Associate Professor Tom van Laer
A tradition of Leiden University in the Netherlands, the annual speech on the themes of freedom and the rule of law commemorates the courage of Rudolph Cleveringa, a law professor imprisoned for a speech protesting the persecution of his colleagues Jews during World War II.
The Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Australia have invited Tom van LaerAssociate Professor of Narratology at the University of Sydney Business School, to deliver the 2023 Australian Address.
“From Uncle Tom’s Cabin At Nepali soap operas, my research examines how stories have changed people’s attitudes towards rights, freedom and responsibility – and what this means for modern challenges including climate change and growing social disunity within Western democracies,” said Associate Professor van Laer.
“At a time of great conflict over the stories that give meaning to our world, I am grateful to Leiden University and the diplomatic mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for this opportunity to speak about the power of stories to shape and change our reality. »
