ACT Events
Big data and political marketing: Busting myths and debating the democratic implications
Date Wed, 06 Nov 2019Time 18:00 – 19:00Location AIIA (ACT Branch)The role of big data in Donald Trump's election in 2016 and the UK Brexit Referendum has led to documentaries, movies and government inquiries as society becomes more aware of its potential impact. This presentation will bust some myths, making it clear that this new marketing tool isn't just used by right-wing politicians, and it's not just about data privacy. The real issues are how it is used strategically to influence opinion and behaviour, and that it is hidden from view, making it harder to check, constrain and rebut. Will big data create havoc in future elections around the world? Or can greater awareness and regulation prevent big data from harming democracy, and even help it survive?
Dr Jennifer Lees-Marshment is an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy. Author/Editor of 15 books, Jennifer is a world expert in political marketing with additional research interests in public input, leadership and political management. She is editor of the book series Palgrave Studies in...
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Australia, Menzies and Suez: Australian Policy-Making on the Middle East Before, During and After the Suez Crisis
Date Tue, 19 Nov 2019Time 18:00 – 19:00Location AIIA (ACT Branch)Former Australian ambassador to Egypt, Bob Bowker, will discuss his new book on Australian policy regarding the Suez Crisis in 1956 and in particular the role played by the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, in regard to those events.
The growing relationship with the United States of America, ANZUS, responses to the Korean conflict and the insurgency in Malaya, the creation of the Colombo Plan and joining SEATO all indicated the directions in which Australian foreign policy priorities were shifting during the 1950s. However, despite the changes that were taking place in Australia's thinking...
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Brazil after a year of Bolsonaro: the good, the bad and the ugly
Date Wed, 27 Nov 2019Time 18:00 – 19:00Location AIIA (ACT Branch)Last October, Brazilians voted and chose their new president. The winner, Jair Bolsonaro, took office on 1 January 2019. Since then, his presidency has generated very high levels of controversy and polarisation - even by the country's own standards.
The goal of this presentation will be to provide a big picture analysis of his presidency so far - the good, the bad and the ugly - highlighting arguments made by both his supporters and critics. It will cover issues which pertain not only to Brazil but can also be linked to a series of...
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