This webinar is part of a series for NSW secondary teachers that examines some of the most pressing civic, political and social issues in 2026.
Why does it feel like expert knowledge is under more pressure than ever, and what role do new information tools play in that shift? This session examines the cultural and political pushback against expertise, and how the idea that “everyone has access to knowledge”, through Wikipedia, Google, ChatGPT, and more, can both empower and mislead.
We explore how trust in knowledge is built and lost, why misinformation sticks, and how teachers can help students evaluate claims with greater rigour, without jumping to conclusions or reflexively dismissing expertise.
Register for this webinar
Professor Brendon O'Connor
Professor of US Politics and US Foreign RelationsUnited States Studies Centre (jointly appointed with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Sydney)
Olivia Shen
Director, Strategic TechnologiesUnited States Studies Centre
Mari Koeck
Director of Engagement and ImpactUnited States Studies CentreMore webinars for teachers
This webinar covered the issues that are driving political polarisation, why it has intensified, and how it is changing elections and everyday civic debate.
Register now for this webinar on Tuesday, 8 September. Teachers will learn practical ways to teach privacy as a real-world HSIE issue, not just an online safety lesson.
Register now for this webinar on Thursday, 5 November. Get a clear, teacher-friendly briefing on what the midterms are, what is emerging from the results, and what to watch for next.
The series is delivered by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, a NESA-recognised professional development provider, and is supported by the Australian National University’s National Security College.
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