Is Laughter the Best Medicine?

Name: Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
Start: 2025-08-20T18:00:00+1000
End: 2025-08-20T19:30:00+1000
Location: Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre

Wed, 20 Aug, 6pm - 7:30pm AEST

Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre

sandy bay, australia

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University of Tasmania

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Event description

Explore the surprising impacts of humour on health in this unique mix of comedy and expert insights.

In times of growing social isolation and health challenges, could laughter offer unexpected benefits? Our scientists, industry experts and researchers join forces with comedy acts to unpack how humour might support well-being and strengthen connections.

Tickets are free but essential, secure yours now to avoid missing out.

The experts

Associate Professor Alison Canty, neuroscientist, Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre, University of Tasmania
Dr Daryl Peebles, writer, performer and ‘grandfather of Tasmanian comedy’
Dr David Bakker, Clinical Psychologist, Archer Street Health and Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, University of Tasmania
Hosted by Dr Larissa Bartlett, mindfulness teacher and The Mind Games Research Fellow (Mental Health), Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania

Pre-event refreshments

Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.

Attend online

Prefer to attend online? Secure your tickets here.

About the experts

Dr Daryl Peebles has spent over 40 years making people laugh as a comedian, writer, ventriloquist, and magician. His comedy plays have been performed across Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, and he regularly takes to the stage as an MC, after-dinner speaker, and charity auctioneer. But there’s a serious side to his humour. With a PhD from the University of Tasmania, Daryl’s research explored The Value of Humour in Workplaces, uncovering how laughter can shape well-being and productivity. Now, he’s turned his focus to the power of humour in ageing and mental health. A regular performer in the Mental Health Week Comedy Roadshow, he’s soon bringing his latest show, Stand Up for Seniors (but not necessarily on the bus), to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Associate Professor Alison Canty is a neuroscientist at the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania. Her research focuses on how the brain and its potential to repair and regenerate, particularly in the context of ageing and dementia. Her career has taken her to top institutions like the Karolinska Institute and Imperial College London. In 2022, she was named an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, and spent 12 months at The Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin. Passionate about advancing dementia care, Associate Professor Canty leads the suite of Wicking Dementia Education programs, combining research with practical, impactful education.

Dr David Bakker is a clinical psychologist based in Hobart, Tasmania. He teaches postgraduate psychology at the University of Tasmania and works in private practice at Archer Street Health. He is also a stand-up comedian and runs The Clubhouse; a regular comedy room in Hobart headlined by interstate comedians. Clubhouse headliners have included Hannah Gadsby, Ronny Chieng, Rhys Nicholson, Denise Scott, Felicity Ward, and many more. He also produces the Tassie Mental Health Comedy Roadshow, which tours to regional locations every year in mental health week.

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Find out more

Want to learn more about the University of Tasmania's Island of Ideas public talks series? Catch-up on past events, register for upcoming talks or get in touch with us via our Island of Ideas webpage.

Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity

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University of Tasmania

985 followers

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Welcome to the University of Tasmania

Changing the world is not simple. It takes thought, time, persistence, and insight. But most of all, it takes something extraordinary. So at the University of Tasmania, we’ve made the pursuit of the extraordinary a never-ending commitment. It influences everything we do. The way we teach. The way we research. The way we learn. And the way we live.

An environment made for learning

Welcome to one of the world’s most spectacular natural environments. Framed by beaches, snowfields and wilderness, from our stunning island home in Tasmania we’re free to think on a bigger scale. Whether it’s in our teaching, research, or even student lifestyle, this unique landscape has prepared us to connect to the world. We’re also fortunate to be right in Tasmania’s vibrant cultural heart. From our MONA inspired arts boom to our established food, wine and coffee culture, Tasmania’s towns and cities are as cosmopolitan as anywhere in Australia. Friendly, vibrant and always changing, Tasmania’s as good a place to live, as it is to learn.

From the bottom of the world, to the top

Our ranking in the top two per cent of universities worldwide reflects our willingness to constantly challenge ourselves. We’ve never been afraid to take on the world – something we pass on to each of our more than 29,000 local, national and international students. Throughout their careers, this underpins the success of the 130,000 alumni we have spread across more than 120 countries.

Internationally recognised teaching programs and research institutes like the Australian Maritime College (AMC), Menzies Institute and Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies have built our reputation. With their vision and success, we’re standing out as an educational beacon and a global voice of learning.

Our commitment to the extraordinary tells the world one thing. Wherever you’re from – and wherever you’re headed – at the University of Tasmania you have the opportunity to use education to become whoever or whatever you want.