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Raising the Bar Adelaide 2025
Aug5

20 TALKS. 10 BARS. 1 NIGHT.
Raising the Bar Adelaide is back!
The award-winning event returns to the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, bringing bold ideas and brilliant minds into your favourite local bars and pubs.
For one night only, ten venues will be transformed into pop-up lecture spaces as 20 speakers deliver thought-provoking talks on a wide range of fascinating topics.
Tickets are free and bookings are recommended!
Venue Name | Time | Speaker Name | Lecture Title | Lecture Description |
The Rising Sun Inn | 6.30pm | Trish Evelyn | Breathless and Burnout - A silent epidemic no one is talking about | In a world obsessed with productivity, we’ve forgotten how to breathe — and it’s costing us our wellbeing. In this thought-provoking and heartfelt talk, Trish Evelyn challenges cultural norms around stress, burnout and emotional suppression. Drawing from her work with kids and teens, and her personal journey through grief, she reveals how functional breathing can rewire the nervous system, build resilience and create lasting change — not just for ourselves, but for the future — our children. Blending science, story and solution, this is a powerful conversation that will stay with you long after the last exhale. |
8.00pm | Ali Ahmadi | Resilience Reimagined - From refugee to industry leader | In a world that often equates resilience with relentless hustle, this talk offers a powerful reframe. Ali Ahmadi shares a deeply personal perspective, one forged through lived experience. From being smuggled across borders and facing gunfire in the search for freedom, to becoming a respected leader in Australia’s water industry, Ali’s journey challenges conventional ideas of strength and endurance. Having shared his message with thousands as a keynote speaker, Ali doesn’t just change minds, he moves hearts. This is more than a story of survival; it’s a blueprint for sustainable leadership, personal growth and navigating change in an ever-evolving world. | |
Maylands Hotel | 6.30pm | Larissa Jones | Beyond the Mirror - Building self-esteem with our teens | What if beauty wasn’t something to live up to, but something to grow into? In this empowering talk, we’ll explore how modern beauty standards and social media are shaping teen and female self-worth—and how we can change the conversation. Through personal stories, interactive tools and tangible activities, we’ll unpack the pressures of the digital world and offer practical ways to build real confidence in our teens. This isn’t about makeup tips—it’s about helping young people feel boldly beautiful from the inside out. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or teen, join us to shift how we see and support the next generation. |
8.00pm | William Ngiam | Attention! Are we losing it? | Oxford’s Word of the Year for 2024 was “brain rot”—internet slang for the loss of cognitive capacities from overconsumption of online content. This reflects the widespread concern that the ability to concentrate and focus is getting worse in the digital age. But what do we know about this? In this talk, William will walk through the current evidence on the impact of digital technology on attention, hoping to clarify what is known and what remains unknown. Through his explanation, he will hope to convey the importance of psychology research in generating critical insights to help address this societal issue. | |
Ferg's Stepney | 6.30pm | Dr. Tamara Fletcher | ‘The Past is Prologue’: Returning to a warm Arctic |
The Arctic is changing faster than we imagined, faster than our models can explain, four times faster than the global average. |
8.00pm | Jasmin Ilic | The Cyber Crisis We’re Ignoring - fear isn’t the solution |
When her neighbour’s house was burgled, she chained her door the next night. A few months later, when another neighbour was targeted, she installed cameras. So, why, when she heard about the business next to her being hit by ransomware, did she not take immediate action? This session dives deep into the psychology behind cyber security education and why it’s failing to drive real change. With individual losses up 17% year-on-year and the Australian economy now losing billions, we’re clearly missing the mark. It’s not a lack of information: it’s a breakdown in how we deliver it. Fear may be increasing anxiety, but it’s not inspiring action. |
