Events
School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne
The University is committed to hosting events and activations on its campuses in a COVIDSafe way, in accord with government restrictions and guidelines. Some of our events are presented on campus, others online – be sure to check the details. Find out more about the University’s COVIDSafe plans
Featured events
Jul
6
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Public Lecture
An evening with Thomas Mayo
The University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Press Club are delighted to host an interactive evening with Thomas Mayo on the Voice to Parliament.
The President of the Melbourne Press Club Ashlynne McGhee will interview Thomas Mayo, Uluru Statement from the Heart signatory and Indigenous advocate, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien have recently published a handbook on the Voice to Parliament that examines various issues surrounding the upcoming referendum, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the history of Indigenous advocacy and how the Voice can help to close the gap.
This is your chance to shape the conversation through interactive polls and Q&As, and to engage with Voice to Parliament issues that are important to you.
Don’t pass up this unique event. Register now, bring along your phone or tablet, and get ready to engage.
Jul
7
6:30pm - 7:30pm
Public Lecture
The extreme search for dark matter: Exploring the universe a kilometre underground
Presented by Professor Elisabetta Barberio, University of Melbourne
Scientists sometimes need to go to extreme lengths to find answers about the cosmos. This is exemplified by the new Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL) located a kilometre underground in regional Victoria. The motivation for SUPL began with the surprising discovery in the 20th century that ordinary matter makes up less than 5% of the mass of the universe. The rest of the universe appears to be made of a mysterious, invisible substance named dark matter (25%), and a force that repels gravity known as dark energy (70%). So far, neither has been directly detected, though physicists know dark matter must exist because of its gravitational effects on galaxies and other astrophysical phenomena.
Finding dark matter requires a very sheltered environment deep underground – far from cosmic ray-induced particles – to observe deep space phenomena far below the surface of Earth: this is what SUPL provides. Creating this new underground lab as an extreme project, which now provides the home for the SABRE South experiment: a new detector designed to catch the rare dalliances of these elusive cosmic messengers with ordinary matter.
From the depths of a mine shielded from cosmic rays, we will get a glimpse of one of the deepest mysteries of the universe.
For those who wish to arrive early for networking, doors will open at 5:30pm with complimentary wine and nibbles available from 5:30-6:30pm.
About the July Lectures in Physics
Every Friday in July, since 1968, the July Lectures in Physics have been informing and entertaining the public. Each year, eminent University of Melbourne and visiting physicists present historical and up-to-the-minute perspectives on a current topic in physics.
