Discover big ideas and explore a world of literary talent in May at Sydney Writers' Festival events across campus.

For the first time ever, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will co-sponsor events at the iconic Sydney Writers' Festival, bringing a host of the world's brightest literary talent to the University of Sydney.

Under the festival theme of 'Public vs. Private', the program includes events on issues as diverse as the ‘Occupy’ movement, Indigenous literature, poetry, torture and the making of the next US president.

Be inspired, share big ideas and join the debates that matter in our world at the Sydney Writers' Festival, from 14 to 20 May.

For more information, visit the Sydney Writers' Festival Hub website.

The University of Sydney is the official education partner of TEDxSydney 2012, and you could win a double pass to this exclusive, invitation-only event!

Hear an exciting and diverse lineup of leading thinkers, storytellers and performers sharing their ideas at Carriageworks on Saturday 26 May.

To enter, tell us in 25 words or less 'what topic you believe should matter most to Australians and why?' – enter now!

Please agree to the terms and conditions before submitting your entry. Entries close on Friday 18 May, with the winner announced on Tuesday 22 May.

Find out more about TEDxSydney 2012. If you miss out on a ticket, you can join the public audience in the Carriageworks foyer for a live simulcast of the event.

For any questions about this competition please email what.matters@sydney.edu.au

Photo: Fiona Lumsdaine

To simplify printing and photocopying at University libraries, all students will now use ‘printing and photocopying payment’ (PPP) cards, which can be purchased and topped-up at any library.

PPP cards cost $4, and include $3 of pre-loaded credit.

Printing and photocopying methods in ICT Access Labs and Learning Hubs, and at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music are unchanged.

The pre-paid functionality on Student Campus Cards can still be used for other purchases on campus, but not for printing and photocopying at University libraries.

For more information, visit the Library website.

Research and careers fair, 4 to 6pm, MacLaurin Hall
If you're thinking about honours, master’s or a doctor of philosophy (PhD), discuss your options with leading medical and health researchers. A range of public and private sector employers of medical and health graduates will also attend.

Research scholarships in medicine and health (lecture and webinar), 6 to 7.30pm, Eastern Avenue Auditorium
Information about scholarships for research degrees in the Sydney Medical School, Sydney Nursing School, Faculty of Dentistry and Faculty of Pharmacy.

Study medicine or dentistry at the University, 6.30 to 8pm, Marjorie Oldfield Lecture Theatre, Edward Ford Building A27 
This event will include up-to-date information on the application processes and advice on preparing for the (much feared!) ‘Multiple Mini Interviews’.

For more information, visit the Sydney Medical School website.

Learn practical strategies for coping with the upcoming exam period.

When: 1 to 2pm, Thursday 22 May

No enrolment is necessary, just head to Room 513, Level 5, Jane Foss Russell Building, Darlington Campus. For more information, call 8627 8433 or 8627 8437.

And check out psychology honours student Alex blogging about self-control.

Men aged between 18 and 65, who have been in a stable relationship for at least six months, and snore or have obstructive sleep apnea and erectile difficulties are required to trial a device and drug designed to treat these conditions.

If you’re interested in participating call the Sleep and Circadian Group at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research on 02 9114 0498 or email volunteer@woolcock.org.au

Applications close on Monday 14 May.

Gain exposure to the Australian workplace culture, network with representatives from major Australian companies, and improve your employability skills. The internship and graduate recruitment market is highly competitive, so get career centred and stand out from the crowd.

For more information, visit the Careers Centre website.

Eurovision, a new exhibition at the Verge Gallery and USU election candidates take to the soapbox.

2012 Eurovision Screening and Party
When: 7pm, Sunday 27 May
Where: Hermann's Bar, Darlington Campus

Don't miss a minute of the glitz and kitsch from the one and only Eurovision Song Contest. Catch all the performances and edge-of-the-seat voting rounds as we bring Baku to you!

The Social exhibition at Verge Gallery
When: opening night 6pm, Thursday 10 May. Exhibition runs from 11 to 18 May. Closing night drinks and discussion 6.30pm, Thursday 17 May.
Where: Jane Foss Russell Plaza, Darlington Campus

Darlings! You simply must join us for what is surely going to be the ants-pants event of the year! Featuring 15 of the best up-and-coming creative things from around the joint. Spread the word!

USU elections – Candidates Soapbox
When: 12.45pm, Wednesday 16 May
Where: Manning Bar, Camperdown Campus

Hear the candidates speak about their policies and answer the tough questions ahead of the elections. Voting takes place on 29 May at Mallett Street, Rozelle Campus and the Conservatorium of Music, then on 30 May at Camperdown/Darlington Campus.

Want to know more about the carbon footprint of your brain? Attend this free seminar.

Discuss how glucose oxidation supports neuronal activity in the awake human brain with Professor DS Fahmeed Hyder, from Biomedical Engineering and Diagnostic Radiology at Yale University.

Presented by the Science, Neurology, and Psychiatry/Psychology Seminars (SciNaPPS).

