Pursuit
Cutting-edge research and insightful commentary by world-leading experts
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More about usHealth & Wellbeing
The genetic mutation behind a new autoinflammatory disease
Scientists have discovered a new human autoinflammatory disease that causes repeated episodes of debilitating fever and inflammation
Science Matters
Seeing the power of White Island firsthand
While getting close to the awesome power of nature is a big draw for tourism, the eruption on White Island reminds us of the very real risks
Legal Affairs
Working class likely to deliver for Boris Johnson
Polls are pointing to a likely decisive Conservative victory in the UK election, clearing the way for Brexit, courtesy of Labour’s working class base
Heroines of mathematics
We asked some of the University of Melbourne's prominent mathematicians to share with us who their favourite maths heroines are and why.
Why that Instagram post may cost you more than you think
We need greater transparency around how our social media data will be used by banks, and how to challenge their decisions say University of Melbourne experts.
Finding the fundamentals of reading
An independent evaluation by University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute finds intensive phonics-based reading interventions can deliver
It’s time to retire Lena from computer science
Why did computer research adopt a sexist pornographic image? A University of Melbourne expert backgrounds the story of 'Losing Lena' and the need for change.
Working class likely to deliver for Boris Johnson
UK election polls point to a likely decisive Conservative victory and a Brexit go-ahead, courtesy of the working class says a University of Melbourne expert.
The genetic mutation behind a new autoinflammatory disease
University of Melbourne scientists are part of a team to discover a new human autoinflammatory disease that causes debilitating fever and inflammation.
Eavesdrop on Experts
What will it be like for teenagers of the future?
Psychologist and author Dr Katherine Canobi explores how teenagers respond to technology at a time when social media can help them disguise, or even escape from, reality
PodcastScience Matters
New dimensions in colour
Animals like beetles and birds are teaching us new ways of understanding colour at a nanoscale, which could change the way we manufacture it
Learning & Teaching
Assessing what we value, not valuing what we assess
NAPLAN and PISA are part of a wider approach to schooling and testing that isn’t fit for purpose anymore, and our focus on results can leave us oblivious to the big picture
Animals, Food & You
How do we get antibiotic resistance genes in a salad?
Animal manure is a known source of antibiotic resistance genes, and now new research shows how these genes travel from the soil to a salad
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Environment
Science Matters
Iron and Ice: How life survived snowball Earth
Iron-rich rocks deposited by ancient glaciers tell a tale of evolving complex life forms, taking refuge in an oasis of oxygenated seawater
Design
Building equity into architecture
We’ve had qualified women architects in Australia for nearly 120 years, but there is no way that we’ve reached gender parity in the professions
Engineering & Technology
Engineering a smart city
An app that can get you from A to B faster and safer? The technology to transform our burgeoning city transport systems into intelligent networks is already here
Humanities
Canada’s first climate change election
In an election campaign where the threat of climate change loomed large, Canada’s left-leaning parties made big promises that may lead to real change
Health & Wellbeing
Making Australia’s most liveable city more inclusive
Melbourne is a great city to live in, but it can do better for people with a disability by making it more accessible and inclusive
Health & Medicine
Health & Wellbeing
Antibiotic use too long in surgery
New research finds antibiotics are often prescribed inappropriately before, during and after surgery, and more needs to be done to change the culture of prescription
Health & Wellbeing
Curbing cancer’s addiction to treat it
Many of the most common cancers need a specific molecule to grow and spread, and cutting off the supply is showing promise as a new way to treat the disease
Health & Wellbeing
Does disability policy really offer choice and control?
While government policy for Australians with disabilities aims to offer choice and control, there are very real barriers that need to be addressed to turn that into a reality
Health & Wellbeing
Why being the fairest of them all still pays
New research finds economic inequality can actually incentivise some women to use their attractiveness to try to get ahead
Health & Wellbeing
A community acting against family violence
One Aboriginal community has co-designed an online family violence resource for their own people, prioritising the voices of Australia’s First Nations populations in positive change
Health & Medicine
The children left behind by domestic homicide
When children lose a parent to domestic homicide, committed overwhelmingly by a male perpetrator, the system treats them as just collateral damage. That needs to, and can, change
Arts & Culture
Humanities
How green is sustainable fashion really?
Can the trend towards buying sustainable fashion really help at a time of climate crisis, or should we simply be buying less clothing?
Humanities
How women are changing Indonesia
All over the islands of Indonesia, women are making change for themselves from the ground up and defining the future of gender equality
Design
Reframing the ‘Australian Ugliness’
This year celebrates the 100 year anniversary of architect Robin Boyd’s birth. He was well-known for his scathing assessment of Australian popular architecture and design, but did Boyd eventually change his mind?
Humanities
Castles, caves and rock shelters
Archaeology in the rugged landscape of Georgia reveals a medieval world where caves and underground shelters provided refuge from raiders, allowing a threatened civilisation to flourish
Music, Arts & Screen
Putting diversity centre stage
A new production puts a generation of emerging African-Australian theatrical voices centre stage, telling stories that excite and challenge
Politics & Society
Public Affairs
Party promises and immigration policies
While Brexit looms over the UK’s general election, the main party’s manifestos tell us that this election is likely to be a turning point for immigration policy
Engineering & Technology
What is the law when AI makes the ‘decisions’?
A Federal Court ruling that the Australian government’s ‘Robodebt’ system is unlawful shines a much-needed light on what the law actually says
Legal Affairs
How the UK is handling climate politics
Watching the UK election campaign, Australians may look at how climate politics has played out there and wonder why it has to be so toxic Down Under
Legal Affairs
How do you judge tough military decisions?
New research investigates the role of hindsight in difficult military decisions and how the outcome of that decision can bias our judgement of whether it was proportionate or even legal
Public Affairs
The sound and fury of Britain’s election
The United Kingdom is counting down to a truly unpredictable election with clearly drawn battle lines between the political parties
Legal Affairs
Fear and security swing Sri Lanka vote
In a country riven with ethnic divisions and political violence, voters in Sri Lanka’s recent presidential election chose the strong arm of an authoritarian
Education
Learning & Teaching
Australia’s lost students
The alarmingly high number of school-aged Australians detached from education has been largely hidden – until now
Learning & Teaching
Finding the fundamentals of reading
An independent evaluation by researchers finds that an intensive phonics-based intervention program for students struggling to read can improve foundational skills
Learning & Teaching
An alternative to ATAR
As students prepare for their end-of-year exams, new research is exploring an alternative to the ATAR that may better recognise student achievement and inspire good learning
Learning & Teaching
The unique value of Indigenous knowledge
A university’s core role is knowledge creation, but Australian universities are still missing out on genuine two-way learning with local Indigenous knowledge
Public Affairs
Actions speak louder than words
Helping our young people to become ‘action competent’ will enable the next generation to become connected and empathetic – and encourage them to push for real change
Business & Economics
Inside Business
Improving the finance sector for all Australians
Trust in our financial services has been shaken by scandals, but in a new white paper, FinFuture, researchers show how the system can be reformed to put financial wellbeing front and centre.
Engineering & Technology
Why that Instagram post may cost you more than you think
We don’t really know how social media posts are being used or evaluated by banks. We need greater transparency around exactly how our data will be used and the ability to challenge decisions
Inside Business
Breaking the family chain of joblessness
New research finds children of parents who are both jobless can experience long-term disadvantage, but targeted policy can break the cycle
Inside Business
Care for our financial health
Many Australians stress over their finances, but just like a health problem, the answer is better education, financial health checks, and counselling for those that need it
Inside Business
Why do we say things we later regret?
Experiments show that when we are stressed, exercising or otherwise aroused, we are more prone to say things we shouldn’t. So, to keep a secret, try to stay calm
Inside Business
Is wages growth really as weak as we think?
This year’s HILDA Survey shows that hourly wages of the median full-time worker have been rising well ahead of the cost of living
Sciences & Technology
Science Matters
Why more clouds can mean less rain in Australia
A giant, continent-sized cloud that dumps rain from Broome to Hobart has increased in frequency over the past 33 years, but its impact may not be what you expect
Legal Affairs
The ‘personality’ in artificial intelligence
As artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning continue to impact many human industries, would understanding the ‘personality’ within the algorithm make us trust AI more?
Science Matters
The Spirit of change
A new documentary, Spirit, tells a story of longing and belonging in the Indian Himalayas, exploring what it takes to make a home in a remote community in the thralls of change
Science Matters
The man who built a whole new field of chemistry
In the 90s, Professor Richard Robson created a new class of coordination polymers, and his models inspired an entirely new field of chemistry
Science Matters
How micro-doses of nature help our health and climate
Urban greening is emerging as a key part of the solution to some of our major health and environmental challenges. Providing nearby nature offers a surprising range of co-benefits