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Cutting-edge research and insightful commentary by world-leading experts
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Victoria’s volcanic history confirms the state’s Aboriginal inhabitation before 34,000 years
New techniques for dating volcanic eruptions, a lone axe and Indigenous oral traditions give us a new minimum age for human occupation in Victoria
Health & Wellbeing
Exposing the Achilles’ Heel of a major cancer gene
Recent genetic research has identified a surprising vulnerability of lymphoma cells that may lead to a new approach for cancer treatment
Science Matters
The wicked risks of biosecurity
As our world becomes increasingly connected, the only way we can manage the risk of pests coming into Australia is ensuring an effective biosecurity system
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
How do we protect our unique biodiversity from megafires?
University of Melbourne experts say Australia's summer bushfires should remind us just how easily our unique biodiversity and ecosystems could be wiped out.
Exposing the Achilles’ Heel of a major cancer gene
Genetic research, involving the University of Melbourne, has identified a vulnerability of lymphoma cells that may lead to a new approach for cancer treatment.
Victoria’s volcanic history confirms the state’s Aboriginal inhabitation before 34,000 years
New University of Melbourne research dating volcanic eruptions and Indigenous oral traditions gives us a new minimum age for human occupation in Victoria.
Inside Business
Busting the myths about sexual harassment
We have decades of research on sexual harassment and how to combat it. But first, we need to dispel the myths that enable it
Eavesdrop on Experts
Renewing Democracy in a time of environmental crisis
Social researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley says renewing democracy is critical to dealing with climate change because there’s little trust in our current politics to do anything about it
PodcastEducation
The enduring ‘cultural cringe’ about teaching Australian literature
Australian literature hasn’t received the attention it deserves in the classroom, but a new project aims to help teachers share its diversity with Australian high-school students
Engineering & Technology
AI: It’s time for the law to respond
The law is always behind technology but given the sweeping changes heralded by new technologies, legislators need to get in front of the issue
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Sciences & Technology
Animals, Food & You
A robot nose for a true brew
The aroma of beer is a key indicator of its quality, now new technology can ‘sniff’ a beer to help brewers create top notch tasty brews and innovative flavours
Engineering & Technology
Making milk powder less energy intensive
A new pilot study demonstrates the potential to use a cheese by-product to concentrate skim milk, reducing the energy required in dairy powder production
Science Matters
Challenging the climate of bias
It’s International Day of Girls and Women in Science. Although there’s still inequality in STEMM, the largest ever all-woman expedition to Antarctica is working to challenge the future
Humanities
The changing face of science
Science is forever evolving. International Day of Women and Girls in Science reminds us that our perception of science, and how it’s taught, should change too
Science Matters
Food to fight hidden hunger
University of Melbourne researchers are redesigning wheat to create healthier versions of one of the world’s favourite foods – bread
Environment
Science Matters
How Australian wildlife live with bushfires - but the price can be high
The massive scale of these bushfires heightens the risk to animal populations and species - and as climate change bites the onus will increasingly be on us to protect and foster our wildlife
Design
What is the best urban design to reduce road injuries?
City designs that can reduce reliance on cars, without reducing population mobility, are critical for mitigating many of our most pressing environmental and public health concerns
Animals, Food & You
Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs
Separation anxiety in pets can affect the quality of their life and the people who live with them. But there are ways to reduce the risk of your dog acquiring the condition
Science Matters
How fast the planet warms will be crucial for liveability
A rapid rise in global temperatures would lead to more extremes, whereas a more gradual and stabilised rate of climate change would decrease the temperatures we would experience
Science Matters
How you can help scientists monitor our beaches
Monitoring erosion at our beaches is crucial to formulating strategies to make the coastline more resilient, but it takes a lot of work. Now you can help while enjoying a day at the beach
Eavesdrop on Experts
Renewing Democracy in a time of environmental crisis
Social researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley says renewing democracy is critical to dealing with climate change because there’s little trust in our current politics to do anything about it
Podcast
Politics & Society
Public Affairs
Asia’s most eligible cities
Cities globally have long been partnering up, but some Asian metropolises have been overlooked. Here’s a list of Asian cities that should be on radar of any Australian city this Valentine’s Day
Legal Affairs
A precarious high
The Australian Capital Territory’s new cannabis laws are at odds with Australia’s federal laws, but should the federal government stay out of it?