Event details
When: Friday 11 May, 3.30 to 4.30pm
Where: Level 5 Lecture Theatre, Brain and Mind Research Institute, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown
Cost: Free

For more information, visit the Faculty of Science website.

Take part in the China Studies Centre annual workshop. 

Topics for this three-day event include ‘Connections between China and the West: Bronze and Iron Ages’, ‘Connections between China and the West: later periods’ and ‘Challenges in Afghan Heritage Management: war and post-war development’.

See the schedule for the three-day workshop.

A limited supply of headsets for simultaneous translation services will be provided to the audience, subject to availability, for lectures delivered in Chinese languages.

Event details
When: Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 May
Where: Nursing Lecture Theatre BG.01, Building B, ground level, 88 Mallett Street, Camperdown
Cost: Free

For more information, visit the China Studies Centre website.

In the mid-1940s, writers James McAuley and Harold Stewart submitted a series of poems to avant-garde literary magazine, Angry Penguins, under the fictitious name Ern Malley.

In a flurry of excitement, the poems were published in a special edition proclaiming the discovery of an important new Australian voice. When the hoax was exposed, it occupied the front page of newspapers around the world. The flurry died down but the voice continues.

For the past 20 years Associate Professor David Brooks from the Department of English has been on a quest to find the inspiration for the hoax, and the secrets of its haunting poetry. His journey has uncovered astounding facts that will overturn all previous assumptions. This is not just an account of the Ern Malley hoax – it is a fascinating study of literary hoaxes and poetry in general. Join Brooks as he speaks about the amazing Ern Malley hoax and Katherine Anderson from the Department of History as she reads a selection of the poems.

Event details
What: The Sons of Clovis: David Brooks
When: 6 to 9pm, Wednesday 16 May
Where: Macleay Museum, Gosper Lane (off Science Road), Camperdown Campus
Cost: free
RSVP: Museum Reception or 9036 5253

This event is part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’s partnership with the 2012 Sydney Writers’ Festival. For more information visit the faculty’s festival website.

Are there risks in maintaining relationships with the United States and China?
Should we choose one over the other?

If you have questions for Professor Garret send them to what.matters@sydney.edu.au, or post them in the comments section of his 'What Matters' page, where he'll respond during a live online forum next Wednesday.

Event details
When: 12 to 1pm, Wednesday 16 May
Where: What matters website

What are the positives and negatives of the communications revolution?
How do you see politicians using social media in the future?

Professor John Keane is Professor of Politics and Director of the Sydney Democracy Initiative. If you have questions for Professor Keane, send them to what.matters@sydney.edu.au, or post them in the comments section of his 'What Matters' page, where he'll respond during a live online forum next Thursday.

Event details
When: 12 to 1pm, Thursday 17 May
Where: What matters website

Join the Nicholson Museum for the opening of an exciting new exhibition, ‘50 Objects 50 Stories: Extraordinary Curiosities from the Nicholson Museum’.

This exhibition takes 50 of the more extraordinary objects from the Nicholson Museum's collection and tells an often bizarre or wonderful story that has attached itself to each since the moment of its discovery. Long time friend of the Nicholson Museum and author David Malouf will say a few words about some of his favourite objects in one of his favourite museums. He will also launch the exhibition's companion book.

Event details
When: 6 to 9pm, Thursday 17 May
Where: Nicholson Museum, the Quadrangle, Camperdown Campus
Cost: free
RSVP: Museum Reception or 9351 2812

As attitudes towards drug use change with each generation, it is finally time to decriminalise drugs?

The Sydney Morning Herald and Sydney Ideas respond to a recent Australia21 report by hosting this public forum.

The panel will include representatives from the Australia21 roundtable and other key experts and commentators to deliver a wide spectrum of perspectives on the issue of drug prohibition. Speakers include Professor Kate Conigrave from Sydney Medical School, alumnus David Marr, and student and University of Sydney Union director Vivien Moxham-Hall.

Event details
When: 6pm, Monday 21 May
Where: Foyer, New Law Building, Camperdown Campus
Cost: free

For more information, visit the Sydney Ideas website.

Registrations are now open for the 2012 Agriculture and Environment Research Symposium.

Jointly hosted this year by the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment and the United States Studies Centre, this symposium brings together experts from across the globe to discuss the dimensions of the different approaches that must be considered in the development and establishment of international research and policy agreements on soil security.

Event details
When: 16 and 17 July
Where: Camperdown Campus

To register or for more information, visit the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment website.

Distinguished local and international speakers will present the latest developments in their fields of research.

Associate Professor Lars Ittner and Professor Jürgen Götz from the Brain and Mind Research Institute invite you to join guest speakers Dr Jorge Pallop (Gladstone, United States) and Dr Ryan Watts (Genetech, United States) at this annual event, which is expected to attract over 150 scientists.

Event details
When: 27 and 28 September
Where: Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI), 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown
Cost: $95 full registration, free for students
Registrations are now open. Download the registration form.