Program

Featured events

So, what if we mixed Four Pillars Gin with Shiraz grapes?

One day Four Pillars Gin founder and distiller Cameron Mackenzie thought, “What would happen if we combined our Rare Dry Gin with some of the best Shiraz grapes in Australia?” And the answer was the innovative Bloody Shiraz Gin.

Sat 25 May 4–5.30pmFood Dining

Hack Fed Square

How can we ensure Fed Square remains one of Melbourne’s key cultural landmarks and iconic meeting places - a space where creativity, curiosity and inspiration collide?

Sat 25 May 5–7pmDesign Workshop

Kids in the know

Build a LEGO bridge with Dr Collette Burke

Channel your inner LEGO master and join Victoria's Chief Engineer and MKW19 ambassador Dr Collette Burke and team to construct a section of the world’s longest LEGO bridge at the Hub.

Sun 26 May 11am–4pmDesign Workshop

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

How would you light up the city after dark?

Light up the night to make the city more playful, fun and safer for everyone.

Tue 21 May 7–9pmDesign Exhibition

Dinner with Bruce Pascoe

Take your seat in the Hub Restaurant for an MKW highlight event exploring the food and agriculture of the oldest continuous culture on Earth.

Tue 21 May 7–10pmFood Dining

The Orbweavers: Newer Volcanics

Newer Volcanics is a live performance of original songs by The Orbweavers in collaboration with The Letter String Quartet, with atmospheric visuals and production design by filmmaker Brian Cohen.

Wed 22 May 8.30–9.30pmMusic Performance

Factory of the future: Technology through time

Travel back through time to see a lost architectural gem in its former glory!

Thu 23 May 6.30–8.30pmDesign Exhibition

What native species are hiding in your backyard?

Ever wondered what native plants and animals share your backyard, local park, creek or even your house? Hint: it's not just gum trees and possums.

Tue 21 May 5.30–7pmEnvironment Talk

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

What is the public purpose of innovation districts?

The Melbourne Innovation District is part of a global wave of urban best practice to demonstrate leadership in the knowledge economy.

Tue 21 May 10.30–11.30amSmart Cities Talk

Under your feet

Join us for a short ride into the amazing world of archaeology and its role in shaping the future and uncovering the past.

Wed 22 May 6–8pmTechnology Panel

Towards Melbourne 02050

Convo and Local Peoples present: Speculative futures dinner

Feed your curiosity at a long-table dining experience with a difference.

Thu 23 May 6.30–10.30pmFood Dining

So, what if we didn’t have prisons?

Prisons may seem like a necessary part of our criminal justice system, but can we imagine a future where incarceration is a thing of the past?

Tue 21 May 12.30–1.30pmWellbeing Panel

So, what if Melbourne was underwater?

The experts have spoken – there is no doubt water is rising globally. But what will it mean for the people of Melbourne?

Wed 22 May 12.30–1.30pmEnvironment Panel

Circular living: designing a sustainable future

Sustainability. It’s the buzzword of the century. But what does it actually mean to practice it, live it and design it?

Wed 22 May 10.30–11.30amDesign Panel

Towards Melbourne 02050

Chorus of voices

Writing together and sharing stories to explore the future of Melbourne.

Thu 23 May 10–11amEducation Performance

Themed days at the Hub

Kids in the know

A day of discovery for children and the young at heart - meet AI robots, delve into kids crafts, have your say at a democracy expo and more!

Sun 26 May 10am–4pmEducation Experience

Living closer together

Making our city more liveable for all Melburnians

Sat 25 May 10am–10pmEnvironment Forum

Democracy forum

Have your say about the future of democracy

Fri 24 May 10am–10pmDemocracy Forum

Towards Melbourne 02050

Towards Melbourne 02050 is a day focused on the future of our city brought to you by Melbourne Speculative Futures, the Melbourne Chapter of an international network for those interested in speculative design, critical design and design fiction.

Thu 23 May 10am–10pmFutures Forum

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

Urban innovation for city benefits

Tue 21 May 10am–10pmSmart Cities Forum

Events at the Hub

Opening night: Duet Live by Tim Shiel

Enter a mesmerising trance of duality with Duet LIVE – a minimalist gaming experience that will expand the limits of your perception.

Mon 20 May 7–9pmMusic Performance

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

2019 Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP) Launch

In 2018, more than 1000 guests packed the Plaza to witness the MAP18 Accelerator cohort presenting their successful pitches in front of a who’s who of Melbourne’s startup ecosystem. In 2019, we’re bringing the magic of this night to the Hub.

Tue 21 May 5.30–8.30pmStartups Panel

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

Connectivity and the future of transport

How can mobility innovation help us travel through the city?

Tue 21 May 3–4pmTechnology Panel

The art of play: Should kids be outdoors or online?

Supervised outside play or screen-time freedom - are we raising well-balanced children or kids that lack the coping tools to navigate the real world?

Wed 22 May 2.30–3.20pmEducation Panel

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

How can a pickled cucumber shape the future worker?

Discover how pickling cucumbers can help shape the future of work. Wait, what’s that got to do with pickles?

Tue 21 May 10.30am–12.30pmDesign Workshop

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

How would you light up the city after dark?

Light up the night to make the city more playful, fun and safer for everyone.

Tue 21 May 7–9pmDesign Exhibition

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

Social innovation panel

What drives social innovation? What does social innovation mean, and what does it mean for Melbourne?

Tue 21 May 11.30am–12.30pmEducation Panel

Code in the Hub

Ever wanted to try your hand at programming and get behind the screens of the internet? Now is your chance to jump start your journey into website coding.

Wed 22 May 6–7pmEducation Workshop

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

Meet the minds of the Melbourne-Boston research showcase

Delight your mind and marvel at the genius behind bionic eyes, piano improvisation and pneumonia patient care.

Tue 21 May 10am–12pmEducation Panel

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

What is the public purpose of innovation districts?

The Melbourne Innovation District is part of a global wave of urban best practice to demonstrate leadership in the knowledge economy.

Tue 21 May 10.30–11.30amSmart Cities Talk

Melbourne Innovation Districts forum

Health research and technology in the Melbourne Innovation District

Hear from a panel Australia’s best and brightest biomedical experts as they share the latest research and innovation coming out of the Biomedical Precinct and discuss the path from research to commercialisation.

Tue 21 May 2–3pmTechnology Panel

The Minefield: Live recording

Join Waleed Aly and Scott Stephens in the Hub for a special live recording of The Minefield.

Wed 22 May 11.15am–12.30pmDemocracy Performance

Akec Makur Chuot

Akec Makur Chuot is a South Sudanese former AFLW player and Richmond FC VFLW player. She …