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The Colonist | 6.30pm | Elle Holiday | Honey, Lemon, and Other Lies - What really keeps your voice healthy? | Most of what we’ve been told about looking after our voice is wrong. From whispering when hoarse to sipping lemon tea before speaking, this session busts myths and replaces them with real, evidence-based vocal health strategies used by clinical voice therapists and professional voice users. You’ll walk away knowing what actually helps (and what doesn’t) when your voice is tired, scratchy, or lost. With live practical demonstrations, this session is perfect for anyone who talks for a living – from teachers to retail workers – and will leave you surprised, informed, and ready to speak with confidence. |
8.00pm | Dr. Scott Zarcinas | The Bicycle Shop of the Mind: How to Build a Life of Balance, Joy & Freedom | Discover key strategies to lift your life in this inspiring talk by DoctorZed, who shares the seven essential keys to personal growth and happiness. Learn why most people struggle, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what successful people know that you can use to achieve your goals. The talk features the Bicycle Model—a simple framework to bring it all together and maximise your potential. Whether you’re curious or keen to grow, this presentation offers practical advice and clear steps to help you find balance, joy and lasting success. Join us to unlock your full potential. | |
The Alma | 6.30pm | Associate Professor Shohreh Sherry Majd | How Emotional Intelligence Helps You Handle Life, People and Stress | Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a powerful skill that helps us navigate everyday challenges, build better relationships, and manage stress effectively. In this engaging talk, you’ll discover what EQ really means and why it matters in your personal and professional life. Professor Shohreh Sherry Majd will explore how to recognise your emotions, understand others better, and respond rather than react in difficult situations. With real-life examples and practical tips, this session will help you boost your self-awareness, empathy, and resilience, the key ingredients for a happier, healthier, and more successful life. |
8.00pm | Dr. Sonja Frolich | Fighting Pathogens with Pixels: AI & microscopes in disease research | Join Dr. Frolich on a journey into the invisible world of infectious diseases, where cutting-edge microscopes and artificial intelligence are helping scientists fight diseases like malaria and dysentery. Discover how high-resolution imaging reveals the hidden lives of pathogens and how AI is transforming the way we analyse microscopic data faster, smarter, and more accurately than ever before. From blood smears to breakthrough discoveries, this talk uncovers how merging biology with image informatics is expediting scientific discovery. Whether you're curious about science or passionate about health, you'll gain a new appreciation for the tiny invaders that shape global health, and the tech fighting back. | |
Robin Hood Hotel | 6.30pm | John Boland | Mallee Magic |
When 53 hectares at Monarto were purchased 40 years ago, the Mallee was considered rubbish country. Today, it’s an environmental hotspot under a permanent heritage agreement. Early efforts included mistakes—such as planting a weedy WA wattle—but with time and knowledge, biodiversity was improved using locally sourced provenance plants. The property is home to the nationally endangered Prostanthera eurybioides, protected in collaboration with botanists for over 30 years. Its only other known population is 400 kilometres away. A $100,000 Native Vegetation Council grant now supports a goal to boost biodiversity by 20% over 10 years. Local contractors and volunteers are involved, and education days continue to share the Magic of the Mallee. This is the story of 40 years caring for a biological hotspot—restoring habitat, protecting rare plants, and inspiring future generations. |
8.00pm | Chris Bryant | Urban Jungle | Sophie Thompson of Gardening Australia described our garden as an urban jungle. Despite decreasing rainfall and rising temperatures, we produce a third of our own food and keep our home comfortable and energy efficient. The joy of living in this environment comes from listening to the frogs and birds while enjoying delicious, seasonal produce from the garden. An urban jungle may appear chaotic, but it involves a great deal of design, planning, soil management, learning from failures, and managing drought and extreme heat. How do we do it? Come and share our journey. | |
Payneham Tavern | 6.30pm | Veronica Soebarto | Resilient housing for older people: How to get ready for future climatesResilient housing for older people: How to get ready for future climates |
