Events

2025 Seabrook Chambers Public Lecture

Australians rely on, and trust in, the impartiality and independence of our judiciary system. But we should not take this for granted.

Across the world, new threats to judicial independence are emerging. Ever-evolving technology, social media, fake news, artificial intelligence and resurgent political populism are posing new challenges.

Public confidence in Australia’s judiciary is high but this confidence needs protecting. Our faith in the courts and judicial system remain essential for the administration of justice and the rule of law. Australia is not immune to judicial controversies weakening public trust across our other democratic societies.

In this lecture, the Honourable Justice Lincoln Crowley of the Supreme Court of Queensland will break down the challenges facing judiciary independence and the administration of justice in Australia, and what can be done to counter these threats.

Join us for an exploration of the human eye’s hidden world at the inaugural 2025 Seeing Beyond Lecture, “Watching Ocular Immune Cells in Action”, hosted by the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences.

This event will feature Dr Phil Bedggood and Professor Laura Downie, who will present advancements in in vivo imaging of immune cells in the human eye, highlighting new developments in techniques and how they can impact disease and the development of new treatments in the cornea and the retina.

This event will also mark the launch of the Diabetes Eye Screening Investigation Clinic (DESIC), based at the Melbourne Eyecare Clinic with the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences. DESIC offers best-practice diabetes eye care, is integrated into the Doctor of Optometry clinical teaching program, and has a research arm that aims to advance knowledge of diabetic eye disease.