The UniSA Mount Gambier Campus proudly partnered with MOD recently to hold ‘A Night of Comedy and Curiosity’ in conjuction with the Fringe.
Host comedian Jason Chong and guest scientists UniSA Associate Professor James Hopeward and senior research fellows Dr Keri Hopeward and Dr Farzana Kastury tackled the question ‘how do we share this land?’
The panellists discussed MOD game Eucalara Commons in which players have to make decisions relating to the Eucalara National Park located South East of Adelaide.
The Eucalara National Park land was once farmlands but is now being restored to its original native ecosystem which involves a lot of hard work and tough decision making.
UniSA Mount Gambier Campus regional manager Ian McKay said the evening was very successful, with around 80 people attending who enjoyed a pre-event drink and a light supper after the event where much conversation occurred.
“It was wonderful to have a UniSA Fringe event back in Mount Gambier for the second year,” he said.
“A Night of Comedy and Curiosity was extremely well received by those who attended and as one of the attendees said ‘entertaining, informative and thought provoking’.”
Dr Hopeward said there were a wide range of environmental, sustainable and economic topics discussed including ways in which the problems could be addressed.
“The audience was super engaged and switched on which provided for some great discussion both during and after the event and we certainly hope the event inspired attendees to follow-up on some issues close to their hearts and take action to make a difference in the world,” she said.
Dr Kastury said the UniSA Mount Gambier Campus Fringe event gave her a unique opportunity to engage in science communication with audiences largely not associated with UniSA.
“This entertaining and thought provoking event is a perfect example of starting a conversation within the wider community and contributing to knowledge translation of the very important work that is being carried out within UniSA,” she said.
“With an overall rating of 5.27 out of six from the audiences, over 91% of the attendees said they would recommend this event to a friend and 100% would come back to an event run by MOD.
“Both during and after the event, the audience engaged with the presenters with diverse and topical questions that dived deep into problems and potential solutions of how to share limited resources, while promoting equality among the community.
“Audiences were keen to know more about how environmental pollution can be addressed and what role citizen scientists can play in solving many of the problems that are plaguing our society at the moment, from living healthier for longer, protecting biodiversity to tackling housing and overpopulation.”
