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

A group of crested terns in shallow water.

A group of crested terns in shallow water.

The warning signs are over: Australia now faces a devastating bird flu outbreak in wildlife

Trump is hailing it as a ‘breakthrough’, but will Hamas actually disarm in Gaza?

How the Ceuta border crossing incident immediately played into the hands of Spain’s far right

More than 80% of kids still using social media despite ban, new eSafety report finds

Two young women in a purple-lit bathroom using smartphones near a sink.

Two young women in a purple-lit bathroom using smartphones near a sink.

Australia’s fuel discount is ending. What does this mean for petrol prices?

Close-up view of a woman pumping petrol into a car.

Close-up view of a woman pumping petrol into a car.

A man with a needle in his arm and vials of peptides in the background.

A man with a needle in his arm and vials of peptides in the background.

Where do peptides come from? We found out

Signage on the exterior of the Revolut global headquarters building in Canary Wharf, London

Signage on the exterior of the Revolut global headquarters building in Canary Wharf, London

Can Australia’s newest bank give the ‘big four’ some real competition?

Sam Altman says we’re ‘in the singularity’ with AI. Here’s why he’s wrong

Bright blue and purple lights, leading to a vanishing point.

Bright blue and purple lights, leading to a vanishing point.

Australia’s online watchdog is taking messaging app Telegram to court over ‘pro-terrorist’ posts

A person using a smartphone under red neon light.

A person using a smartphone under red neon light.

We revisited a forest experiment that lay forgotten for 30 years. What we found was astounding

An infrared aerial photograph of a heavy thinning treatment from 1987 at the Silvicultural Systems Project at Tanjil Bren in Victoria's Central Highlands.

An infrared aerial photograph of a heavy thinning treatment from 1987 at the Silvicultural Systems Project at Tanjil Bren in Victoria's Central Highlands.

Sports venues are offering facial recognition to let people in. What are the risks?

A young woman with blue and white cat face paint smiling outside a stadium.

A young woman with blue and white cat face paint smiling outside a stadium.

Editor's picks

In Homer’s epic, a bold princess helps Odysseus home – but not in Nolan’s film. Who is Nausicaa?

a man in a red robe and woman looking a bit bored in gold robe

a man in a red robe and woman looking a bit bored in gold robe

Falls in whale sightings, rare seabirds appearing – is something unusual happening in the Southern Ocean?

ocean wave breaking out at sea, strong sunlight behind.

ocean wave breaking out at sea, strong sunlight behind.

World game at war: why some European nations have threatened a World Cup boycott

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks before the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks before the 2026 World Cup.

Closing the Gap is failing, yet again. Is it time we do away with it altogether?

Two hands reaching out with an orange and red circle in the background

Two hands reaching out with an orange and red circle in the background

More news and analysis

Fauci sits at a table behind a nameplate reading Anthony Fauci, M.D., a microphone and stacks of documents in front of him, as a dozen people stand and sit behind him in a wood-paneled room

Fauci sits at a table behind a nameplate reading Anthony Fauci, M.D., a microphone and stacks of documents in front of him, as a dozen people stand and sit behind him in a wood-paneled room

Fauci’s COVID-origins hearing shows how conspiracy theories became political weapons

Australia’s childcare safety changes are turning one. Are they working?

Children in safety vests walk to a playground.

Children in safety vests walk to a playground.

This history of currencies suggests the US dollar’s dominance may fade – but it will happen slowly

American dollar and chart, making money concept Red color

American dollar and chart, making money concept Red color

Forbidden Planet hit cinemas in 1956. Its warnings about AI should terrify us

Film still: a woman, five men in uniform, and a robot on a space ship.

Film still: a woman, five men in uniform, and a robot on a space ship.

Grattan on Friday: A reluctant Albanese is under pressure over telehealth for VAD

Meta-backed research finds exposure to ‘untrustworthy’ social media is rare. The fine print is less reassuring

A person scrolling on a social media feed.

A person scrolling on a social media feed.

‘The fire has such power’: why the wildfires gripping France and Spain are off the charts

people in town watching smoke and fire threatening them.

people in town watching smoke and fire threatening them.

Bali’s traditional boats embody centuries of maritime tradition – but they’re quickly disappearing

Traditional Balinese boats line a beach.

Traditional Balinese boats line a beach.

Should I let my kids down that tube slide? How to weigh the benefits with the risk of injury

Toddler boy riding a tube slide.

Toddler boy riding a tube slide.

Regime Change might be 2026’s nonfiction bestseller. Here’s why it’s essential, chilling reading

Defining a ‘normal’ country: Japan’s long struggle between pacifism and the threats of a new era

A new fuel refinery is a start. But Australia is still vulnerable to shipping disruptions without a clear strategy

Gina Rinehart paid $1.2 million to Australia’s Commonwealth Games swimmers. Is there any problem with that?

Australians Elijah Winnington, Sam Short, and Benjamin Goedemans celebrate their medals from the 400m freestyle final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Australians Elijah Winnington, Sam Short, and Benjamin Goedemans celebrate their medals from the 400m freestyle final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

After a record-breaking night at the Commonwealth Games, Australia is primed to produce more world-class athletes

Bronze medallist Torrie Lewis of Australia celebrates setting a new national 100m record at the Commonwealth Games.

Bronze medallist Torrie Lewis of Australia celebrates setting a new national 100m record at the Commonwealth Games.

A jeweller holding an engagement ring with white gloves and placing it into a box

A jeweller holding an engagement ring with white gloves and placing it into a box

Same sparkle, different story: how lab-grown diamonds are transforming the market

An Aboriginal woman at a desk, and in uniform

An Aboriginal woman at a desk, and in uniform

Australian poetry classics: Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s A Song of Hope created a legacy to build on

Australian inflation has eased a little. An August interest rate rise now looks unlikely

Woman checking her receipt after shopping at the grocery store.

Woman checking her receipt after shopping at the grocery store.

Gianni Infantino wants to sell the World Cup – but it’s not his to sell

Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, with US president Donald Trump, holding the World Cup trophy.

Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, with US president Donald Trump, holding the World Cup trophy.

Spain needs a legal overhaul to protect homes from fire: here’s what it can learn from Australia and Greece

A house on a mountainside, with vegetation and smoke from fires in the sky.

A house on a mountainside, with vegetation and smoke from fires in the sky.

Labor MP charged over alleged assault on Northern Territory Administrator

A sideways view of Australia seen from space

A sideways view of Australia seen from space

Can pumping groundwater really flip Earth’s poles? An expert explains

Thinking of posting pictures of your child online? Ask these 4 questions first

An adult takes a photo on a phone of a young child.

An adult takes a photo on a phone of a young child.

Australia hasn’t built an oil refinery in decades. But that could change

An oil refinery plant lit up in front of a dark blue sky.

An oil refinery plant lit up in front of a dark blue sky.

Chasing unpaid wages is slow and expensive. Is a new Fair Work Court the answer?

Silhouette of a barista preparing coffee

Silhouette of a barista preparing coffee

Luke Bateman says boys need books ‘written for boys’ to become readers. But it’s not that simple

a boy reading on a pier over water

a boy reading on a pier over water

Donald Trump blames Canada for wildfire smoke — but global warming is loading the wildfire dice

a firefighter stands near a wildfire among trees

a firefighter stands near a wildfire among trees

Glen Hansard: a tireless, warm-hearted troubadour whose music brought people together

Glen Hansard performs on stage.

Glen Hansard performs on stage.

3 clinical-grade skincare creams you really shouldn’t buy online

Woman applying skincare under eyes, looking in mirror

Woman applying skincare under eyes, looking in mirror

Scabies can kill animals like the beloved wombat. What’s the best way to diagnose it?

A wombat showing signs of mange, a potentially fatal skin condition, stands on green grass.

A wombat showing signs of mange, a potentially fatal skin condition, stands on green grass.

More news + analysis

New research

Tiny crystals from a 17th-century shipwreck hold secrets of a global supply chain at the dawn of capitalism

A weathered timber ship hill in a museum, alongside a stone archway.

A weathered timber ship hill in a museum, alongside a stone archway.

Flash droughts pull ‘alarming’ amounts of moisture from the landscape and intensify wildfires: new research

An aerial image of a dried creek bed in an arid landscape.

An aerial image of a dried creek bed in an arid landscape.

New research shows how vulnerable Australia would be to attacks on shipping in the Indian Ocean

Older people’s media literacy can be boosted in just 60 minutes – new study

An older woman in a fabulous outfit reads something on her purple smartphone.

An older woman in a fabulous outfit reads something on her purple smartphone.

More new research

Life

Mentally, are young people really worse off? Or are they better at admitting they’re struggling?

Teenage girl lying in bed, looking sad, with tabby cat

Teenage girl lying in bed, looking sad, with tabby cat

Want to break free from big tech? ‘Self-hosting’ could be the answer

panumas nikhomkhai/Pexels

panumas nikhomkhai/Pexels

Teens want more advice about navigating consent but teachers’ sex ed skills are falling short

A teenage student puts their hand up to answer a teacher's question

A teenage student puts their hand up to answer a teacher's question

My kid’s becoming a junior football star – should they drop their other sports?

A blurred image shows a child kicking a footy ball.

A blurred image shows a child kicking a footy ball.

Arts and reviews

Who was Homer, author of the Odyssey?

The Birthday Trip is a tense new Australian drama about the fragile bonds that hold us together

A movie scene in which a young woman stand inside a messy lounge room with a brown purse.

A movie scene in which a young woman stand inside a messy lounge room with a brown purse.

In a time of backlash, this guide to queer writing is invaluable

Male couple at home, fooling around, laughing

Male couple at home, fooling around, laughing

Leaning into Uncle Vanya’s bleakness: a sumptuous play, with a deeply modern feel

Production image: Uncle Vanya hugs his niece.

Production image: Uncle Vanya hugs his niece.

World

Berlin Pride: ISIS still inspires terrorism in Europe – but who carries out these attacks?

Berlin's Brandenburg Gate is lit up in the colours of the rainbow flag, with flowers, candles and rainbow flags on the ground in front of it.

Berlin's Brandenburg Gate is lit up in the colours of the rainbow flag, with flowers, candles and rainbow flags on the ground in front of it.

Trump is sowing fear over Cuba, terrorism and the ‘radical left’. This is what could come next

India’s cockroach movement brought down a minister. Bringing real reform will be much harder

US-Saudi nuclear deal invites proliferation risks … unless safeguards are written in

A man sits at a lectern in front of a large screen with IAEA written on it.

A man sits at a lectern in front of a large screen with IAEA written on it.

Federal politics

The ban on telehealth in voluntary assisted dying doesn’t stack up. Here’s why it should be scrapped

A woman sits in her loungeroom, deep in thought

A woman sits in her loungeroom, deep in thought

After a decade leading the ACTU, what is the legacy of Sally McManus and Michele O'Neil?

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Michele O'Neil and Secretary Sally McManus at the August 2025 Economic Reform Roundtable at Parliament House, Canberra.

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Michele O'Neil and Secretary Sally McManus at the August 2025 Economic Reform Roundtable at Parliament House, Canberra.

One Nation is worried about PBS drugs sold on the black market. But how big an issue is this?

Finger holding up bag of pills, in darkened room with ceiling light

Finger holding up bag of pills, in darkened room with ceiling light

Special DemosAU poll has Labor well short of a parliamentary majority

Labor politicians sit in their seats in the House of Representatives

Labor politicians sit in their seats in the House of Representatives

More federal politics

New Zealand

Data centres are power hungry – but they don’t have to be a burden on NZ’s grid

Is social housing policy failing NZ families trying to move from renting to home ownership?

Children playing in empty boxes

Children playing in empty boxes

Wetlands are crucial food baskets for NZ’s native eels – new research

Native new zealand eel swimming in river near bank.

Native new zealand eel swimming in river near bank.

Workplace violence is a fact of life for many NZ care workers – why do we tolerate it?

Blurred figure with raised hand seen through opaque glass

Blurred figure with raised hand seen through opaque glass

More New Zealand

Climate

Has the government failed to protect Torres Strait culture from rising seas? The full Federal Court is about to decide

traditional dancers with feathered headdresses on a beach from the Torres Strait.

traditional dancers with feathered headdresses on a beach from the Torres Strait.

Media coverage of environmental disasters doesn’t come with a content warning. It’s time for change

A member of the public stands on a beach in South Australia affected by the algal bloom.

A member of the public stands on a beach in South Australia affected by the algal bloom.

The dangerous climate driving California’s wildfires — and a warning for Australia

A fire helicopter drops water on a blaze in a dark sky.

A fire helicopter drops water on a blaze in a dark sky.

Fire can destroy peatlands. But in Australia, it can also help protect them

Smoke rises from a patch of burning peat.

Smoke rises from a patch of burning peat.

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Podcasts

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bridie O'Donnell on the ‘precarious business’ of the Tour de France

Three men stand on a podium, one holding up a trophy

Three men stand on a podium, one holding up a trophy

How do we know what dinosaurs looked like?

An iguanodon stands in a dense prehistoric forest.

An iguanodon stands in a dense prehistoric forest.

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Paul Kelly on why Albanese is ‘misunderstood’ and Taylor needs to stay

Editor-at-Large of The Australian Newspaper, Paul Kelly, speaks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a conference in Melbourne, November 2022.

Editor-at-Large of The Australian Newspaper, Paul Kelly, speaks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a conference in Melbourne, November 2022.

Manchester – the city powering Andy Burnham, the UK’s new prime minister

Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham

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