Future Forum Sydney

Calling ambitious minds of every kind

Future Forum is a one-of-a-kind event inspiring and empowering the next generation. 

The next few months are a time of extraordinary growth, and your future is in your hands. The decisions you make now represent the crucial first steps towards realising your dreams, and the path leads to a fast-evolving world where we are all facing immense challenges and opportunities.

Future Forum is an event designed for you – a leader of the future – to be inspired, empowered and connected to help you stand out and speak up as you enter the next stage of your education and career.  

Event details:
When: Sunday, 8 March 2026
Time: 5pm - 8pm

LOCATION DETAILS

Past speakers

Revisit content from our previous Future Forum events. Hear from esteemed Bond alumni, each one a leader in their field with a global reputation for visionary thinking and a unique capacity for turning dreams into transformative realities. 

  • Samantha Strauss

    The power of storytelling with award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker and Bond alumna Samantha...
    screenwriter

  • Usman Khawaja

    The profound impact of education and sport with founder of the Usman Khawaja Foundation and MBA...
    Test cricketer
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Location details

The Calyx, Royal Botanic Gardens

Royal Av, Sydney New South Wales 2143

The Calyx is located within the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. The closest entrance for guest arrivals and departures is Gate A – Moreshead Fountain Gate, on the corner of Macquarie Street and Shakespeare Place.

Parking

The closest available parking is the Parkhouse Wilson Car Park. 24 hour metered parking is also available on Hospital Road and Macquarie Street.  Additionally, secure, undercover parking is available at the Domain Car Park and nearby parking stations.

Public transport

When arriving via public transport, the closest train and metro station is Martin Place, an 8-minute walk from the venue. For Uber and Taxi, the closest drop-off point is 157 Macquarie Street, opposite Morshead Fountain Gate.

VIEW VENUE MAP

Meet your speakers

Melanie Hayden

Melanie started her career at top-tier law firm Allens, before moving to the Commonwealth Bank and rising through the ranks to become the Executive Manager of Group Partnerships and Business Development. She is currently a Managing Director at x15ventures, CommBank’s venture scaler that builds, buys and invests in startups, leading the launch of an Australian-first identity protection tool. Melanie is also a coach at Startmate and board member of both the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre and Southwest Sydney Women's Centre.
She was awarded the Bond University Young Alumni Award in 2016.

Bonnie Hancock

A professional Ironwoman at just seventeen, Bonnie Hancock has competed in 9 Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series, representing Australia. Bonnie recently became the fastest person and youngest person to paddle a surf ski 12,700 km around the Australian coastline. On her journey, Bonnie overcame extraordinary challenges including sharks and crocodile encounters, huge seas and sea sickness. Talk about resilience! She wrote a book about her experience, called The Girl Who Touched The Stars, and the published author is now studying a Bachelor of Journalism at Bond


 

Dr Michael Todorovic

Associate Professor of Medicine, Dr Mike Todorovic. Dr Mike has earned an international reputation as a medical educator and researcher. His videos and resources reach more than 10 million people every month, and his collaborations span organisations from the World Science Festival to YouTube itself. If you're interested in health or science, chances are he’s appeared on your feed.
 

Connect with our academics at Future Forum

Kathy Atkins

Associate Dean - External Engagement & International. Kathy completed her LLB at the Queensland University of Technology in 1984 followed by her Diploma in Legal Practice Course in 1985 and her Masters of Law in 2001. Until 1991, Kathy practised in commercial law both in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. Since 1991, she has practised in family law and consults to Jones Mitchell Lawyers, a firm practising exclusively in that area. Kathy has been associated with Bond University since 1994 and has lectured in the Professional Legal Training program since 1999.

Dr Libby Sander

Dr Libby Sander has degrees in Arts, Japanese and Business, a Masters degree in Human Resource Management, and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour.

She is Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Bond University, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the founder and director of the Future of Work Project, founder of Rethink, past Chair of Goldspaces, an urban renewal and cultural development platform, and an Agenda Contributor at the World Economic Forum.

Libby is an acknowledged expert on the future of work, and a leading authority on the design of the workplace and its influence on thinking, emotion and performance. Libby is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Work and Place Journal.

Dr Michael Todorovic

Associate Professor of Medicine at Bond University that has developed a significant national and international reputation as a medical educator and researcher. Focusing on anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology, I have designed and developed educational resources that are adopted by students, universities, and healthcare facilities globally - reaching over 10 million people every month. My area of research is the design, development, and evaluation of medical education, with a specific focus on social media platforms, including YouTube, Podcasts, Instagram, X (formally Twitter), and TikTok. I have developed strong industry relationships, evidenced by my collaborations with Elsevier, Wiley, YouTube, World Science Festival, the Australian Dental Association, and the Australian Medical Association. My projects and collaboraitons have secured over $1.4 million in funding since 2016 and I have published 30+ peer-reviewed articles.

Dr James Birt

James is the Associate Dean of External Engagement for the Faculty of Society Design, and an Associate Professor of Creative Media studies at Bond, and his distinctive contribution to academia is evidenced in over 80 publications and multiple national media engagements, including The Conversation, ABC News, and The Project. His research spans computer science, applied design, the development of virtual, augmented, and extended reality (VR/AR/XR) technology, as well as the use of games-based experiences for assisting learning and knowledge discovery.

James is recognized as an international leader in educational technology, extended reality (XR), and games, which is reflected in his engagement with a variety of external organisations and academic bodies. James holds an editorial role with Springer Educational Technology Research and Development (ETR&D); a position on the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) working group for AR/VR technology; an assessor’s role for the International Serious Games Showcase and Challenge (SGSC); and an expert role on the 2022 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report.

Future Forum FAQs

Q. Where will Future Forum take place?

A. Future Forum Sydney will take place at The Calyx, located in The Royal Botanic Gardens.

Q. Who can attend?

A.. Future Forum is open to ambitious Year 11 and 12 students around Australia. As it is an small and intimate event, places are strictly limited. Please register your interest as early as possible and we'll be in touch to confirm your place. 

Q. How much does it cost?

A. Future Forum is a complimentary event hosted by Bond University.

 

No longer able to attend?

This is a catered event with limited availability. If you are no longer able to attend this event, please notify us as soon as possible via the link below. 

Your timely cancellation will allow us to accommodate other interested participants. Thank you for your understanding.

CANCEL ATTENDANCE

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