UC EVENTS

Take a break from study and head down to the Sports Hall at lunchtime for some Volleyball.

Have you always wanted to try boxing but don’t know where to start? This is the perfect class for beginners or intermediate boxers to put on gloves and start punching the bags. With a mix of cardio and technique-based boxing movements, this class is both fun and challenging! Gloves are provided if you do not have your own. Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 4:45pm-5:30pm.Every Thursday lunchtime: 1pm-1:45pm Open to UCFitx members and casual participants. Members can book through the Technogym App, while casuals can sign up by contacting us in Building 29, by phone (6201 2542) or email (ucfit@canberra.edu.au).

Find out more or register your interest in Athletics at the 2025 UniSport Nationals here- Athletics | UniSport Nationals

The UCX Food Pantry is providing a free breakfast each week! Come on down before class to the UCX Student Lounge and grab a healthy breakfast to start your day. 

Take a break from study and head down to the Sports Hall to play some Pickleball.

Take a break from teaching or study and join us every Tuesday from 1pm for our lunchtime group fitness!  Power Conditioning is a fun 45min full-body workout, incorporating various strength and conditioning movements, suitable for all levels.  Designed to improve strength, overall fitness, and mobility.  Get ready to lift, move, and sweat! Open to UCFitx members and casual participants. Members can book through the Technogym App, while casuals can sign up by contacting us in Building 29, by phone (6201 2542) or email (ucfit@canberra.edu.au).

Don’t know how to grow veggies and want to learn? Or want to grow and don’t have the space? Then the UCX Connect Up Community Garden wants you!Join the Community of Student Gardeners and learn how to grow produce, plant seasonally, and enjoy eating what you grow! All experience levels welcome. Gardening Bees every Tuesday 4pm-5pm. We've got all the gardening gear you need - just come ready to get your hands dirty.

Join us for an exhilarating experience that will leave you energised and empowered! Dance Fitness is designed to make fitness fun, all while learning exciting dance moves in a supportive atmosphere. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced dancer, the instructor will guide you through a fusion of Latin-inspired styles and Afro-Caribbean beats. You'll master new moves while grooving to cool beats.Open to UCFitx members and casual participants. Members can book through the Technogym App, while casuals can sign up by contacting us in Building 29, by phone (6201 2542) or email (ucfit@canberra.edu.au). Every Tuesday & Thursday 5:15pm-6:00pm.

Calling all students who are ready to test their knowledge, skills and wits against their peers as we have weekly trivia to keep you entertained!Head to UCBarx every Tuesday at 5:30pm to see which UC team, club or society are bringing 40 questions to you that week. With a new theme every week, you're sure to hit at least one of your expert subjects by week 13!Compete for both the $80 bar tab available each week, and the $250 prize for the team who's done the best over the course of the semester. And even if you lose, there are still plenty of food, drinks and laughs to be had!

Take a break from study and head down to the Concourse Lawns to play some Dodgeball.

We are hosting a mindfulness session on SciTech open to all staff at UC. These will be held on Wednesdays at 2:00 PM in a hybrid format (both face-to-face and online) in Room 6C56.Each session will begin promptly at 2:05 PM and typically runs until around 2:25 PM. The sessions include a short guided meditation focused on simple attention to the breath and bodily sensations. This practice aims to cultivate presence, enhance wellbeing, and improve focus and effectiveness in all areas of life.You can join our Teams Channel by clicking here. We look forward to having you join us.Kind regards,Ehssan

This semester, dinner's on us! treat yourself every few weeks with a free dinner, no cooking, no cleaning, no fuss! This semester's dates and menus are below:Wednesday Feb 26th - The Big Bite Burger NightWednesday April 2nd - The Great Pasta FeastWednesday April 23rd - Noodle NirvanaPlease Note: GF/V option available on request.

Are you an absolute music lover? Is your knowledge of music wildly good? Or do you just like a good bop or two? Maybe you even grew up grow up with your dad asking you every second song on a family road trip ‘what song is this?’ and ‘who’s this by?’ testing your knowledge of all the classic bands? Then this night is for you!Come down for Musical Bingo every Wednesday through semester. It will be a fun, laughter filled night with prizes up for grabs! There will also be food and drink deals available at UCBarx so come down, we can't wait to see you there!

