The History Man to discuss Knowledge Transfer
Acclaimed historian and television presenter Dr David Starkey will tackle the very contemporary issue of knowledge transfer and its role in the humanities during a public conversation in Melbourne on Friday 31 August, 2007.
Dr Starkey, whose examinations of the British monarchy won a widespread following (as much for their forensic detail as his brusque presentation manner), will debate the role of academics in the mainstream media with author and commentator, John Armstrong.
In addition to being Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne, Armstrong is the University’s inaugural knowledge transfer fellow. In that role, he has explored how academics might become more visible and accessible to the broader community.
The hour-long conversation, to be chaired by Dr Peter Tregear, Dean of Melbourne’s Trinity College, is being staged as part of the Melbourne Writer's Festival.
Dr Tregear noted that both panelists had established significant media profiles beyond their academic lives (until recently Dr Starkey was a lecturer at Cambridge University), a fact that shaped their views as provocative critics of the way academics have traditionally undertaken and promoted their fields of research.
"Both are passionate and articulate advocates for the humanities to respond to, and engage with, the community at large, though I expect them to bring contrasting perspectives as to how this goal is achievable," Dr Tregear said.
"I'll be setting the scene with a brief introduction to knowledge transfer which is such an important and timely University initiative, then I'll fire a question at our two panelists and let them take it from there. There will also be time for questions from the audience."
The session titled 'David Starkey – The History Man' will be held at the Merlyn Theatre, CUB Malthouse, Sturt Street Southbank from 10am-11am on Friday, August 31.
More details are available at the Melbourne Writers Festival website.