Humanities researchers return to Queenstown Lakes for MindJam

A popular annual event is set to return to Queenstown Lakes this Labour Weekend.

MindJam sees a group of academics from Otago’s Te Kete Aronui/Division of Humanities, co-organised with and hosted by Queenstown’s Catalyst Trust, discuss a range of topics, tackling big issues and going off on some thought-provoking riffs.

Catalyst Trust Chair Cath Gilmour says they are delighted to be holding the event again.

“MindJam is a great opportunity to think outside the square and have some lively discussions on a wide range of topics. It is a real privilege to have some leading thinkers along to facilitate this – in a sociable, conversational atmosphere,” Cath says.

MindJam 2026 will be held at Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown, with sessions on 23, 24 and 25 October.

“It would be hard to think of a better venue, right in the middle of Arrowtown to enjoy a good coffee, lunch or walk on either side of thought-provoking conversation. What a wonderful way to spend Labour Weekend.”

“We’ve assembled a really great group for the weekend and look forward to conversations about topical issues. The speakers are passionate about their chosen subjects, and they’re looking forward to sharing ideas." – Associate Professor Grace Moore

Associate Professor Grace Moore (English) is the event Chair and has brought together an impressive range of speakers around some topical themes.

“We’ve assembled a really great group for the weekend and look forward to conversations about topical issues. The speakers are passionate about their chosen subjects, and they’re looking forward to sharing ideas.

“We will tackle a range of themes, opening with a panel discussion on how we build a better world with the Humanities, through to sessions on teaching and social justice, how feminism is responding to the pressures of social media, the insights fiction can offer into AI relationships, and the global context for our upcoming election,” Grace says.

Cath says the name MindJam stems from the event’s origins in 2017 as an extension of Queenstown Jazz Festival. With conversations modelled on an improvised musical jam session, the sessions kick off with a structured Q&A but quickly yield to audience questions and comments. It proved so popular it became an annual event, despite the Jazz Festival taking the next year off. However, Covid-19 restrictions saw the event go into a hiatus after 2019.

“We have some terrific people volunteering to get this back in action and really hope people take up this revival, so it becomes a regular annual event,” Cath says.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Humanities Professor Hugh Campbell recalls presenting at this event as a sociology researcher and welcomes it back.

“Professor Tony Ballantyne got this event going from the Otago side when he was Pro-Vice-Chancellor. I was fortunate enough to hold a session on ‘The New Politics of Farming’. It’s such a pleasure and privilege to be able to share your research with an enthusiastic audience, and I remember the good conversations it led to.

“With the University looking to connect more with our Central Otago communities it is a great opportunity to bring this kind of critical thinking and deep conversation into frame. I give a big thanks to Grace, Cath and the whole team taking part in firing up this event,” Hugh says.