2026 Festival
Speaker Profile
Michael Pembroke
Michael Pembroke was born in Sydney and educated at the universities of Sydney and Cambridge. His first book was Trees of History & Romance (2009); his second, Arthur Phillip - Sailor, Mercenary, Governor, Spy (2013), was short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards; his third book Korea - Where the American Century Began (2018) was short-listed for the Queensland Literary Awards and the NSW Premier’s History Awards. Pembroke’s most recent book, a polemic about American leadership entitled Play By the Rules (2020), was published in the United States as America in Retreat (2021).
Beware The Authoritarians: Once in, how to get them out?
Will Partlett and Michael Pembroke with Tom Wright
When democracy's guardrails are dismantled, and institutions like universities, newspapers, the police, armies and courts come under pressure to conform to government thinking, where to for citizens?
The Silk Road And Its Impact On 21st Century China
Michael Pembroke with Michael Shmith
From ancient trade routes to modern geopolitics, this session explores how the legacy of the Silk Road continues to shape China’s global ambitions and influence in the 21st century with Michael Pembroke.
China And America At Sea: What’s next for us and the Pacific?
Clinton Fernandes, Michael Pembroke and Emma Shortis with Zoe Daniel