The fast-tracking of Brisbane’s Olympic infrastructure plans could backfire Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games nearly four years ago under a reformed host selection process. The Conversation · May 27, 2025
The drought is back – we need a new way to help farmers survive tough times Australia in 2025 is living up to Dorothy McKellar’s poetic vision of a country stricken by “drought and flooding rains”. The Conversation · May 26, 2025
Urban rewilding has brought back beavers, hornbills and platypuses to city parks – and that’s just the start By 2050, almost 70% of the world’s population will live in cities – 20% more than today. As cities expand, the natural world around them contracts. Species decline faster in and around cities than almost anywhere else. But what if cities could become part of the solution — places to… The Conversation · May 25, 2025
Antarctica has its own ‘shield’ against warm water – but this could now be under threat A little-known ocean current surrounds Antarctica, shielding it from warm water further north. But our new research shows Antarctica’s melting ice is disrupting this current, putting the continent’s last line of defence at risk. The Conversation · May 23, 2025
Half the remaining habitat of Australia’s most at-risk species is outside protected areas More and more Australian species are being listed as critically endangered – the final stage before extinction in the wild. Hundreds of species of plants and animals are now at this point. The Conversation · May 23, 2025
‘Outdated and irrelevant’: what do young Australians think of their schooling? Australia’s school system – and whether it is doing its job – is often under the microscope from politicians, experts and parents. The Conversation · May 20, 2025
With a new minister for early childhood education, what can the federal government do to make centres safer? This week, more reports emerged of horrific abuse of children at childcare centres. An ABC investigation reported young children had suffered burns and been verbally abused. In another case, a baby was repeatedly slapped by an early childhood educator. The Conversation · May 16, 2025
Antarctica has a huge, completely hidden mountain range. New data reveals its birth over 500 million years ago Have you ever imagined what Antarctica looks like beneath its thick blanket of ice? Hidden below are rugged mountains, valleys, hills and plains. The Conversation · May 12, 2025
Cheap overseas, ruinous in Australia: here’s how to make double-glazed windows the norm In Europe, double-glazed windows are standard. But in Australia, these energy-saving windows are remarkably uncommon. The Conversation · May 6, 2025
Why Zelensky – not Trump – may have ‘won’ the US-Ukraine minerals deal Last week, the Trump administration signed a deal with Ukraine that gives it privileged access to Ukraine’s natural resources. The Conversation · May 6, 2025
A rubbish election: voting in Australia produces mountains of waste - but there’s a better way More than 18 million Australians voted on Saturday, after walking past countless corflutes, reading campaign flyers and reviewing how-to-vote cards. The Conversation · May 5, 2025
Fake news and the election campaign – how worried should voters be? The spread of electoral misinformation and disinformation is undermining democracies around the world. The Conversation · May 2, 2025
Explainer: what mental health support do refugees and asylum seekers get in Australia? When Australia signed the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, it committed to providing protection to people who have fled war, persecution and human rights violations. The Conversation · May 1, 2025
Are side hustles really a way to escape the rat race, or just passion projects for a privileged few? Is a “side hustle” really the only thing separating you from the life you desire? Listening to some influencers on social media could certainly have you thinking so. The Conversation · Apr 30, 2025
The Conversation · Apr 29, 2025 ‘Do something about it before it gets worse’: young people want government action on gambling reform Do something about it before it gets worse.
The Conversation · Apr 28, 2025 What political ads are Australians seeing online? Astroturfing, fake grassroots groups, and outright falsehoods In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian federal election, political advertising is seemingly everywhere.
The Conversation · Apr 27, 2025 Australia once had ‘immigration amnesties’ to grant legal status to undocumented people. Could we again? The year is 1972. The Whitlam Labor government has just been swept into power and major changes to Australia’s immigration system are underway. Many people remember this time for the formal end of the racist White Australia Policy.
The Conversation · Apr 24, 2025 Election meme hits and duds – we’ve graded some of the best (and worst) of the campaign so far As Australia begins voting in the federal election, we’re awash with political messages.
The Conversation · Apr 23, 2025 The gambling industry has women in its sights. Why aren’t policymakers paying attention? Whatever the code, whatever the season, Australian sports fans are bombarded with gambling ads.
The Conversation · Apr 22, 2025 What would change your mind about climate change? We asked 5,000 Australians – here’s what they told us Australia just sweltered through one of its hottest summers on record, and heat has pushed well into autumn. Once-in-a-generation floods are now striking with alarming regularity. As disasters escalate, insurers are warning some properties may soon be uninsurable. Yet, despite these escalating disasters — and a federal election looming —…
The Conversation · Apr 15, 2025 ‘De-extinction’ of dire wolves promotes false hope: technology can’t undo extinction Over the past week, the media have been inundated with news of the “de-extinction” of the dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) – a species that went extinct about 13,000 years ago.
The Conversation · Apr 14, 2025 Amid the election promises, what would actually help ‘fix’ the housing crisis? Here are 5 ideas As the election campaign rolls on, housing has been, unsurprisingly, a major campaign focus. We’ve seen a series of housing policy announcements from across the political spectrum, including duelling announcements from the major parties in recent days.
The Conversation · Apr 14, 2025 The Family Court could better protect Indigenous women and children, but there are barriers in the way The family law system is crucial for protecting women and children nationwide. With its combination of judicial oversight, counselling and alternative dispute resolution, the family court can offer meaningful support to parents in complex situations. But First Nations families may be missing out.
Tom’s Hardware · Apr 11, 2025 Researchers make breakthrough in cleaning up the 'forever chemicals' used in chip manufacturing Monash University has developed a water filter to catch PFAS used in chip manufacturing and other industries. The chip industry has been lobbying for years against any progress on legislating PFAS-use.
The Conversation · Apr 11, 2025 Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages Languages are windows into the worlds of the people who speak them – reflecting what they value and experience daily.