The Pursuit of Knowledge: Veritas Redux

Presented by Professor Glenn Withers AO FASSA
(Professor ANU and UNSW Canberra)

Humans are ascendant because of rational knowledge. In this Lecture the nature and standing of contemporary knowledge creation, testing and transmission will be examined. Achievement will be celebrated, but failure and challenges will be recognised.

Examining the consequential core issue of the state of education and research across the globe will then follow, and how that must be defended and advanced as the very foundation for the future. Especial attention will be given to Australian tertiary education and to the state and role of the social sciences.

Specific guidance on the way forward for a better future in a post-truth era will be offered, as will specific cases ranging from the NWShelf through immigration to gender equity and cyber security, in order to underpin the broader analysis.