Events

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it becomes imperative to document and reflect upon the narratives of those directly impacted. This presentation offers an insight into this moment of global significance through the lens of one of the earliest anthologies of Hiroshima survivor testimonies, Personal Accounts of the Atomic Bomb (原爆体験記). Proposed in 1950 by Hiroshima City’s first democratically elected mayor, the anthology contains twenty-nine firsthand accounts detailing the events of 6 August 1945. Yet despite the poignancy of these testimonies, the survivor’s voices underwent systematic censorship during both wartime and the subsequent post-war occupation era, relegating their narratives to obscurity until 1965.

These accounts transcend mere historical documentation, serving as invaluable pedagogical tools for future generations. They evoke empathy, foster understanding and inspire a collective commitment to peace. With the passage of time inexorably claiming the lives of survivors, their written narratives assume paramount significance.

Soon, only their written and recorded accounts will remain as a testament to the events. Against the backdrop of escalating nuclear tensions, symbolised by the ominous advancement of the Doomsday Clock to 90 seconds to midnight, the accessibility of texts elucidating the horrors of nuclear devastation assumes heightened importance in our contemporary context.

This seminar is part of the Inagaki Seminar series.

Join our panel of mathematical eco-warriors and learn how they are using the power of numbers and new models to help protect life on Earth.

To avert catastrophic climate change and preserve our biodiversity, nations, industries, communities, and individuals must swiftly deploy a wide range of tactics and technologies.

Join us on Monday 12 August for Model citizens: How mathematicians are helping the planet in the Science Gallery Theatre or online.

Our expert panellists will share how they are using the power of numbers, big data, and new models to help nurture all life on Earth.

Panel:

• Dr Douglas Brumley
• Professor Jennifer Flegg
• Associate Professor Guoqi Qian

Moderator:

• Dr Graham Phillips

The Science at Melbourne Lecture series is the premier public event series from the Faculty of Science. The event program seeks to share our knowledge and love of science with the wider community, engaging them in current research and empowering them to ask questions and act for a better world. The series runs throughout the year covering scientific research, discoveries, and theories that play exciting or unexpected roles in shaping and advancing our society.