Pursuit
World-changing research made possible by Melbourne
Welcome to Pursuit, the latest in cutting-edge research and expert commentary by world-leading experts.
More about usHealth & Medicine
Epigenetics: Asking cancer the right question
One of the keys to beating cancer lies beyond our DNA, in understanding how it is regulated
Design
Cladding fires: a fatal warning of a bigger problem
Questions persist over the role polyethylene-core cladding played in the speed and spread of the Grenfell Tower blaze. It begs the bigger question – how do we prevent this happening again?
The Policy Shop
To quota or not to quota
Women remain under-represented in Australian business and politics, despite the proven benefits of gender diversity
Podcast10 great books you should read in 2017
Looking for something new to read? Let the University of Melbourne's experts guide you through some classics you might not have discovered yet.
Children speak out on family violence
University of Melbourne researcher interviews children and young people whose fathers use violence and finds they want to be heard and to make a difference
(Don’t) always look on the bright side of life
University of Melbourne research finds societal pressure to feel happy could be bad for our mental health; even contributing to the prevalence of depression.
From ancient Egyptians to modern humans: Why do we still have the genes for heart disease?
University of Melbourne of researchers have discovered the genes humans need for reproduction are also linked to coronary artery disease.
Epigenetics: Asking cancer the right question
The University of Melbourne is leading research into epigenetic treatments for cancer; learning more about the chromatin biology that regulates our genes.
To quota or not to quota
The University of Melbourne's Policy Shop considers whether quotas or 'targets with teeth' will address the lack of women in Australian business and politics.
Health & Wellbeing
Safe at home or sitting target?
Family violence is a leading cause of homelessness among women because even if she wants to stay in the home after a violent partner is ordered away, she risks becoming a sitting target
Science Matters
The exciting future of light energy
Excitons are formed when light is absorbed by electrons within a molecule, and we’re just beginning to understand the role they could play in meeting the world’s future energy needs
Health & Wellbeing
Malaria’s dark secrets exposed by a simple glow
A new technique in which scientists use fluorescence to keep track of genetic information inside the malaria parasite is pin-pointing the weaknesses in the parasite’s armoury.
Health & Wellbeing
(Don’t) always look on the bright side of life
The pursuit of happiness at the expense of other emotions may, paradoxically, be making us sad
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Arts & Culture
Music, Arts & Screen
Small pictures, big legacy: The 9 by 5 exhibition then and now
The Victorian College of the Arts is marking one of Australia’s most influential moments in art, the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition of 1889, which saw some of the country’s best known artists displaying on cigar box lids
Music, Arts & Screen
The myth and magic of Sgt Pepper
As music lovers worldwide mark the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ most celebrated album, we explore why it has stood the test of time
Music, Arts & Screen
The VCA in photos: 1978 – 1986
In 1978, when Janine Burke began her Master of Arts on artist Joy Hester, she bought a second-hand Pentax to document her work. The previous year, she had been appointed Foundation Lecturer in Art History at the Victorian College of the Arts, previously known as the National Gallery School. She ended up capturing a slice of history at the VCA, now celebrating 150 years of art in Melbourne
Humanities
Islands of language enter virtual reality
Thousands of the world’s languages are endangered, but linguists are breathing new life into them with virtual reality technology
Music, Arts & Screen
Jellyfish: Where art meets science
The other-worldly work of Penelope Davis brings art and science together in a commentary about the impact of climate change
Under the Microscope
Laura Woodward: The power of public art
The prize-winning kinetic sculptor and artist tells how to balance teaching with art, and making a living from your passion
Politics & Society
Humanities
Learning from the past: Working with WWII refugees
In the aftermath of World War II, Australian woman Esma Banner travelled to Germany to work with the UN in resettling the millions of post-war refugees. On World Refugee Day, we look back at the personal insights offered by her letters, diaries and photographs
Public Affairs
France clearly ‘On the Move’
President Macron’s young party has won an overall majority in the French parliament, but with relatively low voter turnout their mandate for radical change isn’t absolute
Public Affairs
Why British Labour voters stayed true to their roots
Try as they might, the British Conservative Party still fails to understand the working class
Public Affairs
Can CCTV help prevent family violence?
Victoria’s state budget included a proposal to install technologies into the homes of at-risk women. But can CCTV help to reduce violence against women?
Legal Affairs
Chemical restraint: Behind locked doors
In Australia, the use of psychotropic drugs to calm or control behaviour is largely unregulated, and questions have been raised over their misuse. Now, the time has come for definition and regulation.
Sciences & Technology
Animals, Food & You
Silage: Rocket-fuel for cows
Smelly, pickled grass wrapped in plastic is actually a super food for cows. Silage is full of goodness, but it also gives farmers an extra tool for managing resources
Science Matters
Talking dirty: The conversation between plants and soil
Plants release chemicals that ‘talk’ to the soil and, by joining the conversation, we could reduce our massive reliance on planet-harming artificial fertilisers
Science Matters
Key greenhouse gases higher than any time over last 800,000 years
Worldwide compilation of data reveals the most complete picture ever showing the 43 greenhouse gases driving global warming
Go Figure
Riding the gravitational wave
Scientists have just confirmed that their third observation of gravitational waves was a success. But what are gravitational waves? And why are astronomers jumping up and down with excitement?
Science Matters
Darwin was right: Females prefer sex with good listeners
Almost 150 years after Charles Darwin first proposed a little-known prediction from his theory of sexual selection, researchers have found that male moths with larger antennae are better at detecting female signals
Science Matters
Is the Australian gas shortfall a myth?
Our researchers have crunched the numbers to check whether Australia really is running out of gas
Health & Medicine
Health & Wellbeing
Children speak out on family violence
Interviews with children and young people whose fathers use violence reveals that they require their Dads make amends so they can move on. Their voices are now being used in fathering programs
Health & Wellbeing
Brush your teeth! It could save your life
Bacteria that lurks in your mouth and can travel through your body to wreak havoc will have its destructive ways curbed if researchers can develop a new vaccine.
Learning & Teaching
Parents: 24/7 CEOs of our kids’ lives
Book extract: Parenting today is a complicated business, but Professor Lea Waters’ new book, The Strength Switch, focuses on building on our kids’ strengths rather than trying to improve their weaknesses
Health & Wellbeing
Stopping the flu virus at the nose
Research finds special flu-fighting cells in our noses that not only stop the influenza virus in its tracks, but could also open the way for a one-shot flu vaccine
Health & Medicine
Breakthrough: Medicinal cannabis and severe epilepsy
A major scientific breakthrough finds that a type of medicinal cannabis significantly reduces convulsive seizures in children with a severe form of epilepsy
Environment
Up Close
Rivers as persons
What it means to give legal rights to nature
PodcastDesign
Trump’s political climate
President Trump is pulling the US out of the Paris Accord, but it appears international commitment to the landmark climate deal remains strong
Eavesdrop on Experts
Unexpected outcome in bagging area
How the 5p plastic bag tax changed British habits overnight, and why we should think twice about our takeaway coffee cups
PodcastDesign
A greener ‘Kingdom of Bicycles’
Can China’s vision for low carbon cities retrieve the bicycle from its cultural past?
Environment
Extreme weather: Why the impact will be felt more widely
As floods, heatwaves and droughts increase, how will they affect our lives and bring about change
Science Matters
Sharks: How a cull could ruin an ecosystem
As a Senate inquiry looks into minimising shark attacks, we consider what happens when humans meddle with this apex predator
Business & Economics
Inside Business
The algorithm for accessing child care
How matching theory, the study of supply and demand, could help secure your child a spot in child care
Politics & Society
What comes after the housing boom?
After surging for five years, Australia’s hot property market may finally be cooling. So what happens if house prices fall?
Inside Business
The 2017 Budget in history
This year’s Budget will be remembered as a return to fiscal realities, but what are the wider implications?
Public Affairs
Why South Korea’s fresh start is good news for Australian business
After months of political scandal that saw South Korea’s former president impeached, a newly elected leader could mean big opportunities for Australia
Legal Affairs
Putting the “E” into e-consumer protection
We can shop and be entertained wherever and whenever we like, but consumer protections haven’t kept pace with e-commerce technology. New technologies now have the potential to be the consumer’s best safeguard
Education
Public Affairs
Are universities part of the populism problem?
Universities are key drivers of educated debate, so with democracy in crisis amid rising populism and inequality, what have they been doing and where do they need to go?
Music, Arts & Screen
The trouble with teaching music in our schools
When many schools have cupboards full of musical instruments, why are so few students learning to play?
The Policy Shop
The battle for academic freedom in Europe
Michael Ignatieff on the Central European University’s fight for survival in Hungary, as it resists the rising tide of populism
PodcastLearning & Teaching
Minding the gap for boys and girls at school
Aptitude isn’t gendered so how do we address the performance gaps between the sexes in reading and numeracy? Multiple policy solutions are needed both before and at school
Learning & Teaching
Coding in the classroom
Australian schools are about to introduce the new Digital Technologies curriculum
The Policy Shop
What is a fair amount for university students to pay?
The Policy Shop & the Grattan Institute present a special event
Podcast