Ideas under southern skies.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Sydney, Australia — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 24, 2026
Benjamin Law · Museum of Contemporary Art · September 25, 2026
Writer and broadcaster Benjamin Law talks about race, family, and the politics of representation in contemporary Australia. The program pairs a short reading with a panel-style dis…
Clementine Ford · New South Wales State Library · September 25, 2026
Clementine Ford addresses the evolving landscape of gender politics in Australia and the role of media in shaping public debate. She offers strategies for sustained activism and re…
Richard Flanagan · Art Gallery of New South Wales · September 25, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist Richard Flanagan explores how landscape, history and memory shape contemporary fiction. The conversation ranges from island ecologies to political r…
Tim Flannery · City Recital Hall — Angel Place · September 25, 2026
Scientist and conservationist Tim Flannery outlines urgent climate science and pragmatic solutions for cities and coastal regions. The lecture will include a moderated Q&A focused …
Fiona Hall · Museum of Contemporary Art Australia · September 25, 2026
Fiona Hall discusses her latest projects and the processes that drive her multidisciplinary practice. The talk includes audience questions and a curator-led introduction to selecte…
Helen Garner · State Library of New South Wales · September 25, 2026
Helen Garner discusses her approach to narrative, truth-telling and the responsibilities of the writer to readers and subjects. The event includes readings and an audience Q&A.
Annabel Crabb · State Library of New South Wales · September 25, 2026
Annabel Crabb examines the pressures facing families and policymakers in modern Australia. The conversation will connect personal stories to broader public debates.
Richard Flanagan · Seymour Centre (Sydney Writers' Festival) · September 25, 2026
Nobel‑shortlisted author Richard Flanagan discusses narrative responsibility, history and place in his fiction. He will read and engage in conversation about storytelling in an age…
Annabel Crabb · State Library of New South Wales · September 25, 2026
Political journalist Annabel Crabb offers insights into how political storytelling shapes public understanding and civic engagement. The talk will be conversational and conclude wi…
Kate Crawford · Sydney Ideas — University of Sydney · September 25, 2026
Kate Crawford addresses the legal and social implications of large-scale data systems and automated decision-making. She proposes frameworks for accountability and meaningful publi…
David Marr · City Recital Hall, Angel Place · September 25, 2026
Investigative journalist David Marr examines the health of Australian democracy and the changing role of media in holding power to account. The talk includes audience questions and…
Peter Singer · Sydney Ideas (University of Sydney) · September 25, 2026
Philosopher Peter Singer examines the moral questions raised by rapid advances in artificial intelligence and algorithmic decision-making. He will discuss policy implications and p…
Leigh Sales · City Recital Hall · September 25, 2026
Journalist Leigh Sales reflects on decades of interviewing politicians and leaders and the craft of holding power to account. She will share techniques, memorable encounters and le…
Michelle de Kretser · State Library of New South Wales · September 25, 2026
Novelist Michelle de Kretser reads from her forthcoming work and discusses craft, place and the politics of contemporary fiction. The event includes a short conversation with a hos…
Marcia Langton · Sydney Ideas (University of Sydney) · September 25, 2026
Professor Marcia Langton discusses Indigenous law, rights and the intersection of cultural practice with contemporary governance. The talk will highlight recent research and pathwa…
Tara June Winch · New South Wales State Library · September 25, 2026
Pulitzer-recognised author Tara June Winch reads from her recent work and explores themes of belonging, language and connection to country. The event will be followed by a moderate…
Liane Moriarty · City Recital Hall, Angel Place · September 25, 2026
Bestselling author Liane Moriarty talks about her new novel, craft, and the ethics of writing about contemporary domestic life. The session includes readings and a moderated discus…
Brook Andrew · Museum of Contemporary Art Australia · September 25, 2026
Artist Brook Andrew presents a lecture on decolonial practice, archival intervention, and the politics of exhibition-making in contemporary art. The talk will be followed by a mode…
Helen Garner · State Library of New South Wales · September 25, 2026
Acclaimed author Helen Garner reflects on the craft and moral responsibilities of writing memoir in an age of contested narratives. The talk explores how memory, voice and accounta…
Christos Tsiolkas · Museum of Contemporary Art Australia · September 25, 2026
Author Christos Tsiolkas discusses his latest novel and the ethical tensions that drive his work. He will address identity, intimacy, and the social pressures shaping modern life.