What role can the arts and creativity play in navigating unresolved concerns, ongoing debates and controversial questions for our communities?

Exploring complex topics, from reconciliation and truth-telling in the context of colonialism to polarising social or political issues, this symposium will feature exchanges between leading artists and researchers from Australia and Northern Ireland about difficult conversations we, as a globally connected society, need to have today.

The conversations

The Launch

What role can the arts and creativity play in navigating unresolved concerns, ongoing debates and controversial questions for our communities?

This panel discussion opened the UC difficult conversations event featuring a conversa­tion between university leaders and artists from Canberra and Ulster.

University of Canberra

Difficult Stories: Creativity, Curation, Culture

Ursula K. Frederick in conversation with Steve Brown, Ashley Harrison, Wendy Somerville, Bethaney Turner

University of Canberra

The Bullock at the Mudhole

Paul Collis, Jen Crawford, Wayne Knight, Story Ground Collective
Barkindji Country & Ngemba Country: Gundabooka, Toorale Station, Bourke, Brewarrina

University of Canberra

Creativity in Difficult Spaces: Creative Interventions with Veterans and First Responders

Vahri McKenzie in conversation with Tony Eaton, Geoff Grey, and Paul Magee

University of Canberra

Paul Moore in Conversation with Ara Devine

Paul Moore talks with filmmaker Ara Devine about the subjects within and the process behind the making of his award-winning short film ‘TURF’ – exploring the experience of life on the border in Ireland and the brief encounter between one man who lives there and a displaced Syrian refugee.

Watch TURF – A Short Film by Ara Devine.

Ulster University

Revelation, Reckoning, and Recovery

Continuing the critical conversations around child sexual abuse in Australia in the wake of the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (RCICSA, 2013-17).

University of Canberra

UC acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where the Bruce campus is situated.

We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region.

We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather.