Carrots that stick: Rethinking pleasure and pain as human motivators

Social epidemiologist Prof Ichiro Kawachi describes how mental short-cuts affect our health choices, often for the worse, and what can be done to help us make better choices. Presented by Dr Dyani Lewis.

Medieval historian Prof William Reddy examines the conditions in Europe that led to the notion of romantic love. He also looks at the early constructs of love and desire in India and Japan. Presented by Jennifer Martin.

Social psychologist Dr Sara Konrath discusses intergenerational differences in empathy, and how this important social attribute seems to be diminishing in Generation Y. Presented by Dr Dyani Lewis.

Mechanical engineer Peter Lee and prosthetist Jim Lavranos describe the challenges of creating low-cost prosthetic limb technologies in developing countries, and contrast this with how things are done in wealthier economies. Presented by Dr Shane Huntington.