Read Between the Lines: Critical Thinking in a Global World

Online, interactive session open to UTS students and staff (Zoom registration required). You will earn 5 elective points if you are a BUILD member.

We consume information and news via various means including printed, television and social media apps. But is everything we read or see revealing all the facts.....or are they even true at all?!

In a modern global world, where anyone and everyone is potentially a "reporter", generating or sharing content and news, we must be able to critically think about and evaluate the information we are provided. Identifying common techniques used to illicit certain responses, mis-leading or false information are just the beginning of being able to think independently and critically about what we see and read.

This session will explore some of these issues and topics with ABC International Reporter, Lucy Sweeney, and ABC Health Reporter, Tegan Taylor, who will guide us through:

Identifying the difference between mis-information, dis-information and mal-information.
Learning different ways in which news and information is received daily and reflect on these as ‘reliable’ or ‘unreliable’.
Identifying ways in which people’s brains and opinions can be influenced.
Reflecting on the responsibilities of consuming information and news and passing this on to others.
Learning to critically analyse information provided by various sources.
Identifying tangible strategies to critically review information and filter sources.
Understanding the harm that false or misleading information has for the Australian public and global population.
Transfer critical thinking skills to broader situations both in a local and a global context by identifying some practical and relatable scenarios.

This session will be interactive and provide opportunity for participants to work in small groups to complete different tasks and answer questions. Small breakout rooms will be assigned throughout the duration of the workshop and presentation. Participants will be allocated to breakout rooms based on their current UTS status (staff member, student or alumnus) to allow for appropriate depth and breadth of conversations.

UTS staff and alumni are encouraged to join the session and participate; there will be opportunity to engage in stimulating conversations with colleagues and students and gain insights based on Tegan and Lucy's industry experience.

About Tegan Taylor, Health Reporter: ABC Science

Tegan Taylor is a multi-award-winning health and science reporter for the ABC. She hosts shows including Radio National’s Health Report, Quick Smart and What’s That Rash? She’s received a Walkley Award, the Eureka Prize for Science Journalism and her work has appeared in the Best of Australian Science Writing.

About Lucy Sweeney, Reporter: ABC International

Lucy Sweeney is a digital producer and journalist with the ABC News International team. She works with the ABC's foreign correspondents to bring audiences the latest news, features and analysis from around the world. Recently Lucy has covered everything from how different countries are handling the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, to the fall of abortion rights across the US, and of course Russia's war in Ukraine.

About your host UTS BUILD:

This event is hosted by UTS BUILD (Beyond UTS International Leadership Development). BUILD is an extra-curricular global leadership program with a mission to develop self-aware, informed and active global citizens and leaders in service to deliver positive social impact in the world.
This event supports BUILD Values of Leadership, Global citizenship, Empowerment, and Social and Environmental Sustainability.
This elective session is open to all UTS students, alumni and interested staff.
Find out more about UTS BUILD and consider joining - http://bit.ly/JoinUTSBUILD. If you are an incoming Study Abroad or Exchange student you can also join BUILD by clicking - https://bit.ly/BUILDSAEX

Expected best practice and active participation for online events/workshops (contributes to allocation of BUILD points)

Cameras on during presentation, group discussions and breakout rooms.
Use microphone to answer questions or add to discussion
Actively use Zoom chat
Use of laptop preferred for best engagement
Device FULLY charged (and close to charging port)
Ensure good/strong internet connection
Present in stationary and quiet area e.g. bedroom/office, university study room/cubicle

Please visit the Booking conditions and FAQs information page for full expectations.