Exposing the Shark Attack Industrial Complex

Exposing the Shark Attack Industrial Complex will examine and challenge the public's relationship with sharks, the beach, and our own identity. The way social, political, and commercial interests combine to portray all sharks in a one-dimensional manner to generate increased income, tourism, hotel rooms, movie tickets, and political cover will be discussed by Associate Professor Chris Pepin-Neff.

Pepin-Neff’s talk comes at a sensitive and emotional time for the local community following a cluster of shark attacks across Australia. This talk is based on the idea that being silent about shark attacks and shark bite prevention has never made anyone safer. This is the time and season to equip the public with more information, including challenging stereotypes about “rogue sharks” and what we believe to be true.

Please come on Monday. 14 September at 6:30pm to this special Social Science Week event and Q&A to discuss and contest the public’s understanding of sharks and the ocean, and bring as many questions as you like! There comes a tipping point where the exploitation of easy narratives about sharks and the ocean harms the public. And that moment has arrived. Again, harder questions make for a safer summer, and I hope you can join us!

Speaker:

Dr. Chris Pepin-Neff is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and one of the world's leading experts on human-shark interactions and shark attacks. 

Details:

Date: Monday 14 September 2026

Time: 6:30-7:30pm (arrive from 6pm)

Venue: Seminar room 650, Social Sciences Building, Science Road, The University of Sydney

This event is part of the 2026 Social Sciences Week.