Brave Conversations: An Interactive Evening Workshop In partnership with Allegra Spender MP
How do we talk to each other about the things that matter most — when those conversations feel hardest to have?
Join us for an evening with the Brave Conversations Project, visiting Sydney from Melbourne, in partnership with Allegra Spender MP. This interactive workshop will explore the science and practice of constructive disagreement and give you practical tools to take to your workplaces, dinner tables and gatherings.
Whether it's conflict overseas, or growing political divisions closer to home, many of us are holding back or struggling to engage with others.
The Brave Conversations Project, based at Monash University, was founded on a simple but urgent belief: that we can, and must, have better conversations about the hardest issues of our time.
Drawing on cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience, and education, the evening will cover the theory behind difficult conversations — why we avoid them, what happens in our bodies and minds when we do, and what it actually takes to stay in the room. Then, led by Dr Farid Zaid and Dr Daniel Heller, the group will practise these skills together in a hands-on, facilitated workshop.
This is not about finding agreement. It's about building the capacity to disagree well.
About the facilitators
Dr Farid Zaid is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University's Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, where he co-directs the Brave Conversations Project. His research draws on psychology and neuroscience to understand how people navigate discomfort, uncertainty and conflict in high-stakes environments.
Dr Daniel Heller is the Kronhill Senior Lecturer in East European Jewish History at Monash University's Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, where he co-directs the Brave Conversations Project. He brings a deep understanding of how historical and cultural divisions shape the conversations we find hardest to have today.
Together, Farid and Daniel have trained over 300 senior academics and are expanding their work into schools and communities across Australia.
This event is free and open to the community. Places are limited — please RSVP to receive the venue information.
If you'd like to bring a +1, you'll need to RSVP them separately as well to ensure they have a spot.