Run or WalkAs a group, we start every R4R by walking the first 500m. This is an opportunity to check in with ourselves and each other. After that, you can decide whether you walk 3km or run 6km loopJust aim to be back at the starting point in about 30 minutes.Meeting PointOn Thursday at 8:30am we meet at the Coffee Grounds Cafe, located on the University of Canberra Campus.People usually start arriving 10 to 15 minutes before the starting time for a stretch and chat.If you're coming alone, get in touch and keep an eye out for one of our volunteers.Post-ExerciseAfter exercising we all meet back at starting point for a free drink and chat.

Farm-fresh produce right here on campus? Yes, please! Every Thursday, Allan brings a pop-up selection of in-season fruit, veggies, eggs, and honey for you to purchase right here on campus. He accepts both cash or card (noting a $10 EFTPOS minimum). Details:Every Thursday 11am-12:30pm at UCX Student Lounge He even offers pre-ordering, contact Allan on allan@allansfarmfresh.com.au or via SMS to 0409 909 373 by 10am on Wednesdays.*Pop-up subject to Allan's availability and produce varies depending on season.

Repair Cafe joins the UCX Food Pantry every Thursday to help students and staff with mending and repairing clothing and some other items. Whether it's  a snagged thread, a little hole or a button that's fallen off, you'll not only have your item repaired, but you'll even pick up some tips on how to repair it next time.Come and give your clothes a new life, and help your favourite items last longer!

UC Medical and Counselling Centre offers a free weekly workshop for UC students to help them develop new skills and tools to tackle the various challenges students face.Each week one of our Psychologists will work with students to manage a range of challenges students face today – such as goal setting, connecting with others, managing stress, and overcoming procrastination.The Weekly Psych Session is presented online via Zoom.  Link: https://zoom.us/j/97664287908?...Links to an external site.Meeting ID: 976 6428 7908Passcode: 595094

Speakers: Prof. Damith Herath, Dr. Maleen Jayasuriya, Piumi Wijesundara Date\Time: Thursday 24 April 2025, 12:30-13:30Location: Building 1 Level A Room 1A21, University of Canberra (NB Room 1a21 is accessed from the foyer joining Building 1 and Mizzuna café); or Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95029077504 AbstractThis presentation explores the dramaturgical potential of human-robot ensemble performance through devised physical theatre methodologies. This work is part of Tthe Robots, Art, People and Performance Laboratory (RAPP Lab), a living laboratory that functions as an experimental sandbox where roboticists and artists converge to explore the untapped possibilities of human-robot interaction through the lens of performance. Born from a spirit of curiosity, experimentation and play, the third iteration—RAPP Lab 03—brought together 10 movement artists from various backgrounds to investigate new theatrical possibilities. Using a UR10 collaborative robot, we examine how Meyerhold's biomechanics and Lecoq's Tréteau theatre frameworks can inform human-robot collaborative performance for dramaturgical storytelling. Our approach uniquely leverages the robot's inherent constraints and capabilities: workspace limitations are reframed through confined performance space principles of Tréteau theatre, while its precise movement control is explored through biomechanical movement structures. Grounded in South Asian sociocultural narratives, this project addresses the underrepresentation of culturally diverse perspectives in technological art.All are welcome! BioProfessor Damith Herath is a roboticist and Professor of Robotics and Art at the University of Canberra, where he leads the Collaborative Robotics Lab. With over 20 years of experience in multidisciplinary and translational robotics research, he's an award-winning entrepreneur who founded Australia's first collaborative robotics startup. Hiswork explores the intersection of roboticsand art, including pioneering collaborations with renowned artists like Stelarc. As lead editor of "Robots and Art: Exploring an Unlikely Symbiosis," he's made significant contributions to human-robot interaction across diverse domains, merging technical innovation with artistic exploration.Maleen Jayasuriya is a Lecturer in Robotics at the University of Canberra, specialising in human-robot interaction. With a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney, his research spans robot perception, deep learning, and collaborative robotics. Maleen is passionate about integrating arts with technology, drawing from his experience in theatre, filmmaking, animation, and game development. At the Collaborative Robotics Lab, he explores the intersection of robotics, explainable AI, psychology, and art, bringing a unique interdisciplinary perspective to robotics research.Piumi Wijesundara is a theatre artist specialising in devised theatre and physical performance. She holds an MA in Theatre Directing from East 15 Acting School (UK) and trained in biomechanics at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). Currently Public Programs Producer at CMAG, she was previously a Program Manager at NIDA and served as Co-Artistic Director of Stages Theatre Group Sri Lanka. She is also a Visiting Lecturer of Applied Theatre at the Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo Sri Lanka. Her directorial works include "Awa/Kaawa/Giya" and "Ovaryacting!" with international directing/acting credits spanning Australia, Sri Lanka, UK and Rwanda. Acknowledgements RAPP LAB 03 Devised Workshop Team: Annika Kendall, Chipz Jin, Marlene Radice, Sandy Ma, Molly Yao, Michael Armstrong, Fi Peel, Deni Dominguez, Mia Rashid, Imogen YangResearch Assistant: Yue PengMusic: Dilruk Warnakula, Marlene Radice, Sukitha Bandaranayake The Culture and Creativity Seminar Series is hosted by the Centre for Cultural and Creative Research (CCCR), Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra. To discover upcoming seminars, please follow us on Facebook @uccccr, or Instagram and Twitter @uc_cccr. Alternatively, join our mailing list by emailing cccr@canberra.edu.au. Any questions and accessibility requests please contact: cccr@canberra.edu.au. 

