Tuesday Forums

Forums have a "current affairs" focus covering local events, politics, science, the environment and international events.

Sessions are held via Zoom typically on Tuesdays at 12:30 pm and run from February to early June and from mid-July to November.

There are two registration options:

* Pre-register for all talks during the year and you will automatically be sent Zoom login details each week, i.e. there will not be any need to register on a weekly basis.
* Register on a weekly basis for the Forums which interest you. Registration will open in the week preceding the talk and the details are advertised with each Forum.

Access PAST FORUMS (log in required)

Date	Forum details
25 August	The Alchemy of Leadership - Seven Australian Prime Ministers Paul Strangio, Professor of Politics, Monash University Paul is one of Australia's leading political historians and commentators. He has written extensively on Australian political leadership, Labor history and the office of prime minister. He is the author and co-author of numerous books on Australian politics and is a regular media commentator on national affairs. "The Alchemy of Leadership" examines the seven Australian prime ministers who have led the nation since 2000 and how changing political, economic and social pressures have reshaped the prime ministership. The book analyses leadership styles, achievements and failures and asks whether the increasingly turbulent political environment has made effective government more difficult. 👉Registrations open 18 Aug 9AM and close 24 Aug 5PM. To register email Include your U3A membership number in the email.
1 September	Think Tanks: What Role Do They Play in Policy Development? Alex Gosman, former industry association executive Dr Malcolm Roberts, Australian Institute of Petroleum This session explores how think tanks influence public policy, political debate and government decision-making, and why their role is growing in response to increasingly complex policy challenges. It will also examine the difference between a think tank and a lobbying organisation such as an industry association. Alex is a former industry association executive specialising in public policy. Malcolm is a former Productivity Commission Commissioner with extensive experience in public policy and the energy sector, including as Chief of Staff to a Federal Minister. He is CEO of the Australian Institute of Petroleum and continues to undertake regulatory work for the Queensland Government. 👉Registrations open 25 Aug 9AM and close 31 Aug 5PM. To register email Include your U3A membership number in the email.
8 September	Australian Dictionary of Biography Dr Michelle Staff (she/her), Online & Outreach Manager, Australian Dictionary of Biography/National Centre of Biography, ANU Michelle will provide an overview of the "Australian Dictionary of Biography" (ADB), Australia's leading national biographical reference work. Published by the ANU, the ADB contains scholarly biographies of notable Australians from politics, business, the arts, science and community life. Established in 1957, it is written and reviewed by historians and experts and is freely available online. Michelle will also demonstrate the new ADB website adb.anu.edu.au/ A historian and researcher, Michelle has extensive experience in Australian history and biography, including search, research and editorial work with the Australian Dictionary of Biography. 👉Registrations open 1 Sep 9AM and close 7 Sep 5PM. To register email Include your U3A membership number in the email.

Date

Forum details

25 August

The Alchemy of Leadership - Seven Australian Prime Ministers

Paul Strangio, Professor of Politics, Monash University

Paul is one of Australia's leading political historians and commentators. He has written extensively on Australian political leadership, Labor history and the office of prime minister. He is the author and co-author of numerous books on Australian politics and is a regular media commentator on national affairs.

"The Alchemy of Leadership" examines the seven Australian prime ministers who have led the nation since 2000 and how changing political, economic and social pressures have reshaped the prime ministership. The book analyses leadership styles, achievements and failures and asks whether the increasingly turbulent political environment has made effective government more difficult.

👉Registrations open 18 Aug 9AM and close 24 Aug 5PM.

To register email
Include your U3A membership number in the email.

1 September

Think Tanks: What Role Do They Play in Policy Development?

Alex Gosman, former industry association executive
Dr Malcolm Roberts, Australian Institute of Petroleum

This session explores how think tanks influence public policy, political debate and government decision-making, and why their role is growing in response to increasingly complex policy challenges. It will also examine the difference between a think tank and a lobbying organisation such as an industry association.

Alex is a former industry association executive specialising in public policy. Malcolm is a former Productivity Commission Commissioner with extensive experience in public policy and the energy sector, including as Chief of Staff to a Federal Minister. He is CEO of the Australian Institute of Petroleum and continues to undertake regulatory work for the Queensland Government.

👉Registrations open 25 Aug 9AM and close 31 Aug 5PM.

To register email

Include your U3A membership number in the email.

8 September

Australian Dictionary of Biography

Dr Michelle Staff (she/her), Online & Outreach Manager, Australian Dictionary of Biography/National Centre of Biography, ANU

Michelle will provide an overview of the "Australian Dictionary of Biography" (ADB), Australia's leading national biographical reference work. Published by the ANU, the ADB contains scholarly biographies of notable Australians from politics, business, the arts, science and community life. Established in 1957, it is written and reviewed by historians and experts and is freely available online.

Michelle will also demonstrate the new ADB website adb.anu.edu.au/

A historian and researcher, Michelle has extensive experience in Australian history and biography, including search, research and editorial work with the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

👉Registrations open 1 Sep 9AM and close 7 Sep 5PM.

To register email

Include your U3A membership number in the email.

👉For enquiries or any issues with meeting links, email