In 2024 I was the Program Director of History Now: a collaboration between the History Council of NSW and the Australian Centre for Public History, with venue support from the State Library of NSW.
History Now seminars explore current and compelling issues affecting the practice of contemporary history. It is a long-running series of public talks and discussions, bringing new perspectives to all aspects of historical practice.
In 2024History Now was a collaboration between the History Council of NSW (HCNSW), the State Library of NSW and the Australian Centre for Public History (ACPH) at UTS.
History Now is short and sweet. The tone is conversational and the format is two speakers, each talking for 15-20 minutes, followed by a Q&A facilitated by a chairperson. History Now is usually an in-person event unless otherwise stated.
Where?
State Library of NSW, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney CBD.
When?
Once a month, from March to November 2024. 5–6:30pm. See program for dates.
Event registration
History Now is a free event series open to the public.
Recordings
If you can’t make it to the in-person sessions, no worries — the sessions will be audio recorded, and shared online: on the History Council’s website.
2024 History Now Program
Wednesday 6 March 2024, 5pm – 6:30pm
New Earth Histories
Alison Bashford and Jarrod Hore, Chair: Frances Flanagan
Alison Bashford and Jarrod Hore reflect on New Earth Histories and how the history of geosciences and different world cosmologies can be brought together. Recording here
Wednesday 3 April 2024, 5pm – 6:30pm
Histories of Capitalism
Hannah Forsyth and Sophie Loy-Wilson, Chair: Mike Beggs
Hannah Forsyth and Sophie Loy-Wilson discuss the ways that historicising capitalism is changing the way we approach history in Australia. Recording here
Wednesday 1 May 2024, 5pm – 6:30pm
Aboriginal Political Histories
Heidi Norman, John Maynard and Lynda-June Coe
Heidi Norman, John Maynard and Lynda-June Coe reflect on Aboriginal political histories – both in terms of activism and advocacy, as well as involvement with formal legislative change and politics.
Wednesday 5 June 2024, 5pm – 6:30pm
Histories of Mental Health
Catharine Coleborne and James Dunk, Chair: Effie Karageorgos
Catharine Coleborne and James Dunk discuss the depth of historical writing about mental illness in Australia and reflect on its resonance in the present moment; how can we write the history of mental health now?
This event is held in partnership with the University of Newcastle’s Future of Madness Network
Wednesday 31 July 2024, 9pm AEST, Online Only
Truth-telling and Histories of Genocide Now
Lorena Allam, Dirk Moses and Ümit Kurt, Chair: Nancy Cushing
Lorena Allam, Dirk Moses and Ümit Kurt reflect on what can be learned from histories of genocide, and locate their discussion between journalism, history and processes of truth-telling.
A History Now online-only special event, in partnership with the Centre for the Study of Violence, University of Newcastle
*Online session, on Zoom, 9pm 31 July 2024 AEST.
Wednesday 7 August, 5pm – 6:30pm
Transnational Design Histories
Livia Lazzaro Rezende and Isabel Rousset, Chair: Jesse Adams Stein
Livia Rezende and Isabel Rousset explore the ways in which international exchange and transcultural connections inform design and visual histories.
Wednesday 16 October, 5pm – 6:30pm, Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW.
More than Human Histories
Emily O’Gorman and Taylor Coyne, Chair: Warwick Anderson
Taylor Coyne and Emily O’Gorman discuss the ways the more-than-human world has shaped histories
Wednesday 6 November, 5pm – 6:30pm, Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW.
The Ethics of Crime Histories
Meg Foster and Rachel Franks, Chair: Nerida Campbell
Meg Foster and Rachel Franks discuss the ethics of writing crime histories that are geared towards a public readership.
Jesse Adams Stein 