Meet the Author - Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh will be in conversation with Anna -Maria Arabia on his new book The Shortest History of Innovation.

From the wheel to gene editing, new ideas shape our world. In this dazzling, surprising and always entertaining book, bestselling author Andrew Leigh tells the story of innovation. Innovation shapes almost every corner of our lives, yet we rarely pause to notice it. Someone had to invent nails and wheelbarrows; alphabets and books; glass windows and windscreen wipers; tin cans and synthetic dyes. From tools and technologies to fresh approaches in art and architecture, innovation surrounds us.

Leigh shows that three forces drive innovation: tinkering, teams and trade. He examines hotbeds of creativity, the forces that suppress them, and the surprising ways ideas travel across borders and disciplines. The result is a lively, compact look at the engines powering progress. A brilliant follow-up to his international bestseller The Shortest History of Economics.

Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT He holds a PhD from Harvard University and is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. Before being elected in 2010, he was a professor of economics at the Australian National University. His books include The ShortestHistory of Economics, The Luck of Politics, Battlers and Billionaires and Randomistas.

Anna-Maria Arabia OAMis Chief Executive at the Australian Academy of Science, where she provides policy advice to the highest levels of government in Australia and contributes to global policy fora, In 2025, Anna-Maria was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to science, particularly through organisational leadership roles. She has also received the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy for her constant commitment to promoting the role of science in society.

The vote of thanks will be given by Professor Tim Senden, Pro -Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure and Entities) ANU.

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event.