Take a break from study and head down to the Concourse Lawns to play a variety of outdoor sports.

Take a break from study and head down to the Sports Hall at lunchtime to play some Badminton.

Find out more or register your interest in Triathlon at the 2025 UniSport Nationals here- Unisport

The dogs are back! Beloved therapy dogs from Dogs Canberra are coming back to campus, ready to say hello to anyone walking by! Whether you’re a new or returning student, these lovable pooches will be happy to be pet for some stress relief. If petting dogs aren’t your thing, then what about some warm donuts? Come down to the UC Concourse for a sweet treat and some puppy love!

The University of Canberra Veterans and Families Club warmly welcomes all members, along with staff and students who are ADF members, veterans or are the family member (partner or child) of an ADF member/veteran, to a post-Anzac Day morning tea. Please join University leadership and the defence-connected community  to commemorate all Australians who have served in times of peace and war, remember those who did not return with a minute silence, share stories of service, and enjoy a coffee and a chat. For those located outside of the ACT or unable to attend in person, a livestream of the short formalities will be available via Teams. Please contact the event organiser via email ucveterans1@gmail.com to arrange.The event if free for UC VFC members and their families, and current and former ADF members, and family members of current and former serving ADF members. Morning tea is provided.The event will take place in the Semesters event room, Building 1, Level C (above the Refectory).This event is made possible by a grant from the University's Veteran Tertiary Support Program (supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs).

Ever wanted to live out your ‘Princess Diaries’ dreams? UCLifex is giving you the chance to relieve some stress by throwing darts at balloons to add some fun pops of colour to the Concourse lawns. Beat the homework and see if you can hit the bullseye for a quick, artsy break!

What better way is there to take a break than with your friends in VR? Play in a variety of games battling your way through undead, brewing potions in a wizard academy or cooking up a storm! Come by the UC Refectory to have some virtual fun!

Beep beep! Our team members will be on a joyride throughout UC campus offering pies to anyone they come across! Will you catch them as they are handed out of our very own pie cart? Make sure you’re on campus ready so that you can enjoy a warm pie to fight off the cold with all your friends!?

Paint n' sip is a classic Stress Less Activity, but what if we switched it up a little? You’ll be able to decorate your very own brownie or cookie as you sip your drink of choice and chat with your friends. Create an amazing work of art that you can eat afterwards!

Take a break from your studies and unwind with an afternoon of fun and creativity. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, come and enjoy crocheting, French knitting, and finger knitting activities and get creative with yarn. It's the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, meet fellow students, and create something beautiful. 

The UC Medical & Counselling Centre is offering a free, weekly group for UC students who have been diagnosed with, or think they may have ADHD. Led by Senior Psychologist, Vicki de Prazer, this group will look at understanding and developing strategies to manage concentration, attention, and time more effectively, plus the importance of routine and structure in our day to day lives.

It’s time to PARTY! Dance out your worries and celebrate nearing the end of semester by blowing up the library with a disco! No need to worry about disturbing anyone as your headphones hold the music. All you need to do is boogie! Come to the library from 1pm to take a break from your studies and dance the stress away.

