UC EVENTS

Date: Tuesday 16 March 2021

Time: 17:30 - 18:30

Location: 1A21 (Theatrette next to Mizzuna Café), University of Canberra

Title

"Don't mention the i-word"

Abstract

Once a ‘big idea, big ticket’ item, there has been a marked decline in a focus on innovation in the recent national conversation and public policy. But the pandemic has made innovation a necessity for many and not the optional extra it has often been perceived to be. This talk suggests that some of the historical problems with embedding innovation into public policy in Australia could be sheeted home to exactly the big idea, big ticket approach. Innovation can be encouraged – nudged along – without necessarily a big ticket approach. But the main difference from the past is that it is now much clearer that we can’t engage with innovation without working to overcome the divide between science and technology (STEM) and humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS).

Speaker

Professor Stuart Cunningham

Stuart Cunningham is a University of Canberra Faculty of Arts & Design’s first Distinguished Fellow. He is Distinguished Emeritus Professor, Queensland University of Technology. He directed the first Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence based in the humanities, Creative Industries and Innovation, and has contributed to the national debate on innovation through research, advocacy and books such as Hidden Innovation: Policy, Industry and the Creative Sector.

Program

17:30-17:35: Opening Remarks - Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice Chancellor, University of Canberra

17:35-18:05: Public Lecture - Professor Stuart Cunningham, Distinguished Fellow, University of Canberra

18:05-18:30: Q&A - Facilitated by Sora Park, Professor, News & Media Research Centre, University of Canberra

Please note this is a COVID safe event and numbers are strictly limited. We ask that you let us know if you can no longer attend.