Design
A not so silent night
Understanding what happens in cities after dark is crucial to global sustainable development, but will also help create a fairer society that values the night-time economy
Public Affairs
How Putin is devising his exit plan
Proposed constitutional reforms significantly weakening the authority of the Russian president suggest Vladimir Putin is considering life as an ex-president - with some caveats
Public Affairs
Mike Baird: The value of authenticity
The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership recognises those who’ve driven change though visionary leadership. Former NSW premier Mike Baird says leaders need a broad vision that gets people off the couch and cabinet ministers out of their chairs
Health & Medicine
Health & Wellbeing
Are you taking care of the microbes in your mouth?
Our mouths contain billions of microbes. Increasing evidence suggests they are important for our oral and overall health, but modern diets are causing problems
Health & Wellbeing
The genomic jigsaw of cancer
Mapping the human genome is revolutionising medicine. The aim? To turn cancer into a manageable, chronic disease like diabetes
Engineering & Technology
What maths can tell us about the spread of the new coronavirus
Mathematical modelling gave us an early warning about the size of the coronavirus outbreak – now, researchers are doing the numbers daily to work out how the virus could spread
Health & Wellbeing
The Global Cancer Atlas
Scientists around the world have collaborated to create the most comprehensive map of whole cancer genomes to date, improving our fundamental understanding of cancer and how to treat it
Health & Wellbeing
Why some women are dying for getting their period
Menstrual taboos have serious implications and consequences on women, with restrictions enforced on a woman’s daily life, impacting her health and freedoms
Health & Wellbeing
Simple ways to support people dealing with traumatic events
Thousands of people are processing the emotional impact of being caught up in the Australian bushfires. Here are some tips on how you can support a friend or family member who may be struggling.
Arts & Culture
Politics & Society
Not quite in Asia
Australia’s lack of engagement with its Asian neighbours is glaringly obvious in the world of football, but indifference and poor coverage aren’t helping to change attitudes here
Humanities
Our savage history of fighting bushfires
Too many firefighters have already died during Australia’s catastrophic bushfires this summer; a new project is looking back, honouring the stories of historical firefighters who lost their lives
Eavesdrop on Experts
The life you can save
Celebrating the tenth anniversary of his influential book ‘The Life You Can Save’, Professor Peter Singer discusses why we need to do more to improve the lives of people living in extreme poverty
PodcastHumanities
Feather-flowers and photographs
A visit by an Aboriginal newspaper editor to Museums Victoria inspired a project in contemporary storytelling, helping to connect Australia’s First Peoples with museum collections
Humanities
When streaming gets crowded
Video-on-demand streaming services have rapidly shaken up Australian viewing, but the dominance of Netflix and Stan is being challenged
Education
Learning & Teaching
Our business leaders must think critically
Critical thinking has become highly valued in business, but these skills aren’t taught to business students. So, how do we ensure that the next generation of business leaders don’t repeat the mistakes of the past?
Education
The young and curious: How Science Gallery can break down silos
An innovative longitudinal study will explore and challenge what young people want from their cultural institutions
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
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
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
Business & Economics
Legal Affairs
One year on, is our trust being restored?
On the first anniversary of the findings of the banking Royal Commission into misconduct, what’s actually being done and will it help our financial wellbeing?
Inside Business
Thinking about using donated eggs to start a family?
In Australia, the donor egg industry is heavily regulated, but in countries like the US, it can feel more like online shopping. Here’s what you need to know
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
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
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.