Education – Views & Research – The Conversation

Teenage girl holding rainbow flag during pride parade.

Teenage girl holding rainbow flag during pride parade.

Wear It Purple Day is about more than a T-shirt. Here’s how schools can really include gender and sexuality diverse youth

Jacqueline Ullman, Western Sydney University; Emily Gray, Monash University, and Victoria Rawlings, University of Sydney

Beyond Harry Potter: five books you can enjoy together as a whole family

Helen Joanne Adam, Edith Cowan University

A mother, father and their daughter sit on a white sofa, reading a book together.

A mother, father and their daughter sit on a white sofa, reading a book together.

Parents are increasingly abusive towards teachers and principals. How can schools respond?

Carolyn Wade, Griffith University and Paul Kidson, Australian Catholic University

A woman sits at a desk. There are papers and pencils on the desk and a bookshelf behind her.

A woman sits at a desk. There are papers and pencils on the desk and a bookshelf behind her.

Talking to your children about consent and sexual violence can be hard. Here’s how to start the conversation

Stephanie Wescott, Monash University and Jane Gilmore, Monash University

A father and his son talking on the floor of the living room.

A father and his son talking on the floor of the living room.

Why your child’s Year 9 teacher matters for completing Year 12: new research

Rebecca J. Collie, Monash University and Andrew J. Martin, UNSW

A woman writes on a whiteboard.

A woman writes on a whiteboard.

Schools today

A young boy in a backpack reads a book in a library.

A young boy in a backpack reads a book in a library.

Some parents want to see primary schools go ‘device free’. There could be unintended consequences

Karley Beckman, University of Wollongong and Tiffani Apps, University of Wollongong

With religious hostility surging in Australia, we need to rethink our approach to religious education

Suzanne Rutland, University of Sydney

A mosque, church and synagogue in front of a crowd of people

A mosque, church and synagogue in front of a crowd of people

The Coalition wants to see more Indigenous students go to private schools. Is this a smart idea?

Jessa Rogers, The University of Melbourne

Indigenous Australian boy in school uniform smiling to his dad.

Indigenous Australian boy in school uniform smiling to his dad.

The NAPLAN fine print we missed: the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students is growing

Andres Molina, Victoria University

Drone image directly above twenty high school students sitting an exam.

Drone image directly above twenty high school students sitting an exam.

Education ministers are worried about technology use in schools. Should they be?

Jason M. Lodge, The University of Queensland

A young child with a headset on works at a keyboard.

A young child with a headset on works at a keyboard.

Year 12 and beyond

A teenager sits at a desk. Her head is in her hands.

A teenager sits at a desk. Her head is in her hands.

‘I struggled a lot with ATAR’: there’s another way high school students can qualify for a uni degree

Angela Jones, Edith Cowan University

You don’t need an ATAR to go to uni. You can do an ‘enabling’ or ‘bridging’ course instead

Susan Hopkins, University of the Sunshine Coast and Gregory Nash, University of the Sunshine Coast

A young person wearing a lab coat looks in a microscope in a lab.

A young person wearing a lab coat looks in a microscope in a lab.

So your Year 12 student hasn’t decided what’s next. Here’s what to say – and what not to – about career planning

Brendon Hyndman, Charles Sturt University and Vaughan Cruickshank, University of Tasmania

A young person works at a desk under a lamp.

A young person works at a desk under a lamp.

Start your day with evidence-based news.

Get our free daily newsletter

Parenting and families

Baby boy and her mother reading a book in living room.

Baby boy and her mother reading a book in living room.

Book Week is not just for big kids. How to engage babies and toddlers at storytime

Jane Torr, Macquarie University

Does your kid hate costumes? Here’s how to handle Book Week and special events

Vivienne Lewis, University of Canberra

Young girl wearing superhero costume looks up at the camera while a younger child out of costume is seen behind her.

Young girl wearing superhero costume looks up at the camera while a younger child out of costume is seen behind her.

Of course parents want to keep tweens and teens safe. Here’s why you should also encourage them to take risks

Tonia Gray, Western Sydney University; Jaydene Barnes, Western Sydney University, and Marion Sturges, Western Sydney University

A girl in casual clothes riding a skateboard in a skate park.

A girl in casual clothes riding a skateboard in a skate park.

‘No, I want Mum!’ Does it feel like your child has a favourite parent?

Tianyi Ma, The University of Queensland

Young girl gripping tightly to her mother in a reassuring embrace, with her arms wrapped around her mother's shoulders, in a domestic setting.

Young girl gripping tightly to her mother in a reassuring embrace, with her arms wrapped around her mother's shoulders, in a domestic setting.

The emerging threat of violent, exploitative digital ‘com networks’: what do we need to know?

Larissa Christensen, University of the Sunshine Coast and Bricklyn Priebe, University of the Sunshine Coast

A young person in a hoodie, with a laptop in their hand, looks out of their window.

A young person in a hoodie, with a laptop in their hand, looks out of their window.

Early childhood

A woman holds a baby in her arms. Another woman stands in the background.

A woman holds a baby in her arms. Another woman stands in the background.

What do parents want when it comes to childcare safety? More information for a start

Bricklyn Priebe, University of the Sunshine Coast

Australia’s childcare system is full of ‘churn’ – this isn’t good for quality or safety

Peter Hurley, Victoria University; Melissa Tham, Victoria University, and Sarah Pilcher, Victoria University

A child plays with an abacus.

A child plays with an abacus.

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

Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University

Children in safety vests walk to a playground.

Children in safety vests walk to a playground.

Uni and TAFE

A male university student using his phone and laptop, sitting at a bench outside. A female student is studying at another table nearby.

A male university student using his phone and laptop, sitting at a bench outside. A female student is studying at another table nearby.

Does ‘AI-watermarking’ mean the party is over for cheating students?

Mark A. Bassett, Charles Sturt University

Oral exams are making a comeback to stop AI cheating. But they have their own problems

Nicole Brownlie, University of Southern Queensland

Female university student gesturing while speaking for class presentation.

Female university student gesturing while speaking for class presentation.

35% of Australian uni students are part-time. But higher ed is still geared towards full-timers

Kelly Linden, Charles Sturt University

A woman walks along carrying a large shoulder bag and folder.

A woman walks along carrying a large shoulder bag and folder.

Less than one third of students who enrolled in fee-free TAFE since 2023 have completed courses. Is this a problem?

Garry Argent, Deakin University and Shaun Rawolle, Deakin University

Full length photo of female construction worker using tape measure while working.

Full length photo of female construction worker using tape measure while working.

Most read

Melbourne Connect Innovation Week

Melbourne Connect

Canberra Writers Festival

Canberra Writers Festival

Outcomes Focused Program Evaluation Course

University of Technology Sydney