It's an adults-only hour of high vaudeville to make you laugh and think. Two teams of brainiacs go head-to-head at the annual Big Ideas and Beaker St Festival Great Debate hosted by Big Ideas’ presenter Natasha Mitchell. Arguing for the proposition is Team 'The Procreators' starring radio host and maths nerd to the masses Adam Spencer, Quandamooka saltwater scientist Mibu Fischer, Guardian Australia journalist and TikTok presenter Matilda Boseley. Arguing against the proposition is Team 'Nappy Rash and the Tiny Demons' starring Mathematician Barbara Holland, Guardian Australia cartoonist First Dog on the Moon, Science Vs podcast host Wendy Zukerman. Who will convince you?

Speakers:

THE PROCREATORS

Adam Spencer (Team captain)Author, broadcaster, maths geek

Mibu FischerQuandamooka saltwater scientist, marine ethnoecologist and PhD studentCSIRO

Matilda BoseleyGuardian Australia journalist and social media presenterAuthor, The Year I Met My Brain (Penguin, 2023)

NAPPY RASH AND THE LITTLE DEMONS

Professor Barbara HollandMathematician, University of TasmaniaFirst Dog on the MoonCartoonist and wannabe marsupialGuardian Australia

Wendy ZukermanScience journalistHost and founder, Science Vs podcast