Best-selling author Bri Lee will be in conversation with Richard Morecroft her new novel Seed.

Mitchell is a brilliant biologist, committed to the environment and the growing global antinatalist movement. For one month each year he lives with his colleague Frances in a utopia of radical equality and scientific dedication in Antarctica. They are concluding the Anarctos Project: a seed vault in an isolated, secret location. It is a biodiversity insurance policy against humanity’s devastating effects on the rapidly warming planet.

But when their helicopter doesn’t pick them up, and strange things begin to happen, their faith in science is suddenly not enough. Mitchell has been keeping big secrets – from Frances and from himself. The ice haunts him with memories of a devastating betrayal and questions of legacy and fairness crowd his mind.

If they don’t get back to McMurdo Station before the last flight home they face a long dark polar winter together. Alone. As the days get shorter, these two people of firm logic and reason begin finding fault lines in their perfect social experiment.

Thrilling, original and almost unbearably suspenseful, Seed offers an uneasy glimpse into isolation, love and our worst fears.

‘Bri Lee’s expertly crafted novel is an urgent philosophical questioning of humanity and responsibility. It’s also an equally persuasive thriller. Dynamic and moving.’– Christos Tsiolkas

Bri Lee is the multi-award-winning bestselling author of acclaimed non-fiction books Eggshell Skull, Beauty and Who Gets to Be Smart. Her journalism, essays, and short stories have been published widely, and she is the creator and editor of News & Reviews. Bri's bestselling first novel, The Work, was published in April 2024 and has been longlisted for the 2025 Indie Award for Debut Fiction.

Richard Morecroft is an arts interviewer with a long history in broadcasting, particularly as the ABC's nightly news presenter for 20 years and the host of ‘Letters and Numbers’ on SBS. He has contributed to the National Library's Oral History programme and is the author of several books, including 20 years from the waist up : tales of a TV news anchor.

Karen Viggers, best-selling Canberra writer, veterinarian and podcaster will give the vote of thanks.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event.

Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

To help keep everyone safe, please ensure that you are familiar with, and follow, the advice from  ACT Health regarding COVID-19.

If you do not feel well, please refrain from attending this event.

By registering for this event, you acknowledge and accept our privacy policy.

A podcast will be made available after the event.

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C