Trinity's first visiting Gourlay Professor for 2026 is Professor Gerry George.
Professor George will deliver the first 2026 Gourlay Lecture on: Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Transform Society.
About the lecture
Universities have long been engines of ideas that shape society鈥攂ut how do those ideas translate into action at scale? This lecture presents a compelling framework for addressing today鈥檚 most pressing global challenges by rethinking the relationship between entrepreneurship, government, and the public good. Venture Meets Mission explores how mission鈥慸riven innovation can bridge the false divide between markets and the state. Drawing on interdisciplinary research and real鈥憌orld case studies, the lecture examines how entrepreneurs and governments can collaborate to tackle complex issues such as climate change, health, education, and inequality鈥攚hile maintaining economic viability and public trust.
The lecture will address:
Designed for students, faculty, researchers, and practitioners across disciplines, this lecture invites the university community to rethink innovation not as a choice between profit and purpose, but as a shared mission. By aligning people, purpose, and profit, Venture Meets Mission offers a hopeful, practical vision for how the next generation of leaders can help shape a more inclusive and resilient future.
Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026
Time: 6.15pm, followed by light refreshments
Venue: The Craig Auditorium, Gateway Building, 果冻视频, 100 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052
RSVP: By 5pm, Friday 19 April 2026
Tickets: Free, but bookings essential.
Enquiries: Linda Purves | events@trinity.unimelb.edu.au