This special event explores how we imagine the future, how technology shapes our lives, and how the choices we make today influence the world we build tomorrow.
Festival guest, author and critic Richard King will take audiences on a guided tour of the Museum of the Future, a concept explored in his essay for Griffith Review. He will then be joined by Laura Chambers, Board Director and former CEO of Mozilla Corporation, and Rose Hiscock, Director of Museums and Collections at the University of Melbourne and former CEO of Powerhouse Museum, for a panel discussion.
Together, they will explore the future of technology, its impact on society, and what it reveals about the world we live in today. Bringing together international leaders in their field, this discussion offers a unique opportunity to consider the challenges and possibilities ahead.
Richard has written extensively on the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies and their impact on society. He is the author of Brave New Wilds: Can Technology Really Save the Planet? and Here Be Monsters: Is Technology Reducing Our Humanity?
Author and Critic
Richard King is a contributing editor to Arena Quarterly and the author of three books. The late Clive James, an admirer of King’s writing, wrote the following on his personal website: "In any English-speaking newspaper, of whatever altitude, news and culture tend to be separated by a rabbit-proof fence, but Richard King has been given a free hand to make news out of culture, and without trivialising the second thing in favour of the first."
Director of Museums and Collections, the University of Melbourne
Rose Hiscock has held national leadership roles within collecting and cultural institutions, and her career demonstrates a strong focus on cultural engagement. She was previously CEO of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse Museum), Executive Director, Arts Development at the Australia Council and held roles at Museums Victoria. Rose is Chair of Science Gallery International and was responsible for the development of Science Gallery Melbourne.
Board Director and Former CEO of Mozilla Corporation
Laura Chambers is a Board Director and recent CEO of Mozilla Corporation. She has been at the forefront of Mozilla's navigation of the AI era, investing in their key product (Firefox) while balancing the organisation's commitment to an open, private, and user-controlled web with the practical demands of integrating AI. Laura spent 25 years in Silicon Valley, including senior roles at Airbnb, PayPal, Skype and eBay, leading market and product innovation during periods of rapid change.
Researcher, Writer and Presenter
Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal is a researcher, writer and presenter communicating at the interface of science, the environment, and society. He graduated from the University of Cambridge with a PhD in physics as a Gates Scholar in 2012, has appeared on Play School and Catalyst and his awards include the 2021 Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science and the 2022 Royal Societies of Australia and New Zealand Piasecki Prize for Outstanding Writing on Social Change. He's currently an ANU Visiting Fellow and long-running host of the award-winning ABC’s kids’ podcast Imagine This.