As Australia’s population ages, improving living environments for older people is more important than ever. This talk presents new guides to help make homes more resilient to future climates—especially as we age. Developed by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Adelaide, the guides draw on research in architecture, public health, and gerontology, involving over 400 older South Australians since 2018. The talk will share key findings and outline practical, affordable actions individuals can take to improve home resilience. Free hard and soft copies of the guides will be available. |
8.00pm | Susan Hazel | 10 Things to Stop Doing So Your Dog Can Live a Better Life | We love our dogs. But some of the things we do, our dogs don't love. Building on a long research career and many publications people will never read, Susan will distil the things she's learnt into 10 things we do and how and why they hurt dogs. You will learn more about how dogs think, feel and depend on us to provide safe spaces to feel happy. After all happy dogs equals happy people. | |
Kensington Hotel | 6.30pm | Dr. Evangeline Mantzioris | What to Eat to Live to 100 | What we eat plays a key role in how well—and how long—we live. This session explores the latest research on diet and longevity, highlighting the everyday foods and eating patterns linked to healthy ageing. With a focus on practical, evidence-based advice, you'll learn how nutrition can support quality of life well into later years. |
8.00pm | Dr Amy Hutchison | You are WHEN You Eat |
Timing matters—even when it comes to meals. This engaging talk explores the emerging science of chrono nutrition: how the timing of food intake influences metabolism, health, and disease prevention. With modern lifestyles disrupting our natural body clocks, when we eat may be just as important as what we eat. Drawing on the latest research, Dr. Hutchinson will explore how aligning eating habits with our circadian rhythms can support weight management, improve sleep, and lower the risk of chronic disease. Learn how your internal clock could be the key to smarter, healthier nutrition in today’s busy world. |
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Britannia Hotel | 6.30pm | Zachary Read Munn | Why is 85% of Medical Research Wasted Effort? | Every day we’re bombarded with conflicting health advice, from miracle cures to diet fads. Professor Zachary Munn, an expert in evidence synthesis and guideline development, will take you behind the scenes of medical research. Learn how rigorous methods identify what truly works and why some studies are more reliable, helping us make better health decisions. Join him for a lively, myth-busting look at the power of good evidence in healthcare. |
8.00pm | Elizabeth Williamson | Married at Last Sight - Why opposites attract and then drive us crazy |
After the whirlpool of romance, it's meant to be smooth sailing, but inevitably, couples face rougher waters: work stress, money, raising kids differently. Many become “ships in the night,” distanced by navigating time poor lives and recurring disagreements. Discover why opposites attract and clash, and how healthy conflict deepens love and connection. Research shows two thirds of your relationship issues won’t disappear, so explore why you’ve chosen to be each other’s ‘perfect problems’ - and how to enjoy this! Learn the tips to laugh more, fight right, steer through adversity, and see your partner as your best possible, lifelong puzzle. |
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The Maid Hotel | 6.30pm | Victoria Fielding | Trump, Lies and Power: Flooding the propaganda gray zone | Where it is widely acknowledged that Trump regularly propagates falsity, the motive for Trump’s prolific lying tends to be characterised as “flooding the media zone” to spread confusion and fear. Although confusion and fear are certainly an outcome of Trump’s lying, in this talk, Trump’s constant misrepresentations are characterised as the systematic propagation of misleading propaganda. This propaganda is spread collectively by Trump and his Republican Party and media allies, and Trump’s supporters. The political purpose of this misleading propaganda is tied to a much bigger prize than merely confusion: the Trump movement’s accumulation and maintenance of power. |
8.00pm | Sean Fewster and Daniel Panozzo | Virtual Criminality: An Artificial probe into our lawless digital world | Artificial Intelligence is here, whether we like it or not - but are our laws ready to deal with advances in technology and the ever-evolving digital landscape? How do "deep fake" claims affect the rule of law and investigation of offences, from a politician's drug charges through to animal cruelty cases? And when victimisation is but a mouse click or downloaded app away, how will survivors of crime, their families and offenders awaiting sentence be impacted? |
Contact
Council's Events Unit
T: 08 8366 4555
E: events@npsp.sa.gov.au