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Debate@Go8 is the Group of Eight’s podcast series exploring the issues shaping Australia’s universities, economy and society. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leading researchers, university leaders, policymakers, and industry figures, examining the ideas, opportunities and challenges that will shape Australia’s future. Produced by the Go8, Debate@Go8 is where expertise informs debate. The Go8 represents Australia's leading research-intensive universities: Adelaide University, The Australian National University, The University of Melbourne, Monash University, UNSW Sydney, The University of Queensland, the University of Sydney and The University of Western Australia.

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Check latest episodes from Debate@Go8 podcast

Episode 56 – Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor and President, The University of Western Australia

2026/10/01

Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Western Australia, discusses the thinking behind UWA’s recent move into India and plans for the wider region; Australia’s long and proud history of international education – both inwards and outwards; the current political environment around international education in Australia; and his own incredible journey that started in the hills of Bangladesh and took him to Algeria, Canada and eventually Perth. Recorded November 2025.

Episode 55 - Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, European Commission

2026/06/17

We examine the importance of Australia's imminent association to the world's largest research and innovation programme with the European Commission's Chief Negotiator for Horizon Europe, Maria Cristina Russo - the Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. Recorded June 2026.

Episode 54 - Professor Marco Fiorentini - Director, ARC Centre in Critical Resources for the Future

2026/04/13

Professor Marco Fiorentini from The University of Western Australia and Director of the ARC Centre in Critical Resources for the Future, discusses why Australia’s strength in critical minerals is not just about what’s in the ground - but about the research capability, skills and innovation needed to find, extract and process them responsibly. Recorded November 2025.

Episode 53 - Professor Sharon Pickering, Vice-Chancellor, Monash University

2025/11/09

Professor Sharon Pickering is an internationally renowned criminologist who's worked with governments worldwide to combat sex trafficking and family violence, and is a passionate advocate for the benefits of international education. Recorded May 2025.

Episode 52 - Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Rick Burr and Major General (Ret’d) Paul Symon - Part 2

2025/09/29

Part 2 of a thought-provoking two-part episode featuring the Co-Chairs of the Group of Eight Defence & Security Committee - Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Rick Burr, former Chief of Army and Major General (Ret’d) Paul Symon, former Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. In Part 2 these distinguished defence and intelligence leaders underscore the vital role of Australia’s leading universities in advancing national security, research integrity, and innovation.

Episode 51 - Major General (Ret’d) Paul Symon and Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Rick Burr

2025/09/03

Part 1 of a timely and thought-provoking two-part episode featuring Major General (Ret’d) Paul Symon, former Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, and Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Rick Burr, former Chief of Army. As co-chairs of the Group of Eight Defence & Security Committee, these distinguished leaders offer a rare insider’s perspective on the evolving national security landscape. Recorded May 2025.

Episode 50 - Professor Emma Johnston AO, Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne

2025/07/15

We're celebrating our 50th episode with a chat with The Group of Eight’s newest Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emma Johnston from the University of Melbourne. Professor Johnston is a world-leading marine biologist, an influential figure in Australia’s higher education sector and a prominent advocate for science and technology and women in STEM. She's also UniMelb's first female chief.

Episode 49 – Jason Collins, CEO of the European Australian Business Council (EABC)

2025/06/02

European Australian Business Council CEO Jason Collins discusses how the current global uncertainty impacting international trade and geo-politics has re-opened the door to resume negotiations on the stalled EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement - and along with that, the opportunity for Australia to join the world's largest research fund, Horizon Europe - the benefits to both parties in securing an agreement and the ramifications for research and innovation – and Australia’s universities in general – that this could bring. Recorded May 2025.

Episode 48 – Professor Stephen J Simpson, Inaugural Academic Director, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney

2025/04/14

Professor Stephen J Simpson’s world-leading research on nutrition – which all began 37 years ago by looking into the eating habits of locusts - is changing the way we look at human diets today. He has just stepped down as the Inaugural Academic Director at the Charles Perkins Centre, a multidisciplinary research centre committed to improving global health. Recorded April 2024.

Episode 47 - Professor Greg Neely, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney

2025/02/25

Professor Neely on his ground-breaking work using gene-editing technology to help develop new anti-venoms for snake bites and Box Jellyfish stings. He also discusses how an interest in pain led him to the work he is doing now with venoms and how this work, in turn, may lead to breakthroughs around pain in the future.

Episode 46 - The human face of the international student debate

2024/11/18

The legislation that would have allowed for the capping of international student numbers looks doomed to fail - with the Coalition and the Greens opposing it. However, the debate around international students continues to rage - wrapped up as it is - erroneously - in arguments about cost of living, housing and immigration. We wanted to put a human face to our international students, so we invited three of them - Ayesha Shaikh from the University of Sydney, Bolong Du from The University of Queensland and Cyrus Cheng from UNSW - into the pod booth to tell us about their motivations, hopes and experiences as international students in Australia. Recorded November 2024.

Episode 45 - Professor James Laurenceson, Director, Australia-China Relations Institute

2024/11/11

Professor James Laurenceson discusses the role of the Australia-China Relations Institute, Australia's relationship with China, research collaboration, international students, foreign interference and navigating AUKUS with China. Recorded April 2024.

Episode 44 - Dr Michael Buckland, founder and director of the Australian Brain Bank

2024/09/24

Dr Michael Buckland on the risk of developing CTE from head knocks and the need for better regulation in contact sport.

Episode 43 – CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Doug Hilton AO

2024/08/14

CSIRO Chief Dr Doug Hilton discusses the CSIRO’s role and importance to Australia, his life before the CSIRO and the importance of increasing the nation’s spend on research & development. Recorded May 2024.

Episode 42 - Allegra Spender MP, Federal Member for Wentworth

2024/06/11

Federal Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender MP, discusses the current debate around universities and migration, the housing crisis, tax reform, the energy transition and even the unexpected joy of politics. Recorded May 2024.