Join the conversation between Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell and ABC Science journalist Natasha Mitchell.
30 November, 4.00–6.30pm (This event is FREE but registration is essential)
Join a conversation between cultural anthropologist and technologist Professor Genevieve Bell and ABC Science journalist Natasha Mitchell of ABC Radio National’s Science Friction.
You’ll also hear from researchers and students from the School of Cybernetics.
Guests should arrive at 4pm. The podcast recording begins at 4.30pm and concludes at 5.30pm. This will be followed by a Networking opportunity for one hour until 6.30 pm.
Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell#
Distinguished Professor Genevieve Bell AO FTSE FAHA is a renowned anthropologist, technologist, and futurist. Genevieve completed her PhD in cultural anthropology at Stanford University in 1998 and is best known for her work at the intersection of cultural practice and technology development.
She is currently the Director of the School of Cybernetics and Florence Violet McKenzie Chair at the Australian National University (ANU) and a Vice President and Senior Fellow in Intel Labs at Intel Corporation.
Genevieve joined the ANU in 2017 after spending 18 years in Silicon Valley guiding Intel’s product development and social science and user experience research capabilities. Genevieve was appointed the inaugural Director of the 3A Institute, co-founded by the ANU and CSIRO’s Data61. The Institute’s mission is to establish a new branch of engineering to responsibly and sustainably scale AI-enabled cyber-physical systems. In 2021, she was appointed Director of the new School of Cybernetics at the ANU, which in addition to housing the 3A Institute, is focused on building capacity in Systems and Design.
Natasha Mitchell#
Natasha Mitchell is a multi-award-winning science journalist, host, audio producer and podcaster. She is the presenter and producer of the weekly culture and science show, Science Friction (winner of Best Science and Medicine Podcast at the 2019 Australian Podcast Awards).
She hosted the flagship daily social affairs program Life Matters on ABC Radio National for 4 years and founded the internationally acclaimed program and podcast All in the Mind which she hosted and produced for a decade. Natasha served as vice president of the World Federation of Science Journalists, was recipient of the prestigious MIT Knight Journalism Fellowship, the New York Radio Festivals’ Grand Prize and four Gold World Medals, amongst other awards.
She was co-editor of the 2013 Best Australian Science Writing anthology. She has an engineering degree from Monash University, and a postgraduate diploma in science communication from the Australian National University. She regularly facilitates public events and dialogues around Australia, including a series of four dialogues with the Dalai Lama and leading scientists.
Panellists:#
Matthew Heffernan#
Matthew Heffernan is Luritja from Central Australia and a senior project officer at the Gandaywarra First Nations Portfolio at ANU. An experienced software developer and technology consultant, Matthew holds a Master of Cybernetics and is passionate about using Indigenous knowledge to create a safer, sustainable and technologically-responsible world.
Dr. Hannah Feldman#
Dr. Hannah Feldman is the ANU Institute for Water Futures Research Fellow at the School of Cybernetics. As a social scientist, her research centers on young people and how their experiences of the environment cross over with an ever-evolving relationship with technology.
Dr. Ben Swift#
Dr. Ben Swift is Associate Director (Education) and Educational Experiences lead in the School of Cybernetics. An academic, educator, artist and maker of open source tools for creative computing, Ben is interested in the intersection of code, creativity and culture.
Join our guided tours!#
This event is followed by a guided tour around Birch Building and through our exhibition Australian Cybernetic: a point through time.
This guided tour is optional, but bookings are essential. We have provided a separate but easy-to-do registration through this booking page. Tickets are limited, book yours ahead!
Our exciting exhibition and public program continue throughout the day to celebrate the official launch celebrations of both the ANU School of Cybernetics and the award-winning Birch Building. For the complete list of all events, visit our School launch page.
Pay & Display parking is available at the back of the Birch Building and around the university.