PEPSS Seminar October 2026
Description
Join us for our October PEPSS Seminar, an interdisciplinary panel discussion on “Interventions to Strengthen Democracy”.
We are pleased to announce our panellists:
Professor Piers Howe, Professor of Psychology at the University of Melbourne; and
Dr Jan G. Voelkel, Assistant Professor in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University.
Date & Time: Wednesday 28 October, 9-10:30am AEST (UTC +10)
Zoom link: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/85453812378?pwd=mnDPL3zgXda5BcCWLom6koLNFSrS8J.1
(Meeting ID: 854 5381 2378 | Password: 657265)
Lineup
Professor Kelly Fielding (Seminar Chair)
Kelly Fielding is a Professor in the School of Communication and Arts at The University of Queensland (UQ) and a Vice Chancellor’s research and teaching fellow. She is a social and environmental psychologist whose research is broadly focused on two interlinked areas: 1) identifying the determinants of individuals’ environmental and risk-related perceptions, attitudes and behaviour; 2) developing effective ways to engage with communities about risk and environmental issues, including developing effective communication and behaviour change programs. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to her research working with researchers from a range of disciplines and leading interdisciplinary cross-institutional research teams and has worked with local council, State Government, and catchment management authorities to undertake this research.
Professor Piers Howe
Professor Piers Howe is a leading Australian expert on misinformation and disinformation. Based at the University of Melbourne, he co-leads the Information and Influence Hub and the Hallmark Research Initiative on Fighting Harmful Online Communication, helping drive nationally significant research and policy engagement in this field. His work spans psychology, artificial intelligence, and national security, with more than 125 publications and over $5.5 million in competitive research funding. He is known for developing practical interventions to reduce the spread and impact of misinformation. Piers is a trusted adviser to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, has contributed to major government and scientific reports, and serves on the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE), providing evidence-based guidance on disinformation and influence operations. His work has had significant impact across research, policy, and education.
Dr Jan G. Voelkel
Dr Jan G. Voelkel is an Assistant Professor in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy at Cornell University. His research examines how citizens can overcome social dilemmas in polarized democracies, with work published in leading journals including Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Nature Human Behaviour. Jan's research has attracted international attention and has been featured in outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic. He has received several awards recognising his contributions to behavioural and social science research, open science, and teaching. Originally from Germany, Jan holds degrees from Stanford University, Tilburg University, and the University of Cologne. His work combines insights from sociology, psychology, and public policy to better understand cooperation, political division, and social change.
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