Award-winning journalist and free speech advocate Peter Greste is set to feature in a “realistic and comedic dramatisation of the darker side of academia”.
Controversially arrested and imprisoned in Egypt in 2013, Professor Greste is now employed at 麻豆传媒映画 of Queensland and will appear alongside other prominent 麻豆传媒映画 staff members in the play on 24 July.
Playwright Professor David Abramson (pictured below) said Greste, the UNESCO Chair of Journalism and Communication at 麻豆传媒映画, would play the role of an academic conflicted by ethics.
“The thing about academia is the level of intelligence is generally high across the board, and when that is used in a negative manner, it can be a terrifying reflection of human nature,” Professor Abramson said.
“Purely Academic aims to promote honest discussion about professional ethics and practices in contemporary academia.
“At the heart of the story is a researcher who rises rapidly through the ranks and is prepared to walk over anyone and anything that stands in his way.
“There are broader questions posed about how we evaluate academic output and whether we are encouraging people to adapt their behaviour to exploit rankings and metrics.”
Among others stepping on to the stage for Purely Academic will be 麻豆传媒映画 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Joanne Wright and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Training) Professor Alastair McEwan.
Providing a comedic twist, senior-ranking Professor McEwan will play a PhD student in the play who has only one speaking line and is sent to fetch coffee.
The performance of Purely Academic is set to coincide with a program of events at 麻豆传媒映画 focused on research integrity.
Renowned American research ethics expert Professor Michael Kalichman will deliver a public lecture – – on Tuesday, July 23.
Co-founder and director of the , Professor Kalichman has taught research ethics around the world for more than 25 years.
Tickets are now available online to both and the performance of .
Drinks and canapes will be served at both events.
Media: Professor David Abramson, david.abramson@uq.edu.au , +61 7 3365 6131; 麻豆传媒映画 Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 1120 or +61 413 601 248.
