US Studies Centre Events

Pacific Triangles: Australia, China, and the Reorientation of American Studies

2012-08-10T08:00:00+10:00

This symposium will examine ways in which the twenty-first century has already reoriented the field of American Studies in relation to the People's Republic of China and Australia, and how this process is likely to continue and develop. It brings together scholars from around the world working within and across American Studies, Asian Studies and Asian diasporic studies, to look not only at shifting relationships between the Chinese mainland and the West, but also how these shifts resonate in the Asia Pacific region.

Pacific 2012 International Maritime Conference

2012-01-31T08:30:00+10:00

As part of the Pacific 2012 Maritime Conference, Dr Susan Pond chaired a forum on Sustainable Maritime Fuels, co-sponsored by the United States Studies Centre and Maritime Australia Limited.

This forum included Australian and International speakers. Topics discussed included drivers and demand for fuel diversification, advanced maritime biofuels and maritime fuel infrastructure. The Sustainable Maritime Fuels Forum also had a dedicated Sustainable Maritime Fuels Showcase for exhibitors wishing to participate in this event.

If you would like to view the agenda for the event, please click on the "Sustainable Maritime Fuels" Forum Program.

Australia’s Green Building Solutions Forum

2012-01-19T11:00:00+10:00

A panel discussion on how Australia has become a global leader in the green building industry, its dominant role in the Asia Pacific region, and on the opportunities that exist for North American organisations to partner with Australian companies in the emerging growth centres of Asia Pacific. Featuring a presentation by the US Studies Centre's Robert Hill discussing the Australian Government’s Renewable Energy policy and effects of the carbon tax.

Emerging Asia working group

2012-01-18T14:00:00+10:00

Under the Alliance in the 21st Century project, the first meeting of the Emerging Asia working group took place in Washington DC. Participants included Nicholas Burns (Harvard University), James Fallows (Atlantic Magazine), Sean Gallagher (US Studies Centre), Devesh Kapur (University of Pennsylvania), Manik Suri (Harvard University), Michael L’Estrange (Australian National University), Andrew MacIntyre (Australian National University), Huw McKay (Westpac Bank), Kishore Mahbubani (National University of Singapore), Susan Shirk (University of California, San Diego) and Michael Wesley (Lowy Institute for International Policy).

Australia and the United States in the Asia-Pacific Century

2012-01-18T10:00:00+10:00

A policy symposium on the future of the US-Australian Alliance. To launch the Alliance in the 21st Century project, the Australian Ambassador to the United States, The Hon. Kim Beazley AC, in association with the US Studies Centre, hosted a small retreat at his Official Residence. It brought together senior policy makers, academics and business leaders from the United States and Australia to discuss defence and security and trade and investment issues in the Alliance.

Panel presentations followed by discussions moderated by Geoffrey Garrett and Russell Trood.

Australia - United States dialogue on green schools

2012-01-17T11:00:00+10:00

The forum highlighted the work being done in Australia and the US at a policy, research and business level in Green Building. It explored, amongst other topics, green building rating systems, the challenges and opportunities for retrofitting existing building stock and key learnings from the Living Building Challenge; and going beyond the highest green ratings in both countries.

Robert Hill and Howard Bamsey presented at the forum.

Defence, maritime science and Australia’s industrial maritime capability

2012-01-14T11:00:00+10:00

A discussion forum to highlight Australian Maritime technology capabilities, and identify and promote collaborative opportunities for both regions to meet energy and environmental needs. The US Studies Centre's Robert Hill participated in this event.

United States - Australia discussion on innovation

2012-01-11T19:00:00+10:00

A networking opportunity and panel discussion moderated by Nigel Warren, Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner – Australian Trade Commission.

The US Studies Centre was represented by Robert Hill, Howard Bamsey and Sean Gallagher.

United States - Australian dialogue on energy efficiency

2012-01-11T09:00:00+10:00

Energy efficiency experts from the United States and Australia collaborated on the respective strengths and similarities the countries have to offer.

The US Studies Centre's Robert Hill participated in a broad overview and perspective on energy technologies and developments in Australia with a special focus on energy efficiency. Robert Hill and Howard Bamsey participated in the closing discussion on public policy strategies.

Are the stars of Australian and US interests aligned in Antarctica?

2011-11-21T17:00:00+10:00

The Antarctic Treaty meeting scheduled for 2012 and recent speculation about the mineral resources of Antarctica have put the spotlight on Australia’s interests in the region. The US Studies Centre and Corrs Chambers Westgarth invited guests to attend a presentation by Dr Tony Press, CEO of the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre, one of Australia’s leading climate change institutions. Tony Press spent a decade as a senior representative of Australia in Antarctic affairs. During his presentation Dr Press explored the Antarctic interests that the US and Australia have in common, and where they differ, the future, and whether it is likely that Australian and US interests will clash in Antarctica.

