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On this episode of Afraid to Ask we’re talking to AUT Culture and Society Professor Nigel Hemmington, International Operations Manager Joanne Chrystal, and Vietnamese AUT business student Quynh Nguyen about international students, and why we need their opinions, influences and perspectives to advance the society of New Zealand. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's tumultuous political climate, it can be hard to distinguish between free speech and hate speech. To clear things up, we had a chat to AUT Professor of History, Paul Moon and Professor of Law, Kris Gledhill about what we can and cannot say. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Diwali is a sacred cultural festival for many, for others it seems to just be an excuse to party. Has the significance of the holiday been lost in its commercialisation? Today on Afraid to Ask we're talking with AUT Event Management programme leader Dr Alison Booth and Balamohan Shingade from AUT’s School of Art and Design about the festival of lights and the consequences of festivalisation. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With society becoming more diverse, learning a second language could one day become a necessity. Today on Afraid to Ask, we're chatting with AUT Language and Culture Associate Professor Sharon Harvey and Senior Lecturer in Economics Dr. Rahul Sen about other languages outside of English, and the world of opportunities that can open up when you can speak more than one. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does every vote actually count? AUT Lecturer and expert in constitutional law Leonid Sirota doesn't think so, and on this episode of Afraid to Ask, we delve right into his relatively unpopular opinion when it comes to election season. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Desks or beanbags? Uniform structure or room to move freely? Today we're talking with Dr Rachel Morrison and Dr Leon Benade about modern learning environments, and whether or not they achieve their goal or simply create more problems. You can read more about Dr Rachel Morrison’s research into the dark side of open plan offices here: Get out of my face! We’re more antisocial in a shared office space https://theconversation.com/get-out-of-my-face-were-more-antisocial-in-a-shared-office-space-64734 Leon Barnade has written about open plan classroom spaces – the modern learning environment – on his blog: https://criticaleducatorblog.wordpress.com/ Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're once again tackling a touchy subject on Afraid to Ask: The gender wage gap. What is it? Why is does it exist? Does it EVEN exist? To answer our questions we talk to AUT senior lecturers Dr Katherine Ravenswood and Dr Julie Douglas. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It seems like an obvious question, and one which should have probably been answered by now, but finding a cure for cancer is not as simple as it sounds. This week we talked to AUT Professor and Chief Executive Officer of KODE Biotech Steve Henry about the disease, and why after all these years, scientists are still unable to get rid of it completely. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an age where everyone on the internet has a voice, it can be hard knowing who to believe. This week, we sat down with Greg Treadwell, AUT Senior Lecturer in Journalism, and discussed FAKE NEWS; What is it? Why does it happen? And how can we stop it? Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've asked some pretty important and controversial questions on Afraid to Ask, but today we're truly breaking new ground, as we once again talk to Adjunct Professor Sharad Paul and ask him about the hidden truths and industry secrets of the skin care industry. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disclaimer: Information in this podcast is general in nature and should not be construed, or relied on, as a recommendation to invest in a particular financial product or class of financial product. Readers should seek independent financial advice specific to their situation before making an investment decision. Visit https://sorted.org.nz/ for help with your Kiwisaver. It's the 10 year anniversary of Kiwisaver! But... What actually is Kiwisaver? Do we need it? When can I spend the money? This week on Afraid to Ask, we talk to AUT Professor of finance Bart Frijns about the scheme, and how it can help you save for retirement. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear a lot about white privilege and casual racism these days, but what does any of that even mean? Today on Afraid to Ask we're asking our most controversial question yet: Can you be racist towards white people? Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Afraid to Ask, our question comes from listener Rosie, who wants to know if humans will ever get to the stars. Will physics or biology have to change? To answer her question, we chat to Professor Sergei Gulyaev and Dr. Jordan Alexander, AUT's space experts, about worlds beyond our own, and how likely we are to ever see them. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How often should you get your moles checked? Today we're once again talking to Adjunct Professor Sharad Paul about our skin, and the dangerous reality of sun damage. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you sitting on a million dollar idea? Becoming an entrepreneur is no easy task- so we're today we're talking to talking to AUT Director of Business Relations Sarah Trotman about what it takes to start a business, how to handle success and how to handle failure. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Money Money! What would you buy if you won the Lotto? This week, we're chatting to AUT statistician Robin Hankin about big money, big numbers and small chances. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you know what the internet of things is? If you don't, fear not, because on this episode we're talking to AUT Associate Professor Dave Parry and Dr Farhaan Mirza about the concept, and the future of interconnected household appliances. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sandwich by any other shape would taste as sweet.... right? You may not realize it, but your love for certain foods may have more to do with texture or appearance than taste, so today we're talking to AUT senior lecturers and professional chefs Alan Brown and John Kelleher about the aesthetics of food.  Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For centuries, humans have searched for the secret to eternal youth, but as we learn from Adjunct Professor Sharad Paul, eternal youth has always been within your grasp. Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licensesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're asking the tough questions today on "Afraid to Ask". In honour of ANZAC day, we're talking to Professor Welby Ings about the tragic history of gay soldiers in war time. You can find out more about Professor Welby Ings' short film "Sparrow" at http://sparrowfilm.nz Let us know what you think, and don’t forget to submit your question at #askAUT Music: Go Cart - Loop Mix Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.