The Future of the Dark @UNSW House | Sat 7 Nov

It is ingrained for us to fear the dark, the unknown. Seen as a mysterious entity, there is a need to lift the veil of the unfamiliar. From matter to terrain, oceans to skies, these conversations will bring to light new discoveries that will pave the way for better futures.

The Future of the Dark @UNSW House | Saturday, 7 November sessions*

*To attend events during the Powerhouse Parramatta opening weekend on 7–8 November, please book a free general admission ticket. Select this event’s date and session time or select an earlier arrival time.

Dark Matter

1–1.40pm | Saturday, 7 November

Dark matter accounts for the vast majority of mass in our universe, and yet we know so little about it. Dr Jan Hamann, in conversation with Jonathan Webb, will reveal the hidden nature of dark matter and its impact on our galaxy.

Dark Oceans

2–2.40pm I Saturday, 7 November

Beneath the waves, new insights into warming oceans and changing deep-sea conditions are guiding efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems and help species adapt. Associate Professor Mariana Mayer Pinto, in conversation with Jonathan Webb, discusses how these discoveries are shaping a new future for life on land and at sea.

Dark Minds

3–3.40pm I Saturday, 7 November

Australia is at the forefront of an evolution in mental health treatment, leading in the clinical use of psychedelic-assisted therapies, including psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MOMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Leading researcher Dr Adam Bayes, in conversation with Jonathan Webb, shares the latest insights from this rapidly evolving field and what they could mean for the future of mental healthcare.

Out Of The Dark

4–4.40pm I Saturday, 7 November

Renewable energy technologies are increasingly powering our future, from solar and wind to hydrogen, clean fuels and smart grids. Dani Alexander, in conversation with Jonathan Webb, discusses a new way of harnessing energy – and with it, hope for a better way to live on this planet.

Speakers

Jonathan Webb is a science journalist, broadcaster and neuroscientist. After completing a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Oxford, he spent a decade as a science correspondent with BBC News before leading the science unit at ABC Radio National. He is widely respected for making complex scientific ideas accessible to broad audiences.

Dr Jan Hamann is a theoretical physicist and cosmologist at UNSW. His research uses astrophysical observations and advanced data analysis to investigate the history, composition and origins of the universe. He explores fundamental questions about dark matter, cosmic inflation and the evolution of the cosmos, helping to deepen our understanding of how the universe began and how it continues to change.

Associate Professor Mariana Mayer Pinto is a leading marine ecologist at UNSW, where she heads up the Sustainable Ecosystem and Coastal Solutions (SEACS) Lab and co-leads the award-winning Living Seawalls project. Her research focuses on eco-engineering and marine conservation, developing innovative solutions to restore biodiversity along urbanised coastlines and mitigate human impacts on marine ecosystems, including emerging challenges such as marine light pollution.

Dr Adam Bayes is a psychiatrist and researcher at the Black Dog Institute. His work explores the potential of emerging therapies, including psilocybin-assisted treatment, to provide new hope for people living with treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders.

Dani Alexander is CEO of the UNSW Energy Institute and Interim CEO of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub. With a multidisciplinary background in science and business, Alexander specialises in bridging the gap between emerging technologies and real-world energy markets. Her expertise spans renewable energy, clean fuels, energy storage, grid integration and consumer-focused energy innovation, with a particular interest in advancing the technologies needed for a net zero future.