Join us for a free live event which will help arm our local community with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves against scammers.
Last year, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams and more than 600,000 scam were reported, according to an ACCC report. Older people suffered the greatest losses.
The scale a magnitude of scams creates fear and anxiety, as people second guess using links, answering unknown phone calls and agreeing to share their data.
We’ve brought together an expert panel to Beat the Hackers, by creating awareness, protecting our data and learning simple security tools to keep ourselves, our families and our workplaces safe from cyber threats.
Our esteemed panel includes:
- Hon Stephen Jones MP, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services
- Professor Katina Michael, Arizona State University & University of Wollongong
- Professor Shahriar Akter, University of Wollongong
Hon Stephen Jones MP, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services
Stephen Jones is the Federal Member for Whitlam and serves as the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services.
Prior to his role in Federal Parliament, Stephen made it his life work to help people – including working as a Research Officer for the Australian Quadriplegic Association, Disability Support Worker, Youth Worker, Branch Secretary and Communications Division Secretary for the CPSU (NSW) and as a Lawyer for the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
Stephen was first elected to the Federal Parliament in 2010. As the representative of the Whitlam electorate and a Commonwealth Minister, he is dedicated representing his community and protecting Australians from scams.
Professor Katina Michael, Arizona State University & University of Wollongong
Dr. Katina Michael is the director of the Society Policy Engineering Collective (SPEC) and holds a joint professorial appointment in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University, in the U.S., and also an honorary professor in the Faculty of Business and Law at UOW. She studies the ethical, legal and social implications of emerging technologies.
Dr. Katina Michael will delve into the socio-ethical implications of emerging technologies, shedding light on how they shape our self-image and societal values.
Professor Shahriar Akter, University of Wollongong
Shahriar Akter is a Professor of Marketing Analytics & Innovation and Associate Dean of Research at the Faculty of Business & Law at UOW, Australia. He was awarded his PhD from UNSW Business School Australia, with a fellowship in research methods from the University of Oxford. He specializes in the study of advanced analytics & AI, algorithmic biases and digital Innovation in business studies.
He was recognised as one of the Top Australian Business Researchers by the Australian Newspaper’s Research Magazine in 2022 & 2023. He was also featured as one of the leading academic data leaders in the world by the CDO magazine in 2022. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Strategic Marketing and Electronic Markets. He served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute in China, and Toulouse Business School in France.
Tania Brown, UOW Local and Deputy Mayor Wollongong Council
Tania Brown is the Manager UOW Local at the University of Wollongong, which aims to increase engagement between the local community and UOW.
For the last 13 year’s Tania was Chief Operating Officer at the University of Wollongong’s SMART Infrastructure Facility with responsibility for the day to day operations of this $62 million national facility, including managing stakeholder relations and attracting investment to the Facility.
Prior to joining the University in 2009, Tania spent 13 years working for State and Federal Governments. Her role as a Senior Ministerial Policy Advisor saw her dealing with the development, implementation and communication of government policies in a range of areas.
Tania was elected as a Councillor for Wollongong City Council in September 2017 and she currently serves the community as Deputy Lord Mayor.
We’re committed to delivering safe & enjoyable performing arts experiences.
For important information and FAQs, please visit www.merrigong.com.au/staysafe.