Future Science Talks Sydney

Early and mid-career professionals are invited to feature in new public science talks in Sydney.

Image: Speakers from the November 2022 Future Science Talk

A group of science professionals have come together to create Future Science Talks, a fun new monthly show for the public in Sydney’s inner city.

The show, which takes place on the first Wednesday of each month, features six early to mid-career science professionals speaking about their latest work and activities.

Each night has the same format: every speaker has 10-minutes for their talk, immediately followed by a short Q&A.  Due to audience interest in learning about a wide spectrum of science, each show features an assortment of topics rather than being themed based. 

Science professionals from all backgrounds including research institutes, government organisations, non-profits and the private sector are encouraged to speak at the show.  

The EOI form for science professionals interested in speaking at the ongoing talk series is available here or via the Future Science Talks’ website. There is no deadline but early entries are encouraged as the program for the year is filling up!

I had a great time presenting at the talks last year, it was a really rewarding experience.  I enjoyed unpacking complex topics so that they were more easily understood by a public audience,” said Zoe Xirocostas, a PhD student at UNSW’s Evolution and Ecology Research Centre.

Speakers are offered a complimentary 1:1 presentation session with the show’s MC, David Crisante, a former journalist who led communications and fundraising teams at WWF-Australia and Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA).

The goal of Future Science Talks is to help early and mid-career professionals build their communication and presentation skills – particularly when speaking outside workplace and scientific circles,” said Mr Crisante.

We’ve designed the show so that it requires minimal effort for speakers – they can easily modify an existing scientific presentation,” he said.

The talks are held at the stylish bar – East Village Sydney in Darlinghurst – so that the audience can enjoy a meal or drink while listening to the speakers.  Each show has been sold out, with highly engaged audiences.

I’ve suggested to friends and colleagues that they should speak at the talks.  A highlight was meeting the other speakers on the night and getting to know them,” said Ms Xirocostas.

We are looking to connect science professionals with diverse audiences, and the show’s speakers are top of mind for other events that we are hoping to run this year,” said Mr Crisante.

Future Science Talks will feature in the Sydney Comedy Festival on 13 and 14 May, and will include up to ten speakers.

Talks topics so far have included: alcohol consumption, marine plastics, nanotechnology, mentally healthier workplaces, cellular plasticity in cancer, invasive species, organic solar cells, psychedelic therapies, the future of emojis and many more.


For more information about the talks, please visit the website www.futuresciencetalks.com.au

Future Science Talks Sydney, February 2023
Speakers: Alison Goldingay, Jonathan Danon, Caitlyn Forster, Anastasia Shavrova, Dilara Bahceci, and Sophie Debs
When: Wednesday 1 February
Where: East Village Sydney, Darlinghurst
More information and bookings