It’s where education and inspiration meet a midweek drink, and the City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters is the only place in the world in 2020 that can host it live.

The award-winning Raising the Bar series is making a grand return to pubs around Norwood on Tuesday 20 October – while also providing live streams on various social media platforms.

Ten of the best local bars and pubs in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters will host top academics, industry experts and thought leaders for the free, one-of-a-kind events.

“Following the overwhelming success of previous years, the Council is absolutely delighted to be bringing this global initiative back to our City for another night of inspiring talks with a range of experts,” says Mayor Robert Bria.

Raising the Bar is a global event series originating in New York and aims to make education a part of popular culture in cities across the world, with Adelaide joining Hong Kong, London, Auckland, San Francisco and other Australian capitals.

This year’s event will include topics from gut health, body movement and mental wellbeing, to judicial systems and rebuilding tourism in a post-COVID market.

This year’s series hopes to delve deeper into the information consumed in everyday life by combining expert knowledge with a discussion-friendly environment.

Speakers include this year’s Australian of the Year Dr James Muecke AM, who will speak on resilience, and Olympic marathon runner Jessica Stenson on preventing injury through movement.

Murder, Violence and Psychopathy in South Australia by forensic psychologist Luke Broomhall will certainly captivate the crowd at the Alma Tavern.

While it sounds grim, Luke says not to be deterred and that he’s talking about forensic personality profiling with reference to South Australia’s most interesting cases.

Still on crime, Frances Nelson QC, will share some perspectives and some interesting stories from her years on the Parole Board during her talk To parole or not to parole.

For something lighter after a long workday, check out DJing through the decades by Jason Lee at The Colonist.

Jason will be your guide on a tour of the tracks, the challenges of a ‘hobby income’ and how he keeps the people dancing.

At Cue Bar, mental health researcher Matthew Iasiello will be sharing a new approach to mental health and wellbeing during his talk Why a focus on mental wellbeing makes all the difference.

“When we talk about mental health and wellbeing we’re really thinking about mental illness, so I want listeners to come away with the idea that there are positive sides to our mental health,” Matthew says.

“There’s been a big drop in wellbeing in 2020, so this event is so important for people to recognise the simple things that can maintain and build our own wellbeing but also help us to support each other.”

Dr Hannah Wardill will also tackle health in her talk Chemotherapy with a side of poo thanks! She explores how our microbes contribute to how people respond to cancer therapy, both in terms of how well their treatment kills cancer cells and how they determine the severity of side effects.

Dr Hannah Wardill

While Raising the Bar Adelaide talks are free to attend, bookings are essential and tickets are going quick.

Full line-up:

When food plays mind games, Evangeline Mantzioris (Sold Out)

Your right to know, Rick Sarre

To parole or not to parole, Frances Nelson

Why a focus on mental wellbeing makes all the difference, Matthew Iasiello

Tourism and the next normal: can we ‘Build Back Better’? Marianna Sigala

Murder, Violence and Psychopathy in South Australia, Luke Broomhall

Djing through the decades, Jason Lee

Building resilience – a personal and global journey, James Muecke

Movement is medicine – why wait til we’re broken, Matt Heavyside & Jessica Stenson

Chemotherapy with a side of poo thanks!, Hannah Wardill