- Eric van Bemmel
Up Close podcast producer
The state of the science in an age of cannabis liberalisation
University of Melbourne Psychiatrist Prof David Castle discusses how cannabis represents both a public health risk and a wide-ranging therapeutic opportunity.
What are the keys to a successful urban innovation district?
Urban thinker Julie Wagner on how city innovation districts grow, and how their reliance on the physical and the local serves to foster creative industries.
Why feeling pain is key to our happiness
University of Melbourne psychologist Dr Brock Bastian on the value of experiencing pain and accepting unpleasantness in our pursuit of pleasure and happiness.
Why isn’t treatment for depression leading to lower prevalence?
Professor Tony Jorm asks why prevalence of anxiety and depression in North America, Australia and elsewhere hasn't decreased despite increased treatment.
Emerging insights into the way we choose
Professor Peter Bossaerts argues that investigating brain activity as we make decisions is generating new insights into how we deal with uncertainty and risk.
The end of sustainability
Environmental law expert Robin Craig argues that notions of sustainability in managing our natural resources need to make way for resilience-based approaches.
Costing us dearly: The toll of austerity policy on public health
Sociologist David Stuckler argues that austerity policies imposed by national governments in response to economic crises serve to worsen public health.