University is a great place for reading and learning! How about putting aside some time for learning about Jesus? Reading about Jesus is an opportunity to join with others and read through the Bible’s accounts of Jesus, to discuss and learn together. Held on the WEDNESDAY of each week, 1-2pm, in 1C100 or via Microsoft Teams.Anyone is welcome – you may be a long-time Christian, or just someone (of other faith or no faith) who would like to read about Jesus with others.We are currently holding the activity online using Microsoft Teams, and also meeting in person at the same time in 1C100, as a mixed-mode event.If you are interested in joining the activity please contact the organiser, Craig Johnson, to confirm the online details or location.

Think you can absolutely destroy the competition? Take a break down at the ESports lounge for a quick game of Smash! Whether you’re a hardcore player or a casual gamer, it’s time to battle it out on the smash stage. Are you a new player? No problem! Our team will be happy to show you the ropes and you’ll be battling with the best in no time!

Just finished your lap with the run club? Starting the day early? Skip breakfast today to come to the lawns between Cooper Lodge and UC Lodge where UCLifex will be hosting a breakfast of warm porridge bowls with some fresh fruit and spiced apples to fill you up and begin your day off on the right foot!

Cooking can be hard, especially if you don’t know where to start and you’re in the middle of exam stress! Whatever your situation, UCLifex is partnering with Nutri Club to help out!  Come to our cooking class to pick up some basic skills, as well as a brand-new recipe that you’ll be able to keep. Don’t forget the food you made! This is a great way to learn as well as enjoy a free meal at the end!

Speaker: Sally FarrahDate\Time: Thursday 1 May 2025, 12:30-13:30Location: Building 1 Level A Room 1A21, University of Canberra (NB Room 1a21 is accessed from the foyer joining Building 1 and Mizzuna café); or Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95029077504 AbstractThis presentation reveals the research process and outcomes for a recent ACT Heritage Festival exhibition, entitled ‘NCDC unearthed: architecture and landscape’, in collaboration with FAD colleagues. A roll call of architects commissioned by the NCDC are some of the best names in Australian twentieth-century architecture: for example, nine of the fifteen architects Robin Boyd promoted in his book, A new architecture(1963), were architects involved with the NCDC project. This research reveals some Australian ‘starchitects’ lesser-known projects, and provides further insight into their ideas and work. By timelining the seven-year cycles of governance, this study starts to reveal the themes and preoccupations evident in the architectural, landscape, and urban works in the post-WWII period.All are welcome! BioSally is a Lecturer (Architecture) at UC. Currently, she is working with several FAD colleagues on an ACT Heritage Grant 2024-25, studying the contributions of the NCDC from 1958-88. In collaboration with other academics, they are working toward a book proposal end of 2025, entitled ‘Canberra: the city of total design’. Acknowledgements Supports and fundings: ACT Heritage; Alastair Swayn FoundationCollaborators: ACT Heritage Library; Canberra Modern; GML Heritage Upcoming exhibition opening event on 16 April 2025NCDC Unearthed: architecture and landscapeArchitecture and Landscape Unearthed The Culture and Creativity Seminar Series is hosted by the Centre for Cultural and Creative Research (CCCR), Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra. To discover upcoming seminars, please follow us on Facebook @uccccr, or Instagram and Twitter @uc_cccr. Alternatively, join our mailing list by emailing cccr@canberra.edu.au. Any questions and accessibility requests please contact: cccr@canberra.edu.au.

Need a quick pick-me-up? UCLifex will be outside the refectory providing some free pastries to help you study! Whether you prefer chocolate or fruit, there’s guaranteed to be a sweet and flaky treat to help you through the day!

Sometimes you just need some time to switch off. There’s no better way than to turn your brain off and relax in front of a TV. Busy in the library and need to take a quick break? Come to level C where there will be plenty of cozy and classic tv shows to watch as a brief reprieve from study. Bring a couple friends (and maybe some snacks) and relax on the beanbags to reset your brain and relieve some stress.

Need some racing therapy? The Esports lounge will be giving you a chance to be transported to the racetracks, where you can speed your way over the track for a glorious photo finish! Race your friends in a daring Grand Prix while avoiding a massive wipeout in a study break that’ll get your heart revving!

