International House News
Walter Westman Lecture
International House hosts public Lecture on Human Nature and Natural Limits
International House will start Walter Westman Lecture series on Science, Humanity and Environment (Thursday 11 September).
The Lecture series honours the name of Walter E. Westman, a 1967 alumnus of International House and winner of the International House Alumni Award for Achievement, who undertook significant research and writing in the field of science, humanity and environment.
The Inaugural Walter Westman Lecture will be given by Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds. Dr Hatfield-Dodds is a member of the senior executive team in the Australian Government Department Climate Change and the President of the Australia and New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics (ANZSEE).
His previous career includes research and policy positions in the CSIRO, The Allen Consulting Group, Commonwealth Treasury, Department of Environment and Heritage, and the Australian National University.
Trained in economics and philosophy, Dr Hatfield-Dodds is recognised as one of Australia’s leading environmental economists and policy analysts. His interests and expertise focus on integrated approaches to human motivation, behaviour, and social values; and the practical implications of these for public policy and adaptive governance.
Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds has published widely on social and economic dimensions of climate change, natural resource management and environmental policy. His research and public policy contributions have been recognised by his participation in the Australia 2020 Summit (April 2008) and inclusion in The Bulletin magazine’s inaugural ‘Smart 100’ list of leading Australian innovators (October 2003).
About the Lecture:
Human Nature and Natural Limits – can they be reconciled?
Lecturer: Dr Steve Hatfield-Dodds
Thursday 11 September, 2008
7.30pm - 9.00 pm
International House, The University of Sydney
96 City Road, Chippendale (next to the Seymour Centre)
www.usyd.edu.au/internationalhouse
To attend the Lecture, please contact International House:
Telephone: +61 2 9950 9800
E-mail: ihoffice@usyd.edu.au
Stargazing
23rd August 2008
Each year International House in collaboration with the Sydney University International House Alumni Association arranges a Stargazing Event.
The IH Log Cabin is located in the Belanglo State Forrest and provides a quiet retreat for those wanting to enjoy the outdoors.
The Macarthur Astronomical Society provides knowledge and telescopes to enable residents and alumni the opportunity to view the stars.
Review of the Stargazing Event
When everyone first look out side their windows on cold, mist Saturday morning, most thought that our chances of seeing any stars was slim. Fortunately, by the time we had arrived at the log cabin, had a nice stroll around the log cabin's land and a trip to see the 'beautiful lake', the cloud cover had gone and the telescopes were setup. Before it was too dark, everyone dug into a big BBQ which was expertly prepared by Charlene (The Director) with the enthusiastic help of Jonathan (The IHMA President) showing off his recently acquired domestic skills. Once the BBQ was done with, the beanies, gloves and coats came out in preparation for the main event. The boffins from the astronomy group seem to have every technological gizzmo including amazing green lasers which they used to point out and explain what we were actually looking at. While some tried to find their star sign, others discussed the extremely complex heating systems that the immense telescopes had to stop them frosting up in the cold, modern technology these days! When everyone had circulated around all the various astronomers and tried to cook a marshmallow on the fire without burning them selves, we had a final photo for nostalgic purposes and piled onto the bus to end a great day out.
Tom Mallet
27 August 2008