All About Women Satellite 2020

Be part of the eighth annual All About Women Festival on International Women's Day!

Live stream from Sydney Opera House

Session 1 – The Gendered Brain
Speaker: Gina Rippon

For centuries, science has been trying to prove that men’s and women’s brains are different. Cognitive researcher, Gina Rippon, smashes this persistent myth and reveals the politics and prejudice behind it. In her groundbreaking book The Gendered Brain, Professor Gina Rippon dismantles the idea that there are distinct differences in male and female brains. Unpacking the dubious historical science, like 18th century experiments that saw empty skulls measured with bird seed, Rippon shows how early research fuelled the persistent myth that female biology is inferior. She presents cutting edge neuroscience to detail how our brains are highly plastic, individualised, adaptable and full of potential. What if our behaviour is linked not to gender, but to life itself, to all we do and experience?

Session 2 – The Forgotten Women of Astronomy
Speaker: Jo Dunkley

Taking a telescope to the night sky and a critical eye to our past, astrophysicist Jo Dunkley explores the universe while unearthing a line of stellar female astronomers who ran the risk of being consigned to the black hole of history. Since ancient times, the cosmos has been an endless source of wonder and mystery. Astrophysicist Jo Dunkley knows all about stellar life cycles, black holes, cosmic evolution and the huge, unfolding history of the Universe. From the basics – like why the earth orbits the Sun – to astonishing facts about star catalogues and superclusters, this brilliant communicator will take us on a cosmic journey of scientific discovery. Along the way, we will encounter some extraordinary, little-known women who defied the restrictions placed on them because of their gender, and whose pioneering research laid the foundations that Professor Dunkley has built on. Take this luminous guide to our astonishing galaxy, and meet the visionary women who have played a vital role in helping us better understand it.

About our host – Andrea Turner-Boys

All About Women at The Joan will be hosted by Women with Altitude creator and owner, Andrea Turner-Boys. A philanthropist at heart, Andrea runs a variety of programs for women in leadership and business with fundraising and awareness initiatives for her local community in the Blue Mountains and Nepean & Hawkesbury Regions, as well as UN Women Australia. Andrea is also a current board member of the Springwood Neighbourhood centre and runs the Altitude Awards each year to honour local community leaders.