Plant molecular biologist Dr Alex Johnson explains how genetic engineering of rice grain could help to stave off malnutrition in the developing world. Presented by Dr Shane Huntington.
Political economist Assoc Prof Christopher Balding examines the rapid rise of sovereign wealth funds in global finance, and focuses on issues of transparency and governance. He also discusses the impact that such large sums of money have on domestic and international politics. Presented by Eric van Bemmel.
Sociologist Professor Riaz Hassan discusses the social and political environment that motivates some people to become suicide bombers. Riaz also explores whether there is a relationship between Islamism and terrorism. Presented by Jacky Angus.
China historian Prof Richard Rigby and political scientist Dr Pradeep Taneja discuss how a newly powerful China fares in promoting and protecting its interests in its dealings with the rest of the world. Presented by Eric van Bemmel.
Criminologist and lawyer Dr Jennifer Balint discusses how nation-states seek to use the law in support of genocidal practices and other crimes against humanity. She also examines how, conversely, the law is also called upon to bring about reconciliation after regime change. With host Jennifer Cook.
Dr Sidh Sintusingha discusses the phenomenon of urban sprawl and approaches to enabling sustainability in increasingly crowded Southeast Asian urban corridors. With host Jennifer Cook.
Dr Toby Carroll discusses the evolution of development programs by institutions such as the World Bank and its subsidiary the International Finance Corporation, and scrutinizes the outcomes of recent strategies involving public-private partnerships and explicitly pro-market approaches. With host Elizabeth Lopez.
Associate Professor Peter Verhezen explains how cultural understandings of gift giving practices differs across regions, and that Western companies and people doing business in Asian countries need to be aware of the grey area that lies between the offering of gifts and the offering of bribes.
Social scientist Prof. Pookong Kee looks at the successive waves of migration from China and how Chinese identity has evolved among ethnic Chinese in their adopted homelands. With host Jennfier Cook.
Historian Dr Kate McGregor revisits Indonesia's 30 September Movement, which resulted in the killings and persecution of 100,000s of Indonesians in the mid-1960s. Only in recent times have newly guaranteed freedoms of expression allowed survivors to openly recall their experiences of this defining moment in the country's not-too-distant past. With host Jennifer Cook.