Do you love to be creative with words and visuals? Are you looking for opportunities to socialise and collaborate with other writers and creatives? Well, look no further than the Curieux Collective! The group is a chance to enjoy creative activities with like-minded people. The Curieux team aims to promote a relaxed environment where we can encourage and inspire each other creatively. Come along to share your work and get feedback, take some time to create, or just to meet other students and enjoy some free biscuits, tea and coffee together!We'll see you every second Thursday, 3-5pm in study room 1C75, above the refectory.

Sometimes it is hard to meet new people, or to find opportunities to practise speaking in English. We wanted to provide a chance to help you with this. Our English Conversation Club is an informal time, not a structured class. In a small group, we talk about a different topic each meeting, with a native English speaker. Improve your English by practising your speaking and listening, and make some new friends along the way! Anyone is welcome join this activity. The English Conversation Club is a free activity, and especially for international students or visiting scholars from overseas – but anyone who wants to practise their English is welcome.We are currently holding the English Conversation Club online using Microsoft Teams, and at the same time meeting in person in 1C100, as a mixed-mode event.If you are interested in joining the activity, please contact the organiser, Craig Johnson, to confirm details (times and location can change).

Want a chance to wind down and catch up with your mates? How about getting a little crafty? We are hosting a Stitch & Bitch every second week at UCBarx to get your hands going and meet new people!Whether you're a seasoned veteran who wants some company while completing your own project, or if you're a beginner looking to pick up some new tricks - this event is for you!You'll get to create amazing crafts and learn some pretty nifty skills along the way!What are you waiting for? Come down and let your creativity run wild!

UCLifex and Surf Life Saving NSW are bringing a First Aid course straight to you on campus to make it as simple as possible for you to get certified! There are 2 course options, please see the details of each below to choose which course you'd like to do. Please note, HLTAID011 includes HLTAID009, both courses are run together, those only completing the CPR component (HLTAID009) will just finish earlier in the day. Please only book ONE of the below courses. Course 1.HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitationCourse DescriptionThe Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course delivers the essential principles, skills and knowledge to maintain or restore breathing and circulation in an adult, child or infant. The course content is based on the policies and standards of the Australian Resuscitation Council.Course ContentRecognise an emergency situation and convey details of the incident to emergency servicesLegal issues and infection controlAssessing the casualty and recognising the need for CPREmergency action principles - DRSABCDPlan an appropriate first aid responseExternal cardiac compressions (CPR)Adult, infant and child CPR rates and techniquesOne and two person CPR techniquesUse of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)Contribute to workplace reporting of an incident and psychological impacts on self and othersDuration - 2.5 hours including assessment.Entry Requirements - Participants must be a minimum of 10 years of age on the date of final assessment.Assessment - The course is assessed through demonstration*, presentation and application of all elements of competency in the workplace. Participants will be required to complete activities that may include role-plays, oral and written questioning, practical demonstrations and performing scenarios. Please note, it is a requirement of this course that practical demonstration of CPR must be performed on the floor.Certification - Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a nationally recognised statement of attainment for the following unit of competency: - HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitationValidity - One (1) year from date of course. It is recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council that you update your CPR skills every 12 months.Course 2.HLTAID011 - Provide First AidCourse DescriptionThis course provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to manage emergency first aid situations and deliver competent emergency care until the arrival of professional medical support. Once completed, participants will obtain a first aid certificate that is valid for three years. The Provide First Aid course is nationally recognised ACECQA approved training.Course ContentLegal issues and infection controlDRSABCD action planThe principles of first aid and its applicationsRecognition and management of emergency situations and convey details of the incident to emergency servicesCardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and DefibrillationContribute to workplace reporting of an incident and psychological impacts on self and othersTreatment of shock, infection, fractures, bleeding and burnsEmergencies due to lack of oxygen, excess heat or coldRecognition and management of medical conditions that may need emergency care, including heart attack, stroke, asthma, diabetes and epilepsyManagement of common medical emergencies using available equipmentTreatment of poisoning including venomous bites and stingsEntry Requirements - Participants must be a minimum of 14 years of age on the date of final assessment.Delivery Options - One full day of training (8 hours) plus a question and answer workbook (available online) to be completed independently prior to the day of practical training.Assessment- This course is assessed through demonstration, presentation and application of all elements of competency in the workplace. Participants will be required to complete activities that may include role-plays, oral and written questioning, practical demonstrations and performing scenarios. Please note, it is a requirement of this course that practical demonstration of CPR must be performed on the floor.CertificationUpon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a nationally recognised statement of attainment for the following units of competency:- HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation - HLTAID010 - Provide basic emergency life support- HLTAID011 - Provide First AidPre Course Learning - Approximately 1 hour online activities.Validity - Three (3) years from date of course. It is recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council that the CPR component of this course be updated every 12 months

