The Jeff Bleich Centre continues its meaningful work, from hosting Malcolm Turnbull’s inaugural Distinguished Lecture and leading the Australian Space Cyber Forum, to showcasing student innovation, shaping global policy discussions, and welcoming Fulbright Chair Professor Aaron Fellmeth with vital insights on democratic resilience.
JBC Distinguished Lecture with The Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC
The Jeff Bleich Centre was honoured to host The Hon Malcolm Turnbull AC, 29th Prime Minister of Australia, to deliver the inaugural Jeff Bleich Centre Distinguished Lecture.
In his compelling address, “Surviving the New World Disorder,” Mr Turnbull explored the shifting dynamics of global affairs and Australia’s evolving role in the rapidly changing international landscape. He touched on key issues including the importance of Australia’s sovereignty, and recalled his own experiences of navigating and strengthening the country’s strategic alliances, offering his view of a path forward for Australia.
Following the lecture, Mr Turnbull joined former U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich, Professor Rodrigo Praino and Senior Lecturer in International Relations Dr Maryanne Kelton in an expert panel. Ms Daniela Ritorto, former political correspondent at SBS, facilitated the thought-provoking panel discussion on the latest developments in world affairs.
We thank everyone who attended the Distinguished Lecture and our stellar expert speakers for sharing their insights.
3rd Australian Space Cyber Forum in Adelaide
The JBC once again co-hosted the Australian Space Cyber Forum with CyberOps and Agora High-Tech! The event, which now reached its third iteration, took place at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 23 and 24 June and included a workshop, a business dinner, a symposium and an exhibition.
The Australian Space Cyber Forum is the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and attracts hundreds of national and international guests and participants. This year the event was opened by an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, including The Hon Stephen Mulligan, SA Treasurer and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, Lieutenant General Michelle McGuiness, National Cyber Security Coordinator, and Ambassador Jeff Bleich, former US Ambassador to Australia and Chairman of the Jeff Bleich Centre.
Innovations Incubator Presentation 2025
JBC Teaching Lead Dr Leoni Connah convened the JBC Innovations Incubator Conference, where our interns had an opportunity to showcase their ongoing research within the Centre. The Innovations Incubator is the JBC’s internal internship program, which allows students to gain research training by working alongside JBC researchers on active projects. This program is available to Flinders University undegraduate and postgraduate students throughout the year.
Fearless Roundtable
Professor Rodrigo Praino was invited to present at the inaugural Fearless Roundtable event, co-organised by Flinders University and the Committee for Adelaide. The topic of this Chatham House rules discussion was the current global Geopolitical situation, with particular focus on the role that the United States and the Trump Presidency are playing when it comes to generate instability within the established rules-based world order.
Defence Leaders Breakfast
Professor Rodrigo Praino was invited to participate in the Defence Leaders Breakfast, organised by Defence Teaming Centre. Professor Praino was joined on stage by James Palmer from Silentium Defence for a conversation moderated by Libby Day. Molly Donohue Magee (SENEDIA and UTIC) and Abraham Denmark (The Asia Group) contributed to the discussion live from the USA.
2025 Fulbright Don DeBats Distingushed Chair
We were pleased to welcome Professor Aaron Fellmeth as the Fulbright Distingushed Chair in Applied Public Policy (Democratic Resilience).
On May 25th, Professor Fellmeth delivered his Distinguished Fulbright Lecture titled “What does International Human Rights Law require states to do about private gun violence?” It was a fascinating talk with insights into countries experiencing considerable gun violence and the obstacles they face as they tackle the issue.