Is Critical Thinking Passé in Universities?

A dialogue between Musa al-Gharbi and Peter Ellerton, facilitated by Susan Grantham

Presented by the Free Speech Union of Australia, in association with The Brisbane Dialogues

Is critical thinking still central to the mission of universities - or has it been displaced by cultural, ideological or other forces?

This special one-off dialogue event tackles that fundamental question, leading onto others about the degree of open inquiry, viewpoint diversity and self-censorship in universities today. With the social licence of universities under scrutiny and challenge, this is an important, timely discussion.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Dr Musa al-Gharbi

Dr al-Gharbi is a sociologist at Stony Brook University, New York. His work explores how we form shared understandings of social issues. Described by The New York Times as “a rising intellectual star,” his writing challenges elite narratives around justice, marginalisation, and political power.

According to the publisher, Princeton University Press, his current book "We Have Never Been Woke - The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite" is about how a new "woke" elite uses the language of social justice to gain more power and status—without helping the marginalized and disadvantaged.

Full bio

(Books will be available for purchase on the night.)

Dr Peter Ellerton

Dr Ellerton is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Queensland and Curriculum Director of the UQ Critical Thinking Project. He specialises in public reasoning, science communication, and argumentation in education. With extensive experience in curriculum design and teacher education, he has advised institutions including the International Baccalaureate Organisation and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority.

LinkedIn Profile

Dr Susan Grantham

Dr Grantham is a Lecturer in Communication and Work Integrated Learning Coordinator at Griffith University. An early career researcher, she specialises in the intersection of social media and organisational communication, with a focus on platforms like TikTok. Her research examines political communication, crisis messaging, and reputation management in the digital age.

LinkedIn profile

THE FORMAT

Dialogues are non-partisan discussion events designed to model constructive conversation across differences. Not debates, not soft interviews and not one-way lectures — but long-form, participatory discussions that break down complex issues without dumbing them down. A short, moderated Q&A will follow the dialogue, with questions drawn from pre-event emails and live SMS submissions.

This Dialogue will be conducted under The Brisbane Rule: All participants agree to listen carefully, speak respectfully and concentrate on the content of discussions, not on characters - before, during and afterwards, online as well as offline.

List of past and current Dialogues events.

THE ORGANISERS

The Free Speech Union of Australia is part of a global movement of Free Speech Unions. Our sister organizations are based in New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Our vision is for an Australia where people have their free speech rights broadly protected and promoted so that the fun and jovial Australian spirit can pervade our lives, be it in the workplace, in civil society, or in politics. The mission is to protect and promote free speech in Australia, as well as defend our members' right to exercise free speech.

The Brisbane Dialogues is Australia's first civil discourse or "bridging organisation", established in 2020 to model better discussions between people who disagree.

EVENT LOGISTICS

Topic: A Dialogue with Musa Al-Gharbi: Is Critical Thinking Passé in Universities?

Date: Fri 11 July 2025

Venue: Tattersall’s Club, 215 Queen St, Brisbane City

Time	Activity
5.30 pm	Doors open (Premium / Early tickets — canapés included)
6.30 pm	Doors open (Student and General tickets) — cash bar opens
7.00 pm	Dialogue commences
≈ 8.30 pm	Dialogue concludes → Book signing with Musa al-Gharbi
9.00 pm	Bar closes

All ages welcome.

Photo ID may be required for entry. Tickets are not transferrable without prior arrangement.

TICKET PRICES

• Student $15

• General $29

• Premium (Early) $59 — includes canapés and priority entry from 5.30 pm

Drinks: canapés are included for Premium guests; a cash bar operates for everyone from 6.30 pm.

Escape the algorithm. Come join the conversation.