Stan Grant | David Cooper Lecture

Soul blindness: how a sick society is killing us all

In the 2024 David Cooper Lecture, award-winning journalist, writer and scholar Stan Grant will draw on his Aboriginal culture, years covering the world’s conflict zones and PhD in theology to argue that we are “spiritually sick”, and politics is no answer to the “wounds of the soul”.

Stan believes we are entering the twilight of modernity. The promise of perpetual peace has descended into a war of all against all. Identity – both individual and collective – has supplanted civic bonds. Trust, truth and faith have been replaced by cynicism and self-adulation. Gross inequality is a cancer on society. Mental illness is at record levels. Democracy is in retreat and authoritarianism on the rise.

At the heart of this malaise is a moral atrophy, the sign of an alienated society. What chance, therefore, for the marginalised?

Join us for an evening of discussion with Stan Grant as he takes a bigger picture view of health and the crisis in modern western culture.

This event is co-presented by the , and

ABOUT THE DAVID COOPER LECTURE

The David Cooper Lecture honours the legacy of the Kirby Institute’s founding director, Professor David Cooper AC, who passed away in 2018. David was an internationally renowned scientist and HIV clinician who laid the foundations for Australia’s ongoing leadership in the fight against the global HIV epidemic.

Make a donation today to support David Cooper’s incredible vision for equitable access to healthcare: unsw.to/DavidCooperMemorialFund.

Leighton Hall is located inside the John Niland Scientia Building at UNSW Sydney's Kensington campus. Please note this is a live event only, and will not be available via livestream.

Wheelchair Access

The closest accessible drop off point to Leighton Hall is via Gate 11, Botany Street. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.

Assisted Listening

Leighton Hall utilises hearing assistive technology available. Patrons wishing to use this service must collect a Roger™ inductive neck loop receiver from the venue staff, and this system can be used with a hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil, or with headphones.

Auslan & Captioning

Auslan interpreting services and/or live captioning can be provided for selected talks upon request.

Contact

To book and discuss access services, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email [email protected].

Leighton Hall (John Niland Scientia Building) is easily accessible via public transport. The closest light rail stop is the UNSW High Street (L2 line) and the closes bus stop is UNSW Gate 14, Barker Street (303). For more information please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

Free parking is also available in the Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) from 5.30pm. For access to free parking, event patrons must park in the UNSW Permit Holder bays, available on all levels. The Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) parking station is located here.

Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. For more information head here.

For all enquiries please email [email protected] or call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485.

The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. Internet relay users, visit relayservice.gov.au, then ask for 02 9065 0485.

Stan Grant
Stan Grant is a Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi man and one of Australia’s most respected and awarded journalists. He is Distinguished Professor and Chair of Yindyamarra Nguluway Trust at Charles Sturt University. In 2016, he was appointed to the Referendum Council on Indigenous recognition. Stan is Professor of Indigenous Belonging at Charles Sturt University.

Stan has worked for the ABC, SBS, the Seven Network, and Sky News Australia and, from 2001 to 2012, worked for CNN as an anchor and senior correspondent in Asia and the Middle East. Over the course of his career, he has received a string of prestigious international and Australian awards.

In 2015, Stan won a Walkley Award for his coverage of Indigenous affairs and, in 2016, his acclaimed bestselling book, Talking to My Country, won a Walkley Book Award. He has since published another two books, Australia Day and With the Falling of the Dusk, both national bestsellers. Stan’s most recent book is The Queen is Dead.

Brett Biles

Associate Professor Brett Biles is a Murrawarri man originally from Brewarrina. He has been living on Wiradjuri country for the last 20 years. Brett is the inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Engagement and Research at UNSW. Brett has contributed to Indigenous health and wellbeing for the last 15 years. Prior to this role Brett was the inaugural Associate Dean Indigenous of the Faculty of Medicine and Health and a Senior Scientia Lecturer. Brett was also the inaugural Director of Indigenous Health Education in the Faculty of Medicine and Health.

Brett holds a Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Indigenous Health and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Brett’s research focuses on Aboriginal health and wellbeing. Brett is a Chief Investigator on multiple Australian Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund Aboriginal health and wellbeing related research projects.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Leighton Hall, John Niland Scientia Building, UNSW Kensington, Sydney, Australia