News and events
Socratic Forums
The topic for the 2008 Socratic Forum series is:
“That the responsibility to protect must override national sovereignty?”
We are keen to establish a national public forum that will encourage frank and open debate of issues of importance to the Australian community, without the frequent bias resulting from affiliations or attributes. Currently, much of our political debate is excessively confrontational and polarised because of political, religious, gender, ethnic, cultural, or other frameworks. It is our intention to see topics debated on their merits, without these frameworks influencing the outcomes.
The Socratic Forum has two lead speakers, one taking the affirmative, the other the negative. In addition, up to four people debate the various positions presented by either one, or both, of the two lead speakers. Finally, the topic is open for general discussion with the audience.
Again, the central feature of the evening is for speakers to set aside any attitudes and constraints based solely on party political affiliations, religion, race, gender and so forth. Indeed, people of different philosophical persuasions may actually agree and support the same points of view; presenting their deliberations in a spirit of Socratic debate – hence the name. The sole value will be in the argument.
News
Congratulations to Professor Brendan Gleeson
Congratulations to Professor Brendan Gleeson, Director Urban Research Program, who has been elected a Fellow of The Academy of Social Sciences in Australia (ASSA).
"Raising the Bar", by Kathryn Graham and Ross Homel
This book provides a definitive review of knowledge about bar room environments and their regulation, and provides directions for the prevention of aggression, violence and injury in and around public drinking establishments.
Research experts picked to shape new ERA
Griffith University is one of the best represented universities in preparing for the country's research assessment exercise Excellence in Research Australia (ERA).