Concept Club

Concept Club was established by Benedict Moleta in 2024, as a PhD research seminar in the Department of International Relations, ANU.

Since then the club has become a forum for discussion and exploration, with speakers from across disciplines and schools at the ANU, plus special guests.

At each meeting, several ten-minute talks are given on any concept in international affairs – from public goods to political Islam, from regionalism to resource-curse, from neutralism to the state, and from exile to luck. Presentations are followed by Q and A.

The aim of these gatherings is to expand our understanding of concepts in international affairs across disciplinary and institutional borders, and to examine how ideas shape realities at all scales of political, economic and social interaction.

The focus is on experimentation and conversation - as Coral Bell once wrote "No attempt at definition has been intended, only a contribution to argument."

In person attendance is limited to PhD students and invited guests (registration not required). Online attendance is open to all; you are cordially invited to register and join us.

Speakers and concepts:

Raghda Emam (presenting by video from Egypt) Dr Emam is a Lecturer in English Literature at Mansoura University, Egypt.

Her current research interests include climate fiction, environmental humanities, and ecocriticism.

Raghda holds a PhD in English Literature, was an Erasmus+ exchange student at the University of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, and has delivered lectures on cultural diversity and intercultural communication, engaging with audiences from diverse international backgrounds.

Raghda will speak on the concept of EcoSufism.

Ruiqi Chen

Ruiqi is a PhD student in the Coral Bell School's Department of International Relations at The Australian National University.  

Her research focuses on visual disinformation in contemporary cognitive warfare. Her interests lie at the intersection of technology, war, and disinformation, with particular attention to how emerging technologies are reshaping contemporary conflict. 

Ruiqi will speak on the concept of Disinformation.

Mutiara Indriani

Mutiara is an Australia Awards PhD Scholar at the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), The Australian National University. Her research examines the political economy of COVID-19 vaccine access and health equity in Southeast Asia. Previously, she worked at the ASEAN Secretariat and across regional policy initiatives. She holds degrees from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Leiden University, and Uppsala University.

Mutiara will speak on the concept of Preparedness.

Additional information:
Registration is required for this event. If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email bell.marketing@anu.edu.au. Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.