Newsletters
man and woman embrace at climate talks.

This year’s climate talks saw real progress – just not on fossil fuels

Jacqueline Peel, The University of Melbourne

Australia is about to ban under-16s from social media. Here’s what kids can do right now to prepare
Children looking at smartphones
Australia has dropped its bid to host the COP31 climate talks. Here’s what happened – and what’s next
storm over tropical beach and light blue sea.
What does the US Congress want with Australia’s eSafety commissioner?
A blonde woman speaks at a lectern in front of a blue backdrop
Victoria will force home sellers to reveal their reserve price. Will other states follow?
close up of a gavel held by an auctioneer
Person is yellow raincoat facing away from camera, standing on a rocky beach covered with lumps of ice under a cloudy sky.

What do we know about climate change? How do we know it? And where are we headed?

Puberty blockers: why politicians overriding doctors sets a dangerous precedent

Puberty blockers: why NZ politicians overriding doctors sets a dangerous precedent

Woman's hand holding melon, fingers inserting fleshy part

Does masturbating really help menopause symptoms? New research says yes

Here’s what Black Friday sales shopping does to your brain
Black Friday sales promo on phone and laptop
New data shows the ACT and Queensland economies are beating the rest of the nation
Inner-city housing in the suburbs of Paddington, Spring Hill and the central business district (CBD) of Brisbane
Airbrushing and exhortations: Ita Buttrose reflects on her life in media – well, some of it
Airbrushing and exhortations: Ita Buttrose reflects on her life in media – well, some of it
Nothing much comes of nothing in Belvoir’s new version of King Lear
Review
Peter Carroll as the Fool
A new study shows little kids who count on their fingers do better at maths
A school boy uses his fingers to count at a classroom desk.
Friday essay: how ASIO spied on Australia’s Greek migrants during the Cold War
Friday essay: how ASIO spied on Australia’s Greek migrants during the Cold War
Ukraine and Europe’s weakness exposed as US and Russia again negotiate behind Kyiv’s back
A Ukrainian serviceman walking in a damaged area of the frontline city of Kostyantynivka.
What’s the difference between a home birth and a free birth?
Woman holds her newborn

COP30 climate summit

Chris Bowen stands with a microphone in front of a group of people at a conference session in Brazil.

Turkey will host COP31, Australia will play a role. So where does that leave the Pacific?

Australia cedes COP31 but negotiates role for Chris Bowen and Pacific countries
A man in a suit and glasses speaks at a grey lectern.
How the rich world is fortifying itself against climate migration
Masked police lined up
Behind every COP is a global data project that predicts Earth’s future. Here’s how it works
A clear glass ball on green grass.
The fast-fix for global warming that the UN climate summit can’t ignore
a row of cows
COP30: Australia's role
What to expect at this year's climate summit
More COP30

More top stories

England's Ben Stokes plays an aggressive stroke against Australia.

The ‘Bazball’ game style has revolutionised English cricket. Australia should be nervous

Grattan on Friday: Combatting the neo-Nazis is a ‘wicked problem’ for governments

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Grattan on Friday: Combatting the neo-Nazis is a ‘wicked problem’ for governments
Engineered microbes could tackle climate change – if we ensure it’s done safely
cutaway of carrots growing in rich soil.
Cinema’s most notorious film: Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Salò turns 50
A young man
Did Plunket founder Truby King really believe in eugenics? History isn’t that simple
Did Plunket founder Truby King really believe in eugenics? History isn’t that simple
Brazil is trying to stop fossil fuel interests derailing COP30 with one simple measure
large demonstration in Brazil with a giant globe.
View from The Hill: Former Liberal senator accuses ‘the boys’ of using women to undermine Sussan Ley
View from The Hill: Former Liberal senator accuses ‘the boys’ of using women to undermine Sussan Ley
As AI leader Nvidia posts record results, Warren Buffett’s made a surprise bet on Google
Warren Buffett wearing in a suit and tie, talking on stage.
Why Israeli soldiers and their leaders may be increasingly at risk of arrest overseas
Why Israeli soldiers and their leaders may be increasingly at risk of arrest overseas
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny at a press conference

Will social workers in schools stop young people committing violent crimes?

