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

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Do you speak cat? Take this quiz to find out

Julia Henning, University of Adelaide

Close-up of a tabby cat receiving pats on the face.

Close-up of a tabby cat receiving pats on the face.

Do cats have ‘friends’, or do they always vie for territory? Animal experts weigh in

Deanna Tepper, La Trobe University; Jessica Dawson, La Trobe University, and Joanna Shnookal, La Trobe University

Close-up of a ginger cat with green eyes.

Close-up of a ginger cat with green eyes.

Are cats good for our health?

Susan Hazel, University of Adelaide

A hand scratches the chin of a calico cat looking blissful.

A hand scratches the chin of a calico cat looking blissful.

TikTok says orange cats are ‘dumb’, and tortoiseshell cats have ‘an attitude’. But how true is that?

Susan Hazel, University of Adelaide and Julia Henning, University of Adelaide

An orange cat attempts to use its one remaining brain cell.

An orange cat attempts to use its one remaining brain cell.

View from The Hill: Angus Taylor circles Ley, as Liberals watch polling and negotiations with Nats

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers reacts during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers reacts during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House

Is federal government spending really to blame for higher inflation? It’s not clear cut

Bunnings’ backyard pods won’t fix the housing crisis, but they signal a shift

A collage with a Bunnings Elsewhere Pod with tools and masking tape on top

A collage with a Bunnings Elsewhere Pod with tools and masking tape on top

With international law at a ‘breaking point’, a tiny country goes after Myanmar’s junta on its own

No diagnoses and no gap fees for physios and speechies. What else do we know about Thriving Kids?

Two kids pull blocks out of drawers.

Two kids pull blocks out of drawers.

Why comparisons between AI and human intelligence miss the point

Pixelated images of people's faces in a colourful background

Pixelated images of people's faces in a colourful background

a man's legs and lower torso, as he caries a plastic bag with a phone in it and guns on his holster

a man's legs and lower torso, as he caries a plastic bag with a phone in it and guns on his holster

Friday essay: I grew up fearing Queensland cops. Then I hung out with 17 Gold Coast detectives

If Australia and Indonesia agreed to end new thermal coal mines, it could drive the green transition.

coal port, view of coal carrier, loader and ocean.

coal port, view of coal carrier, loader and ocean.

Taxi Driver at 50: Martin Scorsese’s film remains a troubling reflection of our times

Movie still: De Niro in a Taxi

Movie still: De Niro in a Taxi

Publishing tips, poetry and witty takes on classics: 6 of the best Australian literary podcasts

blue headphones on a shelf of books, spine out

blue headphones on a shelf of books, spine out

WHO membership doesn’t threaten NZ’s sovereignty – walking away from it would

Foreign Minister Winston Peters

Foreign Minister Winston Peters

Can a bird be an illegal immigrant? How the White Australia era influenced attitudes to the bulbul

An image of the bulbul bird, with racist newspaper cutting behind it.

An image of the bulbul bird, with racist newspaper cutting behind it.

Grattan on Friday: Jim Chalmers’ ticker is about to be tested as he tacks towards the May budget

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

A new comet was just discovered. Will it be visible in broad daylight?

Indonesia’s leader is going after critics with a vengeance. This could complicate relations with Australia

Epstein files

Victims have told us the worst of Epstein’s crimes for decades – and they are still being ignored

Giuffre holds a photo of herself as a teen

Giuffre holds a photo of herself as a teen

Epstein files: who decides what information is released to the public?

A stock photo montage of redacted documents.

A stock photo montage of redacted documents.

Could Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor be compelled to testify in US Epstein investigation?

The British public has lost faith in politics – the Peter Mandelson scandal must be a wake-up call for Keir Starmer

Peter Mandelson giving a speech

Peter Mandelson giving a speech

ICE

ICE pullback in Minneapolis shows the limits of Donald Trump’s scare tactics

A sea of protesters walk on a city street.

A sea of protesters walk on a city street.

A ‘domestic terrorism’ label that comes before the facts makes it a useless designation

A woman speaks in front of a podium as an image of a gun appears on a video screen behind her.

A woman speaks in front of a podium as an image of a gun appears on a video screen behind her.

Why corporate America is staying quiet as federal immigration agents show up at its doors

A protester holds a sign.

A protester holds a sign.

ICE is testing whether the Constitution can survive

A man in pain being handled by federal immigration agents.

A man in pain being handled by federal immigration agents.

More top stories

A composite image of Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson against a yellow backdrop

A composite image of Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson against a yellow backdrop

Can One Nation turn its polling hype into seats in parliament? History shows it will struggle

With a shortage of aged-care beds, discharging patients stranded in hospital is harder than it sounds

Older woman reads in hospital bed

Older woman reads in hospital bed

More GPs will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD – and experts say it’s a positive step

Mother and young daughter seeing male GP

Mother and young daughter seeing male GP

Who is Bad Bunny? Why the biggest music star in the world sings in Puerto Rican Spanish

Bad Bunny performs on stage.

Bad Bunny performs on stage.

Big tech companies are still failing to tackle child abuse material online

Four children standing on dirt during daytime.

Four children standing on dirt during daytime.

Aerial photo of some buildings in a flat, scrubby landscape

Aerial photo of some buildings in a flat, scrubby landscape

In the Australian outback, we’re listening for nuclear tests – and what we hear matters more than ever

An aerial photograph of a single kayak floating in a clear green body of water

An aerial photograph of a single kayak floating in a clear green body of water

One family’s ocean paddle almost ended in tragedy. It reminds us coastal weather is notoriously changeable

What is the future of Australia’s embattled writers festivals?

What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes

A woman selects fruit on display at Queen Victoria maret in Melbourne, with a special sign in the foreground

A woman selects fruit on display at Queen Victoria maret in Melbourne, with a special sign in the foreground

Digital ghosts: are AI replicas of the dead an innovative medical tool or an ethical nightmare?

This image features a pixelated selfie featuring an individual with long brown hair and a fringe. The person has their tongue out and is smiling

This image features a pixelated selfie featuring an individual with long brown hair and a fringe. The person has their tongue out and is smiling

Why cheaper power alone isn’t enough to end energy poverty in summer

Power lines silhouetted against a sunset

Power lines silhouetted against a sunset

wind turbine at sunrise.

wind turbine at sunrise.

Renewables over 50%, wholesale prices down – is the energy transition… succeeding?

School breaks make up more than an hour of the day. Should they be considered part of learning?

Two boys run in a school playground, playing tips

Two boys run in a school playground, playing tips

Victoria’s mountain ash forests naturally thin their trees. So why do it with machines?

The long tall trunks of mountain ash stand in a forest.

The long tall trunks of mountain ash stand in a forest.

Trump wants Ukraine to give up the Donbas in return for security guarantees. It could be fatal for Kyiv

A missile launcher laucnhes a rocket.

A missile launcher laucnhes a rocket.

Firefighters face repeat trauma. We learned how to reduce their risk of PTSD

Four firefighters in protective gear rake over burned ground. The sky glows yellow.

Four firefighters in protective gear rake over burned ground. The sky glows yellow.

The ‘hot flush gold rush’: how women feel about being flooded with menopause marketing

Woman looks at her phone while sitting on her sofa

Woman looks at her phone while sitting on her sofa

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Barnaby Joyce on getting on with Pauline Hanson and One Nation’s rise

Voluntary assisted dying isn’t available to all Australians. In 2026, this may finally change

Small, pretty vase of flowers and analogue alarm clock on the bedside next to pillows.

Small, pretty vase of flowers and analogue alarm clock on the bedside next to pillows.

These voices are the loudest in Australia’s ‘climate wars’

A hand with puppet strings connected to Parliament House in Canberra with windmills and coal power plants in the background

A hand with puppet strings connected to Parliament House in Canberra with windmills and coal power plants in the background

More news and analysis

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Winter Olympics

Australia's Jaclyn Narracott in action during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Australia's Jaclyn Narracott in action during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Milan Cortina Winter Olympics: history, new events and Australian medal chances

People take part in an Anti-ICE demonstration ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

People take part in an Anti-ICE demonstration ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Winter Olympic security tightens as US-European tensions grow

New research

I found Australian cult The Family’s left-behind library. Here’s what their books reveal

A collage of book covers, including The Secrets of Life Extension and the Collected works of Ramana Maharishi

A collage of book covers, including The Secrets of Life Extension and the Collected works of Ramana Maharishi

I studied 10 years of Instagram posts. Here’s how social media has changed

A man taking a smartphone selfie and the image on the phone is black and white.

A man taking a smartphone selfie and the image on the phone is black and white.

Our study shows younger siblings spend more time on screens than big sisters and brothers

A boy holds a smart phone. His hair is scruffy and looks a bit grumpy.

A boy holds a smart phone. His hair is scruffy and looks a bit grumpy.

New research shows Australians support buying local for different reasons – and not all will pay more

An Australian Made sticker on a product

An Australian Made sticker on a product

More new research

Federal politics

New data show where the parties got their money from in the lead-up to the 2025 election

A hand putting money in a voting box

A hand putting money in a voting box

Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post

View from The Hill: Hanson nabs ex-Liberal for One Nation’s real time test in SA election

The Voice would have renewed Australian democracy. Its failure leaves us all worse off

A woman walking past large signs that say voice, treaty, truth

A woman walking past large signs that say voice, treaty, truth

More federal politics

World

The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer

Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer

Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer

Is NZ defence and intelligence policy aligning with AUKUS in all but name?

The only remaining US-Russia nuclear treaty expires this week. Could a new arms race soon accelerate?

If Pope Leo joined Trump’s Board of Peace, it would compromise centuries of ‘positive neutrality’

JD Vance, suited, shakes the hand of Pope Leo, in his red frock and cap

JD Vance, suited, shakes the hand of Pope Leo, in his red frock and cap

Climate

We know how to cool our cities and towns. So why aren’t we doing it?

A red sun rises over a city, in an atmosphere of heat.

A red sun rises over a city, in an atmosphere of heat.

Anatomy of a heatwave: how a cyclone, humid air and atmospheric waves drove brutal heat in the southeast

intense sun seen through gum leaves, bushfire smoke.

intense sun seen through gum leaves, bushfire smoke.

Fossil fuels are doomed – and Trump can’t save them

wind turbines silhouetted against coal plant.

wind turbines silhouetted against coal plant.

NZ’s sodden January explained: what’s driven this month’s big wet?

Sport

AI is coming to Olympic judging: what makes it a game changer?

An Olympic snowboard rider performs a rotation.

An Olympic snowboard rider performs a rotation.

Geopolitics will cast a long shadow over the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games

The statue of the Virgin Mary seen through the middle of a set of white, intertwined white rings

The statue of the Virgin Mary seen through the middle of a set of white, intertwined white rings

After Scott Robertson, the All Blacks face a deeper question than who coaches next

Life after the ‘Big 4’: are tennis’ modern stars cutting through like they used to?

Tennis' 'Big 4': Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Tennis' 'Big 4': Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Podcasts

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jonno Duniam on the ‘frenzy’ over hate speech laws and the Coalition split

Liberal Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam listens during the Joint Committee review of the Exposure Draft: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026

Liberal Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam listens during the Joint Committee review of the Exposure Draft: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026

What a US military base lost under Greenland’s ice sheet reveals about the island’s real strategic importance

US soldiers digging tunnels in the snow in Greenland in the 1960s.

US soldiers digging tunnels in the snow in Greenland in the 1960s.

Most of the world just agreed on something: a new treaty to protect our oceans

A manta ray surrounded by fish in the ocean.

A manta ray surrounded by fish in the ocean.

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers on the Bondi terror attack and the mid-year budget update

Gemma Ware, The Conversation

Nicolas Maduro looking through binoculars

Nicolas Maduro looking through binoculars

All episodes of Politics with Michelle Grattan

All episodes of The Conversation Weekly

Reviews

A knock-off Pynchon without the punchline: George Saunders’ Vigil falls flat

Dog parks are an unexploited arena for a television dramedy – so now we have ABC’s Dog Park

Production image: a group of people in a park, with their dogs.

Production image: a group of people in a park, with their dogs.

In his last book, Julian Barnes circles big ideas and reflects on his shortcomings

From grand harbour spectacular to intimate perfection: the varied dance at Sydney Festival 2026

A dancer in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A dancer in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Your say

Your say: week beginning February 2

Your say: week beginning January 26

Your Say: week beginning January 19

Your say: week beginning January 12

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Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

The giant cuttlefish’s technicolour mating display is globally unique. The SA algal bloom could kill them all

Zoe Doubleday, University of South Australia

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

Two giant Australian cuttlefish during breeding season in the Great Southern Reef near Whyalla, South Australia.

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