The Forrest Research Foundation was delighted to host Dr Daniel Heller and Dr Farid Zaid from Monash University’s Brave Conversations program for an informal evening of discussion and reflection. Facilitated by Louise, our FRF Program and Partnerships Coordinator, the conversation explored how we can engage with challenging topics through curiosity, empathy and respectful disagreement. Drawing on insights from psychology, education, neuroscience and philosophy, Daniel and Farid encouraged us to embrace complexity rather than shy away from it.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of thoughtful conversation and deep engagement. We are especially grateful to Daniel and Farid for sharing their expertise and helping us explore what it means to have brave conversations in an increasingly complex world.
More about our guest speakers:
Dr Dan Heller is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, specialising in East European Jewish history, Israeli-Palestinian relations, and the psychology of conflict and cooperation. His research and teaching focus on fostering dialogue and historical awareness, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Farid Zaid is a cognitive psychologist and education-focused academic at Monash University. He is the Director of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology and Co-Director of the Monash Brave Conversations Project. His work focuses on cognition, learning, and the conditions that support constructive disagreement, intellectual humility, and civic resilience. Dr Zaid is passionate about bridging academic research with real-world challenges, particularly the growing tensions around self-censorship, academic freedom, and the need for universities to better support open, honest dialogue.