We all love some gooey, cheesy goodness. So why not grab some FREE mac n cheese to round out the week? Brain food doesn’t get better than this, so make sure you come down to the concourse to grab a snack that’s just too good to resist!

Lime Cordiale are returning to their roots for a one-off tour to remind everybody who they are!  For a band that built their live reputation on playing in small rooms, with the fans so close you can see the band sweat,  it’s the perfect response to their 2024 sold-out arena shows, which celebrated their third album, ENOUGH OF THE SWEET TALK. For those who remember and those about to discover, sweaty, packed rooms, the kind that has taken Oliver and Louis around the world, are the perfect way to enjoy the magic of a lime cordial show.Lime Cordiale has amassed over 500 million streams on Spotify, 40 million Apple Music streams, with YouTube views exceeding 30 million. Their infectious performances and genuine, generous interactions with their fans have made them one of Australia’s most in-demand acts, playing to wildly enthusiastic crowds across Australia and overseas.Lime Cordiale have partnered with FEAT. Initiative on the Love is off the Table tour to contribute aSolarSliceof $1.00 from each ticket sold which will go towards helping reduce carbon emissions and waste generated by live events with the aim of maximising positive environmental outcomes.

Join us in a?conversation between leading researchers and practitioners working to strengthen democracy in Australia and beyond.?Each session will feature a conversation and exchange between academic insights and practical experience, exploring innovative ideas, strategies, and solutions for addressing the challenges facing democracies today. The series aims to showcase the latest research insights and inspire practical approaches to strengthening democracy. Hosted by the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, this monthly hybrid seminar series is designed for both professionals and academics working in the fields of democracy and citizen engagement. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how research can enhance democratic practice and vice versa, while exploring current challenges that could benefit from further academic inquiry. All seminars will be recorded and made available on Centre’s YouTube Channel. To receive seminar updates, please join our mailing list by emailing us at delibdem@canberra.edu.au 

Legacy metal band Chelsea Grin (US) and metalcore innovators Currents (US) have announced a stacked Australian co-headline tour this May with special guests Bloom & HEAVENSGATE. Salt Lake City's Chelsea Grin last visited Australia in 2023 in support of Thy Art Is Murder's Decade Of Hate Tour with Whitechapel, and their early days saw them debut at Soundwave Festival and on tours with The Amity Affliction and Boris The Blade. Chelsea Grin bring decades of experience to the metal scene and are pioneers of the sub-genre, Deathcore. Forming in 2007, the group has put out multiple full length albums, toured the world nonstop since their inception and have managed to stay relevant in the alternative community for close to two decades. Selling out venues around the world, their music speaks to their fans that have stayed loyal to them throughout the years.Connecticut post-metalcore outfit Currents, returning to Australia after making an impression in 2023 on Polaris' Fatalism Tour with Kublai Khan and August Burns Red. Currents don't pretend that life is a bed of well-manicured roses. Rather, it has been by way of exploring the forbidden realms of a tortured psyche and ferociously searching for meaning amidst uncertain chaos that the band has won the hearts of metal fans across the globe; a feat evidenced by 80+ million catalog streams and packed tours supporting the likes of Ice Nine Kills, Thy Art is Murder, As I Lay Dying, We Came As Romans, Fit For A King, and more.

