Ideal climate for writing

Climate change poses undoubted challenges for science – and society – but what exactly does the phenomenon mean for Australian cultural life? The University of Melbourne’s inaugural Festival of Ideas, June 15–20, investigates the question, with a program featuring scientists, environmentalists, architects, commentators, gallery directors, novelists and poets. The director, Patrick McCaughey, has secured a keynote address from Miles Franklin winner Kate Grenville, as well as panel appearances from Steven Carroll, Don Watson, Barry Jones, and Lisa Gorton and more over the Festival’s five-day duration. All sessions are free. Full details are available at www.ideas.unimelb.edu.au.