WeChat is now a frontline policing tool in China. Here’s what my research found
A mobile phone in front of an icon with two white speech bubbles resembling faces.
Roblox set to start checking people’s ages. But it will need to do more to keep kids safe
A young boy playing a game on a computer pad.
Richard Lewer’s I Only Talk to God When I Want Something: a potent exploration of faith and suffering
An artist worked on a painting in a studio, with paint supplies scattered on a table at the fore, and dark paneled paintings along the back.
Is the UK headed for a new prime minister?
Is the UK headed for a new prime minister?
The Matildas keep soaring but the league, and players, beneath them are being left behind
Naomi Thomas-Chinnama of the Glory clears the ball during an A-League Women’s match against the Brisbane Roar.
Real wages have grown – just – over the past year. But they’re still down near 2011 levels
Office workers are seen walking outside in Sydney
Exercising in mid and later life can reduce dementia risk – new study
Smiling older woman stretches in a gym.
Australia’s algal bloom catastrophe has left more than 87,000 animals dead. What will happen this summer?
Australia’s algal bloom catastrophe has left more than 87,000 animals dead. What will happen this summer?
More news + analysis

Subscribe for free, independent, evidence-based news in your inbox

Try our newsletter

New research

Auditory illusions: new research discovers how our ears play tricks on us
An abstract image of a sound wave
The ultra-processed foods problem is driven by commercial interests, not individual weakness. Here’s how to fix it
Snacks are placed on a shelf in a store.
Violent extremists wield words as weapons. New study reveals 6 tactics they use
A composite image of two men with the words traitors and contempt over their eyes
Perfectly preserved rock art site reveals 1,700 years of Aboriginal string craft
People sitting around a table in the shade sorting archaeological materials, in front of the sandstone rock shelter site that the materials have been excavated from.
More new research

Federal politics

Hospitals are under pressure. These changes could save $1.2 billion a year – and fund 160,000 extra hospital visits
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talks to clinical hospital staff
One Nation’s surge continues in Redbridge poll, but Labor dominant
Pauline Hanson, wrapped in an Australian flag, smiles at a protest
Yes, migration to Australia is up. But new figures show most migrants do not become citizens
Yes, migration to Australia is up. But new figures show most migrants do not become citizens
Which policies would face the chopping block under the Coalition’s retreat from net zero?
car tailpipe putting out smoke.
More Federal politics

World

Why MAGA is so concerned with Epstein − and why the files are unlikely to dent loyalty to Trump
MAGA red hats are lined up on a cloth-covered table.
NZ’s earliest climate change debate: the 150-year-old feud over glacial retreat
Haast’s 1866 watercolour painting of the Lyell Glacier.
Comedians and kings: is Donald Trump reviving the ancient crime of lèse-majesté?
Comedians and kings: is Donald Trump reviving the ancient crime of lèse-majesté?
Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces a pivotal UN Security Council vote. Can it get across the line?
Trump’s Gaza peace plan faces a pivotal UN Security Council vote. Can it get across the line?
More world

Climate

Two birds, one stone? Green steel could tackle Australia’s housing crisis and cut emissions
steel frame in house under construction
EV ‘charging deserts’ in regional Australia are slowing the shift to clean transport
A charging cable attached to a silver car.
How the US cut climate-changing emissions while its economy more than doubled
A truck kicks up dust on a dirt road running through farm fields with wind turbines.
Where’s nature positive? Australia must ensure environment reforms work to restore what’s been lost
view of forest, trees and shrubs.
More climate

Sport

What do AFL recruiters actually look for in potential draftees?
Players from the 2024 AFL draft celebrate after being drafted.
Australia’s reluctance to rest its fast bowlers could prove disastrous during the Ashes
Pat Cummins speaks with Josh Hazlewood during a Test match for Australia.
The next great performance booster for athletes? Sleep
English middle-distance runner Keely Hodgkinson tries to get some sleep in a pod during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The future of rugby league in Australia, NZ and the Pacific is here – and it’s brown
The future of rugby league in Australia, NZ and the Pacific is here – and it’s brown
More sport

Podcasts

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Murray Watt on the compromises to pass new environmental laws before Christmas
A man squatting beside dead sea life on a beach
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Sam Rae on big changes to aged care
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Sam Rae on big changes to aged care
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Abbott on Australia’s past and the opposition’s future
Listen
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tony Abbott on Australia’s past and the opposition’s future
Politics with Michelle Grattan: pollster Tony Barry on why the Coalition can’t risk ‘lurching to the right’
Listen
Politics with Michelle Grattan: pollster Tony Barry on why the Coalition can’t risk ‘lurching to the right’
All episodes of Politics with Michelle Grattan
All episodes of The Conversation Weekly

Reviews

Does Nick Cave’s Death of Bunny Munro critique misogyny – or does it hate women?
Does Nick Cave’s Death of Bunny Munro critique misogyny – or does it hate women?
Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi series Plur1bus taps into our greatest fears about AI
A women with a phone held up to her ear has a fearful expression on her face.
Heat, terror and resistance: Henry Reynolds’ bold, new book takes a top-end view of Australian history
Heat, terror and resistance: Henry Reynolds’ bold, new book takes a top-end view of Australian history
‘CEO is my blood type’: a chilling new novel nails narcissistic tech culture
‘CEO is my blood type’: a chilling new novel nails narcissistic tech culture

Your say

Composite image of universities, Nationals' Sussan Ley and Victoria's treaty signing.

Your say: week beginning November 17

Your say: week beginning November 10
Composite of images: man talks to doctor about pain, retail worker in busy store.
Your say: week beginning November 3
Your say: week beginning November 3
Your say: week beginning October 27
Your say: week beginning October 27

Are you an academic expert who wants to share your knowledge?

Pitch an article

Most read this week

1.
Jane Austen was a satirist – why isn’t she treated like one?

Adam J Smith, York St John University

Jane Austen was a satirist – why isn’t she treated like one?
2.
The Liberals dropped net zero. Will it make any difference to Australia’s climate response?

Anna Malos, Monash University

The Liberals dropped net zero. Will it make any difference to Australia’s climate response?
3.
LA is on fire. How will Australia cope when bushfires hit Sydney, Melbourne or another major city?

David Bowman, University of Tasmania

LA is on fire. How will Australia cope when bushfires hit Sydney, Melbourne or another major city?
4.
Victoria’s groundbreaking treaty could reshape Australia’s relationship with First Peoples

Harry Hobbs, UNSW Sydney

Victoria’s groundbreaking treaty could reshape Australia’s relationship with First Peoples
5.
How do ‘AI detection’ tools actually work? And are they effective?

T.J. Thomson, RMIT University; Aaron J. Snoswell, Queensland University of Technology, and James Meese, RMIT University

How do ‘AI detection’ tools actually work? And are they effective?
6.
Asbestos has been found in children’s coloured sand. What’s the risk to kids?

Brian Oliver, University of Technology Sydney

Asbestos has been found in children’s coloured sand. What’s the risk to kids?

Newsletters

Subscribe to The Conversation Daily
Thumbnail
Subscribe to Science newsletter
Stars
Subscribe to NZ Weekly
Mountain
Subscribe to Books & Ideas Weekly
Lightbulb

Jobs Board

Lecturer in Paramedicine
Applications close 21 December 2025
Hobart TAS, Australia
Associate Lecturer, Social Work
Applications close 20 December 2025
Wollongong NSW, Australia
Lecturer, Communication Design
Applications close 19 December 2025
Hawthorn VIC, Australia
Leading Research Centre Coordinator
Applications close 18 December 2025
Melbourne CBD, Melbourne, Australia
More jobs

Events

More events