AI is becoming an ever-present force in our lives, shaping how we access information, engage in discussions, and even participate in democracy. New AI tools make democratic participation more accessible through AI facilitation and live translation. But it may also undermine democracy by inhibit critical thinking skills or eroding public trust through deepfakes. This seminar brings together leading international academics and practitioners to discuss which AI tools can enhance democracy, how AI can be democratically governed and how our identities reshaped through the everyday use of AI. Join us for a dynamic exchange of ideas on the promises and challenges of AI in shaping the democracies of tomorrow.Reema Patel directs Elgon Social, as an independent researcher and practitioner with expertise in deliberative and participatory approaches. She currently works on the Digital Good Network, Public Voices in AI, and the Global Climate Citizens Assembly led by Iswe Foundation. She is also an EDI associate to the Wellcome Trust, advising them on the development and implementation of their equity framework. Dr James Muldoon is an Associate Professor in Management at the Essex Business School, a Research Associate at the Oxford Internet Institute and Head of Digital Research at the Autonomy think tank. His research examines how modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital platforms can create public value and serve the common good. It explores how notions of freedom, power and democracy need to be rethought in a digital age and what we can do to harness the positive potential of new technology.The seminar will be moderated by Dr Hans Asenbaum, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, Faculty of Business, Government and Law, University of Canberra.

Effective community engagement starts with the right tools and approaches—and deliberation offers both. The Deliberative Democracy in Action Masterclasses offer a hands-on introduction to the principles and tools of deliberative engagement—an evidence-based approach that leads to more inclusive, constructive, and legitimate outcomes.Whether you're designing consultations, facilitating conversations, or shaping policy, these masterclasses will equip you with practical strategies to engage communities in ways that build trust and deliver impact. Through these sessions, you'll learn how to:Improve the quality of public engagement by creating spaces where participants feel heard, respected, and empowered to contribute.Broaden the reach of public engagement by designing inclusive processes that engage people from all walks of life—not just the usual voices.Balance diverse perspectives by exploring the trade-offs between competing values and interests.Bridge divisions and disagreements through meaningful dialogue and active listening.Drawing from real-world examples in Australia and around the world, the sessions explore fresh, practical approaches to deliberative engagement.Hosted by the Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance — a world leader in the study of public participation — this series brings together expert thinkers and practitioners who are helping to reshape democracy for the better. You’ll also have the chance to connect with some of Australia’s leading experts in deliberative engagement and become part of our growing network of practitioners working to make public engagement more meaningful and effective. Wednesday 14 May: RepresentationExplores how democratic ideals such as inclusion and participation are realised in deliberative process. This includes how experts are involved in processes and examines strategies to enhance representation in various contexts such as where there are inherent power inequities.  Participants will master:The different ways to consider representation in deliberative processes and how to design processes that include varied perspectives.An understanding of how inequalities impact deliberation and tools for addressing disparities.How to consider the perspectives of those that cannot participate such as future generations or non-humans.How to design methods that effectively engage experts and apply their knowledge to the deliberative process.Guest speakers – to be announced soon! Thursday 15 May: ImpactExplores how deliberative practices are connected to the wider institutional and political contexts, and the democratic system overall.  This includes an examination of the consequentiality of practices and factors that affect their impact.Participants will master:An understanding of how democratic innovations can be effectively positioned within a policy-making context, systems of governance and existing public participation approaches.An ability to identify varied pathways for impact and how to strategically design deliberative processes that achieve this impact.An understanding of the determinants that influence the legitimacy conferred on deliberative processes, and strategies for how to strengthen legitimacy.Guest speakers – to be announced soon!Friday 16 May: ResilienceExplores how deliberative practices can contribute to building democratic resilience. It will consider deliberation in contexts where there are entrenched special interests, deep power inequalities, or divergent views on possible solutions to complex issues.  This masterclass builds an understanding of both the opportunities and limitations for deliberation to break impasses and generate more broadly accepted policy outputs.   Participants will master:A critical understanding of how deliberation can mitigate extremist threats in contexts where there is deep polarisation, mistrust or disinformation.An ability to design processes that appropriately consider relevant social movement actors and stakeholders.A toolkit of deliberative approaches and design choices that can mitigate division and entrenched views.Guest speakers – to be announced soon!RegistrationParticipants can enrol in each masterclass separately if they are only interested in one or two topics. Alternatively, the masterclasses will run on three consecutive days allowing participants to enrol in all three as an intensive. $385 (incl. GST) per day$990 (incl. GST)  for all three masterclasses Register for:Representation (single day) - Register hereImpact (single day) - Register hereResilience (single day) - Register hereAll three masterclasses - Register hereRegistration includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. CertificateParticipants will be provided a participation certificate from the Centre of Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance.