The annual Samuel Alexander Lecture is delivered by leading figures to advance public understanding and debate about significant issues of contemporary interest.
This seminal event is named in honour of one of Australia’s greatest scholars and one of Wesley’s most significant alumni. In keeping with his legacy, the lecture recognises the importance of ideas and community debate to enrich the intellectual and cultural life of Australia.
Recent Samuel Alexander Lectures have been delivered by:
- Professor A.C. Grayling CBE – 2019
- Professor Alan Finkel AO – 2018
- Honourable Kim Beazley AC – 2017
- Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs – 2016
- Professor Germaine Greer – 2015
- Honourable Malcolm Fraser AC CH – 2014
- Honourable Dr Barry Jones AO – 2013
- Edmund Capon AM OBE – 2012
- Louise Adler AM – 2011
- Barry Humphries AO CBE – 2010
- Carillo Gantner AO – 2009
- Waleed Aly (OW1996) – 2008
- Honourable Peter Garrett AM – 2007
- Patrick Dodson – 2006
- Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG – 2005
- Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen KG, AK, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, PC, QC – 2004
Samuel Alexander was a student at Wesley College in the early 1870s. After studying at the University of Melbourne and then Oxford University, he was appointed Professor of Philosophy at Manchester University. He subsequently became one of the most significant philosophers of the early 20th century.
Image: Dr Alan Finkel AO presenting the 2018 Samuel Alexander Lecture 'Prospering in the artificial intelligence world'.
