The Keith Roby Memorial Lecture in Community Science is an annual, free public science lecture made possible by the generous support of donors.
The Keith Roby Memorial Lecture was established in memory of Murdoch University foundation member Dr Keith Roby. Dr Roby believed science could make a major contribution towards resolving contemporary issues such as the dilemmas surrounding the environment, energy, resources and genetic engineering.
Each year a distinguished speaker is invited to deliver a lecture that builds on Dr Roby's pioneering life's work, of directing science and technology towards satisfying the fundamental needs of humankind.
The 2026 lecture will be presented by: Dr Patsy Hallen an esteemed place in environmental and ecofeminist philosophy, due to her foundational scholarly contributions, her unique and widely influential work as an earth-centered teacher and mentor, and her decades of experience walking, camping, and sailing the stunning environs of Western Australia.
The title of Patsy's lecture, “Careful of Science”, was chosen for its ambiguity, reflecting in a small way the profound ambiguity of life.
The topic is a dialectical play on the word ‘careful’, embracing three meanings:
(1) be careful of science or ‘beware’ of science because its capabilities can be life threatening;
(2) take care of or ‘cherish’ science because it is so precious, one of the most important ways of understanding humans possess;
(3) be full of care or do science with care and hence ‘transform’ science into a life-affirming pursuit by caring labour.
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Help support the Keith Roby Memorial Lecture Series by making a donation to Murdoch University. Donations are tax-deductible and will help us continue to hold the event annually in Dr Roby's memory.
Previous lectures
Dr Ledger is an author and research scholar of faith, science, and technology. She explores the themes of the lecture through the question "How are human communities to express their creativity, effectively and compassionately, in a world in crisis?
View recording and transcript of the lecture
Presented by physicist and climate scientist, Dr Bill Hare, the lecture examines The Paris Agreement’s central aim to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change, looking at the opportunities for Australia and Western Australia, to take advantage of the coming transformation of the global energy system.
Presented by animal ecologist and conservation biologist, Dr Denis Saunders AM, the lecture examines the degradation of Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region and discuss whose role it should be to protect the native biota the Wheatbelt has remaining.
Sustainability thought leader and academic, Professor Peter Newman recalls key moments from a life dedicated to sustainability, taking time to acknowledge the places, events and people who influenced him along the way, such as Sir Walter Murdoch, Keith Roby, Des O’Connor and Brian Hill.
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