Corporate Conversations Series

The Humanities 21 Corporate Conversations Series provides insight into contemporary workplace and business issues through the lenses of history, philosophy, theatre, literature, archaeology, anthropology, fine arts, and other humanities disciplines. Talks are led by leading academics and expert speakers, presenting ideas that encourage management and staff to think through questions for which there are no clear answers.

When senior executives are asked what capabilities they would most like to see their staff develop, the answer is seldom specific knowledge from a conventional training course. More often, they seek cognitive skills – such as the ability to tackle questions they have never seen before, to test hypotheses critically, and to develop solutions based on well-articulated logic and analysis. This kind of critical thinking helps to develop perceptive and creative individuals, who able to think laterally, respond ethically and plan strategically in challenging times. These skills can be applied to many kinds of work and are becoming more valuable as requirements change rapidly.

‘The Humanities 21 speakers are true experts in their fields. Tapping into this expertise on a topic outside the ordinary realms of business is intellectually invigorating. For a firm full of curious people, Humanities 21 talks are like a theme park full of unexpected thrills.’

– Management Consultant, The Boston Consulting Group.

browse the catalogue of topics and speakers by relevant themes below,

or click here for a complete list of speakers and talks.

Navigating Change

leadership

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

BRANDING

Indigenous Culture

ETHICS

Changing geopolitics

mental Health and wellbeing

WORK IN TIME OF CRISIS

reviews from corporate clients

‘As a client-driven firm, it is critical to Corrs that our lawyers have a broad perspective and are well-rounded people. We have worked with Humanities 21 for a number of years and our lawyers value the opportunity to learn about topics and areas that provide them with current or historical context, and extend their views beyond their areas of specialised practice.’

– Partner and CEO, Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

‘PEXA’s lunchtime sessions with Humanities 21 have been critical to helping our employees think and reflect about things other than our day-to-day work. It’s fantastic hearing from academics who are highly eminent in their field; you get to hear from real experts!’

– Chief Executive, Property Exchange Australia.

‘Humanities 21 has provided us with a broad range of speakers for lunchtime talks. We invite staff from all corners of our firm on a purely voluntary basis, and the talks have been very well attended and received at all levels. Our people often ask when the next one will be held. Humanities 21 talks break down barriers, stimulate discussion, encourage broad thinking, and are a welcome change to our usual narrow diet. The speakers are skilled at talking engagingly about their subjects to a diverse group of lay people.’

– Partner, Ashurst Australia.

‘Humanities 21’s professional series engrosses audiences, providing fresh insight into contemporary business issues.’

– Director, Sterling Equity.

‘We always try to encourage our staff to think differently and to bring different experiences that bear on client problems. Humanities 21 talks are a great way to help them do that.’

– Senior Vice President, The Boston Consulting Group.

Talks take place on client premises at a time they choose. Typically, they consist of a forty-minute presentation, followed by twenty minutes of questions and discussion. This format is suitable for up to thirty people, and lectures for larger groups can also be arranged.

Some of the topics are also available as longer workshop sessions, typically 1.5-2 hours.

Additionally, we can also offer live-streaming services for your interstate or off-premises staff.

The Humanities 21 corporate and academic network is far-reaching. We invite you to share your objectives and organisational challenges so that we may propose a topic tailored for your strategic needs, or suggest a customised menu of talks for your organisation, profession or industry.

To book a talk or find out more about the benefits of these programs please contact us @ info@humanities21.com.au