Bright Minds, Bold Voices

What happens when an influential Australian changemaker meets a trailblazing scientist?

To find out, join the Australian Academy of Science for the 2026 Public Speaker Series.

Each event in the series will pair a notable public figure with a top scientist, researcher or innovator. Together with ABC Canberra's Lish Fejer, they will explore the big issues shaping our future on topics such as STEM education, health and wellbeing, food security, climate change, and more.

Expect boundary-pushing ideas, sharp insights into challenges, and fresh perspectives on what matters.

More details, including speakers, to be announced early 2026.

2026 series details

Event dates

The events are held at the Shine Dome in Canberra on the second Tuesday of every second month, commencing April 2026.

Tuesday 14 April
Tuesday 9 June
Tuesday 11 August
Tuesday 13 October
Tuesday 8 December

Event tickets

Series passes to attend all five events are available until Tuesday 14 April 2026. After this date tickets to individual events will be made available. For those wishing to attend only the April event, please email events@science.org.au.

Series pass: $95.00 / $75.00 (students)

• Includes:
  • attendance at all five events at the Shine Dome
  • canapés and drinks before each event
  • priority opportunity to engage with speakers during audience Q&A sessions
  • access to event recordings.

Online series pass: Free (optional contribution to help the Academy cover costs and ensure livestream can remain free and accessible for all)

• Includes:
  • access to livestream of all five events
  • opportunity to engage with speakers during audience Q&A sessions via the online form
  • access to all event recordings.

Single event ticket: $22.00 / $17.00 (students)

• Includes:
  • attendance at one event at the Shine Dome
  • canapés and drinks before the event
  • priority opportunity to engage with speakers during audience Q&A
  • access to event recording.

Online single event ticket: Free (optional contribution to help the Academy cover costs and ensure livestream can remain free and accessible for all)

• Includes:
  • access to livestream of one event
  • opportunity to engage with speakers during audience Q&A via the online form
  • access to event recording.

Series host

The Academy is pleased to welcome back ABC's Lish Fejer as the host for all the events across this series. As a seasoned radio broadcaster and passionate science communicator, Lish will deliver illuminating sessions with her engaging style and thought-provoking questions.

Series convenor

Thank you to our series convenor for 2026:

• Professor Steve Simpson AC FAA FRS

Series partner and supporter

Academy events

The Australian Academy of Science’s public speaker series is a long-standing initiative that informs, educates and inspires. To view recordings of past events, visit the series page on the Academy website.

To hear more about Academy events and activities, subscribe to the range of newsletters delivered to inboxes around the world.

Support the Academy

The Australian Academy of Science is an independent organisation of distinguished Australian scientists, championing science for the benefit of all. Our mission is to advance Australia as a nation that embraces scientific knowledge and whose people enjoy the benefits of science.

Donations to the Academy play an important role in bringing science to the service of our nation, and for all Australians. Your support helps us to contribute to the overall progress of science in our country and across the globe.