Theme: Pause. Rewind. Reset.

The world as we know it has changed and it is time to stop, take a step back and to start anew. This year, guests will have the opportunity to hear from a line-up of inspiring speakers urging us to re-evaluate and re-think the status quo.

The post-pandemic era has brought about global challenges. Sometimes the solutions are right in front of us, and all it requires is a change in perspective to see it. You will hear from a combination of QUT students, academics and alumni sharing their perspectives on how it’s time to reassess our values and needs as a community and the existing systems that we use. It is time to reimagine our current systems, call out obsolete ideas, and disrupt our current rationales.

Gardens Theatre
Gardens Point Campus, Queensland University of Technology
2 George Street
Brisbane, Queensland, 4000
Australia

Abdul Karim Obeid

PhD in Quantum Information Science

Dr Abdul Karim Obeid is a researcher of the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making & Society, with an interest in Machine Learning, Ethics of Automated Systems, and the foundations of Quantum Information Science. Being a member of the Quantum Interactions research group, he has contributed to the study of quantum contextuality: a phenomenon that is largely about establishing the causes of effects, or more so instances where this cannot be done.

Anne Kelley

Artist and Disability Officer

Anne Kelley is the 2022 Disability Officer for the QUT Student Guild, and studies a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts). Having previously worked with the Brisbane City Council to help disadvantaged people of all backgrounds enter independent publishing and the arts community of Brisbane, she went on to begin her own dedicated arts career as a disabled artist. From this, she has commissioned works displayed in both Australia and Finland and has featured in several local gallery shows with her film photography and oil painting, dedicated to the experiences of her disabled life.

Emily Muir

Legal Aid

Emily Muir is a lawyer and QUT Higher Degree Research student. She is passionate about law reform and advocacy. Over the past few years she has been focused on her PhD which explores Japanese popular culture for its value as law. Emily has spent the last few years documenting her experiences of her research through photography and is looking forward to sharing her idea about law and art and how it has influenced her ideas on impactful research.

Gavrosh Stevenson

Senior High School teacher

Gavrosh is an active independent creative operating on the Sunshine Coast (Kabi-Kabi country). His animations have featured in multiple international festivals; he is the key illustrator for the comic-book ‘Slab’ and has authored two other titles. He is a passionate advocate for the redesign of Public Education, expressing his views through Street Art and commissioned Mural work. He currently works within the Queensland State Education system unpacking and exploring the Visual Arts.

Jayanti Mendhi

Microscopy technician

Jayanti is a dentist turned dental/biomaterials researcher turned microscopy technician. After a fair few career transitions, she has found love in the art of microscopy. Currently she is enjoying her romance with the scanning electron microscope which captures stunning high resolution of pretty much everything – from large rocks to tiny bacteria! When she is not busy training researchers on the microscope, she enjoys lighting up her creative side with art and music.

Jessy Renouf

Student of Psychology and Justice and University Ambassador

Jessy is a proud Gubbi Gubbi woman in her third year of a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) /Bachelor of Justice (Policy and Politics). She works as a student ambassador for the Oodgeroo Unit and the Widening Participation program to encourage students from any background to pursue their passions including university and educating about QUT services. Jessy is extremely passionate about mental health and politics. She believes her topic around cultural identity and stereotypes is important because it is not something we commonly discuss despite it impacting many people including our First Nations people. Jessy believes now is the time to change this and begin the conversation.

Leanne Butterworth

Empathy Educator

Leanne Butterworth is an empathy speaker & educator, university lecturer and social entrepreneur. She is mum to Rowan and Zara, has a degree in applied science and a postgraduate certificate in business (Nonprofit and Philanthropy Studies). Leanne is founder of social enterprise, Empathy First, lectures and tutors Social Enterprise Business for the Queensland University of Technology, works closely with the Queensland Social Enterprise Council and has presented Empathy workshops in both Australia and the United States.

Michelle Jeffries

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Michelle Jeffries is a queer researcher, educator and mum. Michelle’s doctoral research centred on the experiences of gender and sexuality diverse parents in their children’s primary school/s. Her current research explores the experiences of gender and sexuality diverse teachers in rural, regional, and remote Australia. Michelle taught in primary schools across Brisbane and remote Queensland for more than ten years. She is passionate about social justice and schools as inclusive spaces of belonging.

Owen Cafe

Landscape Architect and Aboriginal Design Consultant

Magandjin based Whadjuk-Pindjarup man Owen Café, is driven by the potential for positive change in our communities and ecological systems. He currently works as a Landscape Architect with Aspect Studios, a Senior Lecturer at QUT, and a Connection to Country panelist within AILA. Owen is a passionate advocate for First Nations perspectives, environmental and social justice, and the power of authentic interpersonal connections built on empathy and understanding.

Pheonix Wildgrace

Student of Business & Creative Industries

Pheonix Wildgrace is a fourth year student at QUT, studying a dual degree in Business & Creative Industries. During her university degree she has been involved with 180 Degrees Consulting QUT, a social impact club dedicated to providing consulting advice to non profit organisations. Pheonix strongly believes in learning about different perspectives and exploring new ideas seeking to challenge herself and step outside her comfort zone. She is passionate about mental health awareness, standing up for what she believes in and creating social change.

Riley de Jong

Environmental Engineer

Riley is a water and environmental engineer with a broad interest in ecologically-sensitive and water-sensitive urban design. Since graduating from QUT with a University Medal in 2019, Riley has played a role in realising the Hanlon Park re-naturalisation – restoring a natural creek ecosystem and engaging public space in inner Brisbane. As an emerging urban design professional, Riley is excited about contributing to the solution to ensuring our cities, regional areas and coastlines are resilient in the face of an uncertain climate future.

Will Browne

Professor in Artificial Intelligence

Will Browne is passionate about making machines and computers more intelligent for real-world tasks. His latest research is in how higher-level (abstract) patterns can help people understand the knowledge learned by such intelligent agents. This enables artificial intelligence and robots to be accepted in day-to-day applications varying from automated welding to assistive healthcare. Instead of deep impenetrable networks, his 25-year research journey develops transparent, counter-factual and eXplainable AI.