Events

We are engaged in an unprecedented global experiment: what happens when people and ecosystems – even in remote parts of the planet – are constantly exposed to thousands of chemical pollutants from industry, agriculture, transport and other human activities? For many recently discovered contaminants in soil, water and air, there is minimal information available on their environmental behaviour or toxicology yet significant potential to affect human health.

Meet a panel of experts building understanding of the chemistry and bioactivity of pollutants and developing safe and effective solutions to reduce their production, persistence, and impacts.

Speakers will include:

• Associate Professor Suzie Reichman
• Associate Professor Brad Clarke

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.

Melbourne Demolition Atlas Workshop is an exhibition and discussion on demolition created by ACAN. ACAN opposes the prevailing assumption that demolition and rebuilding are the only viable options. Instead, it advocates for the immense potential of preserving, adapting, and transforming existing structures to meet future needs.

Held in the Old Microbiology Building at the University of Melbourne — slated for demolition under the Estate Master Plan — the exhibition presents architectural drawings and photographs that highlight the social and environmental value of this and other significant buildings. Designed by renowned Melbourne architect Frederik Romberg (of Grounds, Romberg, and Boyd), the Old Microbiology Building serves as a case study in the broader conversation on heritage, sustainability, and the built environment.

In addition to the exhibition, ACAN will host a discussion exploring various demolition narratives from across the city, featuring insights from researchers, practitioners, and writers. Attendees are also invited to contribute to the Melbourne Demolition Atlas, an ongoing project documenting threatened and demolished buildings across the city. Part of a growing international series — including demolition atlases in Sweden, the UK, Finland, and Switzerland — this initiative preserves the stories of lost spaces and informs the conversation about the future of our built environment.