Postgraduate Information Evening with special guest speaker Bob Carr

2011-10-06T18:00:00+10:00

Bob Carr spoke at our Postgraduate Information Evening. Bob Carr is a member of the US Studies Centre Board of Directors. He was a speaker at the 2011 National Summit. Bob Carr is the longest continuously serving Premier in New South Wales history. Born in 1947 he was educated at Matraville High School and the University of New South Wales. He was a journalist with ABC Radio and The Bulletin.

The climate change energy water nexus

2011-10-06T12:00:00+10:00

Professor Andrew Campbell, and Dr Jamie Pittock presented the climate change energy water nexus. They discussed a variety of topics such as: Conflicts and synergies between climate change, energy and water policies, tools to identify potential policy conflicts, measures to avoid perverse outcomes synergies through clever, integrated policy-making, the climate-carbon-energy-water nexus in northern Australia climate change adaptation implications of this nexus in the Northern Territory, especially around food security and what the Territory policy framework could look like if it took these issues on board.

Emergency Management and Business Continuity Summit

2011-09-20T08:30:00+10:00

The Emergency Management & Business Continuity Summit was a two-day event, staged at Dockside in Sydney, that aimed to draw on the expertise of front-line organisations – both public and private sector – that are dealing with enterprise-wide emergency management and business continuity programs – in Australia. This event featured Edward Blakely Honorary Professor in Urban Policy & disaster recovery expert and C. Ray Nagin, former Mayor of New Orleans.

Roundtable discussion on Psychology and Behavioural Economics with Professor Daniel Kahneman

2011-08-19T12:15:00+10:00

Daniel Kahneman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Public Affairs at Princeton University; and the winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences lead a roundtable discussion on Psychology and Behavioural Economics.

He discussed the psychology underpinning current applications of behavourial economics to financial behaviour, and described why normally rational, clear headed people with a wealth of information at their fingertips make questionable decisions based on gut instinct.

TEDxDubbo

2011-08-19T09:00:00+10:00

The aim of TEDxDubbo was to bring attention to FACETS – Food, Agriculture, Climate, Energy, Topsoil and Sustainability. These FACETS are actually potent ideas shared by everyday people with an interest in these disciplines. TEDxDubbo allowed the sharing of these ideas amongst 100+ inspirational thought leaders at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. One of the experts speaking at the conference was Dr Susan Pond, Adjunct Professor in the Dow Sustainability Program at the US Studies Centre. She spoke on the topic "Small Farmers: Enabling Heroes".

TEDxDubbo:The Good Carbon Story

2011-08-19T00:00:00+10:00

Ichsani Wheeler was one of the many speakers at the TEDxDubbo event. Ichsani is a young scientist as well as a mad keen gardener, lover of worms, fungi, and all lowly compostable things. With a succinct soft spot for home made aquaponics systems and soil that smells good enough to eat she has a long standing passion for agriculture, the environment and pragmatic approaches to the challenges of sustainability. After graduating from a Bachelor of Land and Water Science she worked as an environmental consultant to the design and development industries. Her project experience primarily focused on designing natural storm water treatment systems, waterway rehabilitation and urban design.

TEDxDubbo:The Complexity Imperative For A Sustainable Food System

2011-08-19T00:00:00+10:00

Professor John Crawford spoke at the TEDxDubbo event about the complexity imperative for a sustainable food system. John Crawford was awarded the prestigious Judith and David Coffey Chair in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Sydney in 2008. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Philosophy from the University and Glasgow and a PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics from the University of London. He switched fields to theoretical biology about 20 years ago and studies the factors that regulate the structure and function of ecological communities and particularly the soil-plant-microbe system.

Powering Ahead? Meeting our energy needs in the 21st Century

2011-08-18T16:00:00+10:00

Dr Jamie Pittock, the US Studies Centre's Program Leader for the Australia and United States Climate, Energy and Water Project, was a keynote speaker at this seminar in Darwin hosted by Charles Darwin University and The Australian National University.

A growing population and changing climate change are putting enormous pressure on governments and industry to find new, innovative ways to power our lives. Drawing on research from Australia, Europe and the United States, this seminar explored the complexities of the 'climate-energy-water' nexus, with a particular focus on meeting Darwin's needs for the coming decades.

In search of the People formerly known as the Audience

2011-08-18T12:15:00+10:00

Professor Marty Kaplan spoke on the topic "In search of the People formerly known as the Audience".

Martin Kaplan is the Norman Lear Professor of Entertainment, Media and Society at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism. His uncommonly broad career has also spanned government and politics, the entertainment industry and journalism.

A dialogue with Thomas Friedman on the world today

2011-08-02T19:00:00+10:00

Three-time Pulitzer Prize recipient for The New York Times and one of the world's most well-known and influential journalists discussed the trends that are shaping our world today at the Sydney Opera House. Thomas Friedman is the author of several best-selling books including The World Is Flat, which has sold more than four million copies in thirty-seven languages.