Smart Talk

Dr Helen Murray explores the relationship between repetitive head injuries, contact sport and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a progressive brain disease that causes dementia.

Assoc. Prof. Matheson Russell explores different models for democracy in action during an era of unprecedented polarisation. His focus? Sortition. A highlight of Raising the Bar Home Edition.

Prof. Andrew Shelling sorts fact from fiction when it comes to 'blaming your genes,' and discusses the role of genetic testing in controlling common diseases. From Raising the Bar Home Edition.

What does it mean to be Pākehā today? Prof. Alison Jones from the University of Auckland talks to the University of Canterbury's Jeanette King in this highlight of WORD Christchurch 2021.

Mark Solomon, the former kaiwhakahaere (Chair) of Ngāi Tahu's governing council, speaks with Nic Lowe about leadership in this highlight of WORD Christchurch 2021.

Two crime writers - Jacqueline Bublitz and Paul Cleave - discuss how they create memorable stories in this highlight of 2021's Word Christchurch festival.

At the time of the COP26 summit held in Glasgow, Kim Hill speaks with journalist Tom Doig and veteran scientist Dave Lowe about the climate crisis. A highlight of 2021 Word Christchurch.

Dr Hinemoa Elder, Kyle Mewburn, Anjum Rahman, Julie Zarifeh and Emily Writes explore very different aspects of courage and adventure in their lives. They talk with Jo Malcolm.

In 2001, the Norwegian freighter Tampa - crammed with more than 400 asylum-seekers rescued from a sinking fishing boat - was turned away from Australia. Abbas Nazari, aged seven, was onboard.

Ian Rankin, the creator of Inspector Rebus, talks live from Edinburgh with New Zealand crime writer Vanda Symon at Word Christchurch 2021.

Christchurch barber Mataio (Matt) Brown wrote She is Not Your Rehab with his wife Sarah. They discuss the book and the global anti-violence movement it has spawned at 2021 WORD Christchurch.

Unionist Helen Kelly left a huge impact on New Zealand's political and industrial landscapes. Helen's biographer Rebecca Macfie speaks with Jo Malcolm about her life, times and legacy.

Ben Brown  (Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Koroki, Ngāti Paoa) speaks about the power of imagination and its deep roots in te ao Māori at the 2021 WORD Christchurch Festival.

Sound historian Sarah Johnston explores 100 years of radio in a talk at the National Library, focusing on the early decades and the innovative World War II radio Mobile Unit recordings.

In an update of his 2017 talk, Prof. Peter O'Connor explores the complexities of terrorism from an educator's perspective. From the online version of Auckland University's Raising the Bar.

Marketing expert Dr Mike Lee has kept a ten-year watch on the anti-vaccination movement. In this illuminating talk, he explores how we could develop herd immunity against harmful misinformation.

Science communicator Siouxsie Wiles spoke about Covid-19, conspiracy theories and how being a goth teenager led her into microbiology, at the 2021 NZ International Science Festival.

A team of experts discuss the future of gene editing to control pests, and how it connects with mātauranga Māori. A highlight of the NZ International Science Festival from July 2021.

Angler Dougal Rillstone and surfer Derek Morrison talk to fellow explorer Bruce Ansley about their love for the wild places of Aotearoa.

Prof. Jacinta Ruru talks with fellow Māori academics about being Māori in a university. A highlight of 2021's Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival.