The Conversation: In-depth analysis, research, news and ideas from leading academics and researchers.

Egyptian players celebrate

Egyptian players celebrate

The Pharaohs rule in Dallas as the Socceroos are knocked out

Is your child devastated the Socceroos lost? Here’s how to help

A young boy wearing a yellow jumper covers his mouth with his hand in disappointment while a man behind covers his own mouth in surprise.

A young boy wearing a yellow jumper covers his mouth with his hand in disappointment while a man behind covers his own mouth in surprise.

A suspected bird flu case has now been found in NSW. Here’s what that means

A large seabird resting on the ocean's surface.

A large seabird resting on the ocean's surface.

After 250 years of American independence, what do Australians think about the US?

An Australian flag next to a US flag on an Edwardian building.

An Australian flag next to a US flag on an Edwardian building.

The US is turning 250 – and Trump is making it all about him

US President Donald Trump dances after speaking during the kick-off celebration for the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall in Washington, DC, June 24, 2026. The "Great American State Fair" will be held from June 25 to July 10, 2026, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence.

US President Donald Trump dances after speaking during the kick-off celebration for the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall in Washington, DC, June 24, 2026. The "Great American State Fair" will be held from June 25 to July 10, 2026, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence.

Protesters in Los Angeles gather ahead of an Iran vs. New Zealand World Cup game.

Protesters in Los Angeles gather ahead of an Iran vs. New Zealand World Cup game.

With the World Cup in full swing, why have the geopolitical criticisms quietened?

large red sun setting over grey ocean.

large red sun setting over grey ocean.

The world’s oceans are the hottest on record for June – and El Niño is set to turn up the heat even more

We took a self-driving car on the road for 100 days to see how it handled itself – these are the mistakes it kept making

Trump has made more than $1 billion from crypto in a year. How?

A man in a suit tossing a gold coin in the air.

A man in a suit tossing a gold coin in the air.

Blind boxes are a game of chance. Here’s how to keep kids from getting hooked

A pile of blind boxes.

A pile of blind boxes.

Why Antarctica froze millions of years before the Arctic – new research

Antarctic ice meets the rocky coastline.

Antarctic ice meets the rocky coastline.

Editor's picks

Could this asteroid be a piece of the Moon? A Chinese spacecraft is about to find out

Can tighter rules on short-stay rentals help the long-term market?

A sign that says welcome to Byron Bay

A sign that says welcome to Byron Bay

Australian musicians hate AI using their songs, but have little legal protection

Kylie performs on stage.

Kylie performs on stage.

What makes a star a star? A strange ‘in-between’ celestial object is testing astronomers’ boundaries

An illustration showing a brown dwarf as brown and red sphere floating in space

An illustration showing a brown dwarf as brown and red sphere floating in space

World Cup

How gambling companies use the grey area of sponsorship and ads to reach World Cup viewers

Socceroos player Aziz Behich during a World Cup match with a SportsBet app in the background

Socceroos player Aziz Behich during a World Cup match with a SportsBet app in the background

Messi is old, short and slow. How is he still dominating at the World Cup?

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Austria.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Austria.

Can science decide penalties? How to win soccer’s most brutal test

Robbie S Wilson and The Conversation Digital Storytelling Team

penalty shot visualisation graphic

penalty shot visualisation graphic

The World Cup enters its next stage after witch doctors, surprises and emergency beer deliveries

Canada's Stephen Eustaquio celebrates scoring the winning goal against South Africa.

Canada's Stephen Eustaquio celebrates scoring the winning goal against South Africa.

Population panic series

Australia’s migration system lacks something crucial: a plan

A map of Australia filled with people moving with Angus Taylor and Anthony Albanese in front of it

A map of Australia filled with people moving with Angus Taylor and Anthony Albanese in front of it

Migration is dropping, but public concern is climbing. Why?

Pauline Hanson in front of two photos of protests, one in favour of immigration and one against

Pauline Hanson in front of two photos of protests, one in favour of immigration and one against

How does Australia’s migration system actually work? 5 common myths busted

A map of Australia with an open door and a line of people walking through it

A map of Australia with an open door and a line of people walking through it

Australia was built on migration, but it’s long been a love-hate relationship

An Australian flag made up of a collage of photos of migrants

An Australian flag made up of a collage of photos of migrants

Read the whole series

More top stories

A woman in a purple blazer looks past the camera

A woman in a purple blazer looks past the camera

Deeming delays de-selection move, as Hanson declares One Nation doesn’t want her

What is mild cognitive impairment? And does it always lead to dementia?

Elderly woman kissing cheek of elderly man, outside

Elderly woman kissing cheek of elderly man, outside

Grattan on Friday: Albanese wants Labor’s national conference to ‘showcase’ the party – but not its AUKUS division

If we force online platforms to control harmful content, where does that leave sex ed?

Friday essay: how the Murdoch media’s loyalty to Israel births hypocrisy, attacks and ‘failed journalism’

A woman and an older man, against the backdrop of war in Gaza

A woman and an older man, against the backdrop of war in Gaza

Who has access to my bank details? What protections are in place to prevent misuse?

Close up of hands using a laptop

Close up of hands using a laptop

Elon Musk is remaking the world, like Henry Ford before him – but more dangerously

Composite image: Elon Musk and the moon behind him

Composite image: Elon Musk and the moon behind him

‘Not fair and honest’: KPMG and other audit firms finally face a reckoning – and a potential break-up

The four logos of PwC, KPMG, EY and Deloitte from the side of four buildings

The four logos of PwC, KPMG, EY and Deloitte from the side of four buildings

We can’t entirely blame COVID vaccine mandates for lower vaccination rates today. It’s not that simple

Protester holding banner during a 'Freedom Rally' in Melbourne, 2022

Protester holding banner during a 'Freedom Rally' in Melbourne, 2022

A man looks out an apartment window

A man looks out an apartment window

The National Rental Affordability Scheme has ended. What’s next for those who relied on it?

Sea turtles diving through the eye of the storm help develop better cyclone forecasts

A turtle with a sensor on its back walks into the ocean.

A turtle with a sensor on its back walks into the ocean.

How did it feel to be an American colonist in 1776? Probably itchy, achy and slightly nauseated

illustration of people in colonial garb with muskets

illustration of people in colonial garb with muskets

The school holidays don’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s how to spend them well

A mother and daughter enjoying time together shopping in a vibrant supermarket aisle.

A mother and daughter enjoying time together shopping in a vibrant supermarket aisle.

Four great dishes to cook with kids these winter school holidays

Grandparents teaching grandchildren to cook in a modern kitchen, sharing family time and culinary skills.

Grandparents teaching grandchildren to cook in a modern kitchen, sharing family time and culinary skills.

How much do friends influence teens’ mental health? What a new study can (and can’t) tell us

Teens' feet hanging as they sit on a wall.

Teens' feet hanging as they sit on a wall.

Australia shouldn’t try to build its own frontier AI. Here’s why

Digital illustration of a hand hovering over a glowing screen.

Digital illustration of a hand hovering over a glowing screen.

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Julian Leeser on fighting an ‘explosion’ of hate in Australia

Workplace depression is common. Managers can make it worse, or better

Tired employees in a modern office setting

Tired employees in a modern office setting

New Zealand's parliament building

New Zealand's parliament building

NZ wants to end climate lawsuits. How does that sit with its international commitments?

View from The Hill: Even when they’re doing quite well, Liberals find a way to put their foot in it

Potential home buyers attend a property auction

Potential home buyers attend a property auction

Auction clearance rates are sliding. Here’s what can happen when a home doesn’t sell

Getting Murdoched is a fascinating study of the Murdoch media’s bullying tactics

Darwin residents want answers on toxic gas emissions. The science shows their concerns are warranted

An LNG tanker off the coast of Darwin.

An LNG tanker off the coast of Darwin.

Labor gains in three further polls; Trump’s ratings recover slightly

Anthony Albanese sits in parliament and smiles

Anthony Albanese sits in parliament and smiles

From pureed meals to fresh greens: how space food is advancing to keep astronauts healthy

Tubes with donuts, wheat and corn pouring out into an astronaut's open helmet

Tubes with donuts, wheat and corn pouring out into an astronaut's open helmet

New NZ series Head Girl veers between hilarity and dread

Production image: a young woman in a club.

Production image: a young woman in a club.

The hidden risks of grey-market peptides – why women face greater danger

Phials of peptide drugs surrounded by syringes.

Phials of peptide drugs surrounded by syringes.

Cystic fibrosis doesn’t just affect the lungs. It’s a gut disease too

Young woman lying on sofa, hands over stomach

Young woman lying on sofa, hands over stomach

The joy of pests: study reveals why rat catchers are so happy in their work

A rat in a pan with cutery.

A rat in a pan with cutery.

More news + analysis

Start your day with evidence-based news.

Get our free daily newsletter

New research

Prickly starfish and urchins are decimating Australia’s reefs. But we could find ways to protect them

A crown-of-thorns starfish on coral (left image) and a long-spined sea urchin in the foreground with kelp in the background (right image).

A crown-of-thorns starfish on coral (left image) and a long-spined sea urchin in the foreground with kelp in the background (right image).

Why does our mind wander? New study taps into the tricks of staying on task

Sunlit clouds against a blue sky

Sunlit clouds against a blue sky

A cataclysmic collision in space provides new clues on astronomy’s biggest stalemate

New study of 2 million online posts shows persistent anti-Jew and anti-Muslim hate in Australia

A man in a white top stands behind a table full of screens with static on them

A man in a white top stands behind a table full of screens with static on them

More new research

Life

Running on a treadmill is easier than running outside. Does that matter?

Man runs alongside harbour.

Man runs alongside harbour.

AI can be a personal trainer in your pocket – but is it safe?

A man in running sneakers and attire holds their phone while sitting down.

A man in running sneakers and attire holds their phone while sitting down.

‘I hate you!’: what little kids really mean when they say this

A small child in a coloured raincoat stands in a forest clearing and yells.

A small child in a coloured raincoat stands in a forest clearing and yells.

Isolation as a form of discipline: how should schools manage poor student behaviour?

A side view of a teenage boy who is looking forlorn and sad after being sent out of the classroom. He has his arms folded and is looking down.

A side view of a teenage boy who is looking forlorn and sad after being sent out of the classroom. He has his arms folded and is looking down.

Future of space

From interplanetary spaceships to lunar reactors, our future in space looks nuclear-powered

A satellite with nuclear cooling towers and a nuclear hazard symbol

A satellite with nuclear cooling towers and a nuclear hazard symbol

13,000 tonnes of space junk clutters Earth orbit. Here’s how it could be cleaned up

A bin dropping junk and a vacuum cleaning it up in space

A bin dropping junk and a vacuum cleaning it up in space

The US is leading the new space race – but other countries are close behind

Rocket launches from the US, India and China with flags in the background

Rocket launches from the US, India and China with flags in the background

Today’s space race could turn fatal if we don’t agree on new rules

An astronaut with the earth, moon, missiles and a space shuttle in the background

An astronaut with the earth, moon, missiles and a space shuttle in the background

Read the full series

Arts and reviews

Unruly seniors, Dallas cheerleaders and Russell Crowe as an MMA trainer: what we’re streaming this July

At Primavera 2026, artists do not exhibit the archive – they remake it

Visitors look at various sized screens in a gallery.

Visitors look at various sized screens in a gallery.

Doctor Who is on its most uneven footing in 20 years: what’s next for the beloved series?

Production image: The Doctor and his assistant Belinda Chandra run away from a building.

Production image: The Doctor and his assistant Belinda Chandra run away from a building.

The true danger of AI may lie in its reflection of us, warns Anna Goldsworthy

World

International efforts to end North Korea’s nuclear weapons program have failed. Here’s what comes next

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C-R) as he inspects a nuclear materials production factory at an undisclosed location in North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C-R) as he inspects a nuclear materials production factory at an undisclosed location in North Korea

In rebuke to Trump, Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship

A federal building with white columns appears behind tree branches.

A federal building with white columns appears behind tree branches.

A UN report details the ‘overwhelming’ scale of children killed in Gaza. It raises grave legal questions

Two small boys use a hose to fill a plastic bottle up with water

Two small boys use a hose to fill a plastic bottle up with water

Andy Burnham’s meteoric rise tells us much about how politics and power are changing

Andy Burham is sworn in as an MP in the UK parliament.

Andy Burham is sworn in as an MP in the UK parliament.

Federal politics

View from The Hill: Liberals now wedged in tunnel, staring at a sinkhole

The government is ‘doubling down’ on its social media ban. But bigger penalties for platforms aren’t enough

A young person sitting on the floor, looking at their phone.

A young person sitting on the floor, looking at their phone.

What is migration for? How national needs wrestle with a basic human desire

A composite image of a silhouette of a family at an airport

A composite image of a silhouette of a family at an airport

Two new polls show drop in support for One Nation and the Coalition

Angus Taylor scratching his forehead in parliament

Angus Taylor scratching his forehead in parliament

More federal politics

New Zealand

Climate change will raise the risk of severe heatwaves. NZ homes aren’t ready

Lived experience is often dismissed – but we should recognise it as a form of expertise

People walking past each other, with some not clearly visible

People walking past each other, with some not clearly visible

Homelessness has been framed as a housing problem in NZ. The reality is more complex

Distance can no longer be NZ’s defence strategy. Could Japan be part of the answer?

More New Zealand

Climate

Could this be Australia’s warmest winter ever?

A pic of a ski run shows sparse snow and lots of clear ground.

A pic of a ski run shows sparse snow and lots of clear ground.

By 2050, many Sydney apartments built to today’s standards could be too hot for weeks at a time

A tall apartment block.

A tall apartment block.

Europe is battling a record-breaking heatwave. What’s making it so severe?

A man cools off in a fountain during a hot day in Madrid, Spain.

A man cools off in a fountain during a hot day in Madrid, Spain.

Heat is destroying Australia’s underwater forests. Seaweed biobanks could help save them

A scuba diver transplanting seaweed

A scuba diver transplanting seaweed

Podcasts

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jenny McAllister on ‘confronting but necessary’ NDIS reforms

How high can a volcano throw lava up in the air?

A volcano erupting

A volcano erupting

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jonno Duniam on guilt and relief about quitting politics

Politics with Michelle Grattan: pollster Simon Welsh on One Nation’s rise and Victoria’s ‘very messy’ election

Fists and flags in the air at a One Nation election night party after the Farrer by-election

Fists and flags in the air at a One Nation election night party after the Farrer by-election

All episodes of Politics with Michelle Grattan

All episodes of The Conversation Weekly

Your say

Your say: week beginning June 29

Your say: week beginning June 22

Your say: week beginning June 15

Your say: week beginning June 8

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

Pitch an article

Most read this week

Newsletters

Subscribe to The Conversation Daily

Subscribe to Science newsletter

Stars

Stars

Subscribe to NZ Weekly

Mountain

Mountain

Subscribe to Books & Ideas Weekly

Lightbulb

Lightbulb

Events, Courses & Jobs

CSIRO ON Prime 20 Applicant Round - Join our next intake!

CSIRO

Job: Associate Dean (Indigenous Strategy and Services), University of Sydney Business School

University of Sydney

Job: National Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner

Attorney General's Department

The Jungle and the Sea

Belvoir St Theatre

More events, courses & jobs