenger Legacy is a five-part series from Science Friction. Episode 1 is out Wednesday 21st January.

Meet Dwayne Fernandes, a man training to be the first double amputee in space. He brings you a powerful perspective based on his lived experience: in zero gravity, his disability disappears and human potential soars free. He explores how the social model of disability transforms our understanding of accessibility, showing that environments either create barriers or unlock possibility. His message is both challenging and hopeful: if we can make space accessible, we can make any space accessible.
The 2025 Disability Oration presented by the Disability Leadership Institute
Speakers
Dwayne FernandesAstroAccess Flight 2 Ambassador, accessibility consultant with IDEA Services, co-founder of Minds at Play, and advocate with the Australian Space Diversity Alliance
Christina RyanCEO and Founder of the Disability Leadership Institute

From the world's oldest continuous living culture, to the arrival of Captain Cook, the goldrush to the ANZACs, from Federation to elections to referendums, and beyond, our understanding of Australian history has evolved dramatically over recent years. Six esteemed scholars have six minutes each to wrestle with how our past unites, divides, and defines us. Who will win?
The Great Debate was recorded for Social Sciences Week with the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the National Library of Australia.
Speakers
Affirmative team
Frank BongiornoProfessor of historyDirector of the University of Canberra's Centre of Public IdeasAuthor, Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia and more
Jakelin TroyNgarigu woman from the Snowy Mountains of NSWProfessor of AnthropologyDirector of Indigenous Research at the University of Sydney
Georgina DownerCEO of the Robert Menzies Institute, University of Melbourne
Negative team
Michelle ArrowProfessor of modern history, Macquarie UniversityPresident of the Australian Historical AssociationAuthor, Women and Whitlam: Revisiting the Revolution and more
Vonda MaloneFormer member of the Queensland Truth Telling and Healing InquiryFormer CEO of the Torres Strait Regional AuthorityFirst female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council
Dan WoodmanProfessor in Sociology at the University of Melbourne
Judges
Richard HoldenProfessor of Economics, University of NSWFormer school debating champion
Chris UhlmannPolitical contributor, Sky News, columnist, The Australian
Kate Darian-SmithPresident of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia