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FOlio events

Our events program includes monthly Folio Conversations and social gatherings to stay connected and keep the conversation going.  

Folio Conversations bring diverse citizens — from different sectors, disciplines, backgrounds, and all walks of life — into connected conversation with incredible thinkers and doers from Australia and abroad. 

These small group conversations prioritise open, honest, and inclusive dialogue between all attendees. Seats are strictly limited to ensure that everyone has a meaningful opportunity to participate. 

Each conversation is an open invitation to better understand the issues, each other, and the world around us. 

We encourage all attendees to bring their curiosity, actively listen, and share their perspectives and experiences.

Folio events are free or discounted for Folio Members.   

Register below for upcoming events. 

Upcoming events

    • 17 Jul 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Virtual
    • 23
    Register


    The rise of digital platforms has dramatically transformed how Australians consume news and engage with public life. Traditional media outlets have faced declining revenues and shrinking audiences, leading to the closure of local papers and newsroom redundancies. In their place, influencers, citizen journalists and algorithm-driven content creators have emerged, shaping public opinion often outside traditional editorial standards or accountability frameworks.

    While this shift has democratised content creation and given rise to new, diverse voices, it has also amplified misinformation, entrenched algorithmic bias, and reduced the visibility of public interest journalism. Government interventions like the News Media Bargaining Code acknowledge the power of tech platforms — but broader regulation and digital media literacy remain underdeveloped, especially for younger Australians, many of whom will be banned from social media from December 2025.

    This conversation will explore Australia’s ban on social media use for under-16s, and the broader implications of disconnecting young people from platforms they have not been properly equipped to navigate. We will unpack how algorithms can amplify bias, misinformation and radicalisation, and consider the role media literacy might play in countering these effects.

    The discussion will also address how traditional notions of influence are being redefined as legacy media gatekeepers lose power, and what this shift means for democratic participation and trust. And of course, because we can’t escape social media’s role in the recent election, we will also discuss how political figures are using platforms like TikTok and podcasts to engage younger voters and construct a sense of political authenticity in new, often unconventional ways.

    Conversation Leader - Dr Susan Grantham


    Dr Susan Grantham is a researcher at Griffith University specialising in the intersection of trending social media, notably TikTok, and its applications within organisational contexts.

    Her work delves into the evolving landscape of TikTok use by political figures and parties, investigating the nuances of political authenticity in audience engagement. Further, she is exploring the emerging need for official disaster messaging on the platform during weather events.

    Prior to entering academia, Susan has held several senior positions managing strategic communications, crisis management, and social media engagement within the Queensland Government.

    Event format

    First time joining a Folio Conversation? 

    Folio Conversations explore the big issues of our times in a welcoming and trusted setting.

    These unique small-group gatherings:

    • connect people from all walks of life with inspiring thinkers and doers
    • prioritise open, honest and inclusive dialogue  
    • limit seat numbers so everyone can meaningfully participate
    • encourage curiosity, active listening, and sharing of ideas, perspectives and experiences

    Our main goal is to help you better understand the issues, each other, and the world around us.

    Folio is an independent, non-partisan, and not-for-profit social enterprise. We exist to strengthen democracy through connected, citizen-led dialogue. Democracy evolves one conversation at a time. Our mission is to have better conversations, more often.

Past events

25 Jun 2025 Australian Media: Is our legacy media dead?
19 Jun 2025 Annual General Meeting - 2025
29 May 2025 Social Soiree - May 2025
13 May 2025 Election 2025 - That's a wrap! What does the federal election mean for Australia?
3 Apr 2025 Election 2025: Does Australia's housing system need a renovation or rebuild?
26 Feb 2025 Election 2025 - How will independents shape our future Parliament?
15 Dec 2024 Folio End of Year Soirée
12 Dec 2024 AI Futures - How should we govern artificial intelligence?
27 Nov 2024 AI Futures - How might artificial intelligence safeguard our future?
31 Oct 2024 Spring Social
15 Oct 2024 Disrupting Violence: How can we reshape men's relationship with violence?
20 Aug 2024 Disrupting Violence: How do we end gender-based violence?
8 Aug 2024 Mid-Year Social Soiree
1 Jul 2024 Democratic Crossroads - Unpacking the Voice Referendum: What can we learn about Australia's Democracy?
24 Jun 2024 Democratic Crossroads - The Power of Participation: What's holding us back?
29 Apr 2024 The Price of Life: Are cost-of-living crises inevitable or preventable?
26 Mar 2024 Is the cost-of-living crisis fraying Australia's social fabric?
26 Feb 2024 Folio Members Meeting
3 Dec 2023 Folio End of Year Soirée - Builder's Arms Hotel Fitzroy
27 Nov 2023 Legitimate (S)expectations - Consent, relationships, and sexual wellbeing
23 Nov 2023 Nation Building - The Future of Transport in Australia
11 Oct 2023 Shifts down under - Reshaping Australia's political landscape
23 Aug 2023 Levelling the Playing Field - Women in Sport
26 Jul 2023 The Voice and the Right to Self-Determination
26 May 2023 🦊 Outfox the Ordinary: A Night of Clever Connections with Folio at Trinket Bar! 🍸
4 Apr 2023 NEW LOCATION - Atlas of Human Rights - Violations and protections in Australia and abroad
20 Mar 2023 (Un)ethical design — Robodebt, accountability, and equity in a digital society
20 Feb 2023 The State of Representation - Pathways to leadership and power
27 Nov 2022 Folio End of Year Social - Paella and Barefoot Bowls
23 Nov 2022 Rediscovering our role in community
19 Oct 2022 Public integrity, trust and democracy
20 Sep 2022 The Pilgrim’s Guide to the Workplace
25 Aug 2022 Social Enterprise: from local to global
30 Jun 2022 Keeping Mental Health Front of Mind - with Emily Unity & Dr Stephen Carbone
18 Jun 2022 June Folio Social @ Captain's of Industry
24 May 2022 The Future of Work - with Jan Owen and Professor Leah Ruppanner
13 May 2022 Ballers Clubhouse - Folio's May Social Event
28 Apr 2022 Planning for future pandemics, with Peter Doherty & Professor Wendy Stone
22 Apr 2022 The April Folio Social @Beneath Driver Lane
24 Mar 2022 The March Conversation Event: Can technology solve climate change?
18 Mar 2022 The March Folio Social @Journal Cafe
5 Mar 2022 Coffee Muster - Board Games @ Temple Arden
26 Feb 2022 Imbibo: Barefoot Bowls
19 Feb 2022 Theme Club: Space: it’s out there
15 Feb 2022 Folio Members Meeting
12 Dec 2021 Folio Christmas Party
26 Nov 2021 The November Folio Social @Journal Cafe
21 Oct 2021 It's the CANCELLED Folio Freedom Quiz!
23 Sep 2021 Reimagining business and finance, with Dan Madhavan and Jo Barraket
17 Sep 2021 Folio's Great Escape Trivia
13 Aug 2021 Folio's Bitter Sweet Team Trivia and Cocktails - Aug 13
20 Jul 2021 CANCELLED - Planning for future pandemics, with Peter Doherty and Danielle Wood
30 Apr 2021 Folio Social - Friday 30th April - from 6pm - Captains of Industry
12 Mar 2021 ShuffleBoard & Social Drinks 12th March
10 Mar 2021 Midday Meditation on Zoom
5 Feb 2021 Join us for Folio Friday drinks 5th Feb


We acknowledge the Aboriginal traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we meet. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future.

Contact: connect@folio.org.au

Address:
Melbourne VIC 3000

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