New Mandala kicks off a conversation on why today’s universities need to do a better job at engaging the public to stay relevant tomorrow. 

On Friday 13 May New Mandala‘s Nicholas Farrelly and James Giggacher will launch the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs’ 2016 Horizons seminar series, looking at how scholars and researchers can make a greater impact in today’s world.

The series’ first seminar, “The conservative roots of radicalism“, will examine the historical public role of universities and ask how this can be recaptured in the 21st century.  Here at New Mandala we are firm believers that today’s researchers and scholars must make more effort to provide the public with key insights and expertise on critical issues and topics. It’s been a large part of the website’s driving mission over the last 10 years.

In this seminar, speakers will look at how the public role and social impact of universities can be hotwired for today; why academia has failed to better inform public political debate and policy thinking; and how universities can better work with civil society, government and business. The panel will also investigate what knowledge and expertise those working in public policy actually want from academia.

It promises to be a stimulating and lively discussion, and those in Canberra are welcome to attend. We’ll even provide lunch!

For more details about the event and to register visit the Bell School’s website.

Hosted each year by the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, the Horizons seminar series aims to enhance research innovation by supporting and showcasing collaborative, interdisciplinary, innovative and accessible thinking and work in Asia-Pacific affairs.

The 2016 series, Digital vision: agency, power and the future of Asia-Pacific affairs, explores how and why academics need to take scholarly debate and knowledge to wider audiences. Free public seminars are running at the Australian National University in Canberra from May to October.