The Commission for the Human Future is proud to host a public discussion with the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP on his latest book, 'What's the Worst That Could Happen?: Existential Risk and Extreme Politics'. He will be joined by Dr Luke Kemp to discuss the greatest challenges facing humanity and the role of politics in responding to them.
About the speakers:
Andrew Leigh is the Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury and Charities, and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard, having graduated from the University of Sydney with first class honours in Arts and Law. Andrew is a past recipient of the Economic Society of Australia's Young Economist Award and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences. His most recent book, What's the Worst That Could Happen? Existential Risk and Extreme Politics, was released in November 2021. Andrew is a keen triathlete and marathon runner, and hosts a podcast called The Good Life: Andrew Leigh in Conversation, about living a happier, healthier and more ethical life.
Dr Luke Kemp is a researcher at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge, and a former lecturer at our own Australian National University. His current research looks at both the past (civilization collapses) and the future (climate change and emerging technologies) to guide policy in the present.
