Water and climate, womanhood and gender, green solutions and housing in crisis. These are some of the thought-provoking conversations Southern Cross University researchers and academics will be part of on stage at the Byron Writers Festival this weekend.
Southern Cross University is proud to return as a major event partner of the festival for the 28th year, working together to spark meaningful discussions, share big ideas and inspire the next generation of writers.
During the three-day festival, held from 8-10 August, Southern Cross academics will be featured in a variety of panel discussions, sharing their expertise on diverse topics alongside award-winning writers, researchers, activists and thought leaders from around the world.
Kicking off the first day of the festival, Professor David Heilpern, Southern Cross University's Dean of Law, will join filmmaker, historian and author Santilla Chingaipe to discuss the stories of Australia's Black convicts from Africa, the Americas and Europe. As an author, lawyer and former NSW Chief Magistrate, throughout his legal career Professor Heilpern has fought for the cause of Aboriginal rights and the overrepresentation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system.
On the same afternoon, Dr James Sippo, a research fellow from the University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, will join a panel of notable climate scientists, writers and journalists to discuss the topic 'Water: Our Life'. As a biogeochemist whose research covers wetlands, coastal ecosystems, rivers and the role of natural systems in climate change mitigation, Dr Sippo will be part of an essential discussion on water and climate.
On Saturday 9 August, Professor Elizabeth Mossop, Director of the Living Lab Northern Rivers, will take part in an urgent discussion on the housing crisis, accelerated by climate change.
Sunday's program features a strong line-up of Southern Cross talent: Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, will join the 'Green Solutions' panel to explore the intersection of education, philanthropy and community action in the fight against climate change; Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Spongberg will return to her academic roots in women's and gender history in the 'Womanhood and Gender' discussion; and Dr Lynda Hawryluk will appear alongside acclaimed writers in a conversation about the best new and innovative fiction.
This year the University will also be offering one-on-one writing sessions at the festival, led by published author and Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education at Southern Cross University, Dr Aidan Coleman. The sessions will be held on site in the iconic Southern Cross Kombi van, with the aim to support budding writers to take the first step toward writing their book.
