Humanities

Explore and analyse all aspects of the human condition. Delve into stories about our culture and society.

1 March 2018 – Election Watch, Elections, Europe, Italy, Politics
Will Berlusconi make a comeback in Italy? It’s anybody’s guess
Italians are voting to elect a new government and a new prime minister; a University of Melbourne expert finds it's a very unpredictable political contest.
16 June 2016 – Debt, Government, Nanny State, Public Policy, Taxes
Government: When enough is enough
The size of government in Australia is no bigger than average but some fear the nanny state is taking over, say University of Melbourne experts
26 February 2016 – Asia, Australian Politics, China, Defence, South China Sea
China needs to show some cards
The prickly response to Australia’s Defence White Paper 2016 is familiar rhetoric, but what the region now needs is real engagement from the Asian power.
7 June 2016 – Australian Federal Elections, Australian Politics, Democracy, Leadership, Politics
A leadership merry-go-round that won’t stop
There are three reasons why Australia is in a cycle of rapidly-changing Prime Ministers, and chances are nothing will change after the 2016 Federal Election.
8 October 2015 – Australia, Middle East, Migrants, Migration, Refugees, Wars
Is Australia strong enough to protect?
The Greens and civil society orgs launched a campaign to accept 20,000 refugees from Syria. Is Australia ready to change course on migration?
3 November 2016 – Employment, Youth
More support and less stigma for unemployed youth
Researchers at the University of Melbourne lead a public discussion on solutions to youth unemployment.
7 December 2023 – Digital Ethics, Health Data, Mental Health, Mobile Phones, Wearable Technology
Our mental health has gone digital
Apps, wearables and ingestibles that support digital mental health have profound social, ethical, and legal implications, says University of Melbourne expert
31 August 2015 – Democracy, Freedom of speech, Media, Politics, Public Discourse
Fear and insecurity are killing public debate
On both sides of politics populism now seems to trump ideology. It's time for Australians to hold our government to account, says University of Melbourne expert
27 August 2015 – Democracy, Federalism, Plebiscite
How we can reinvigorate democracy
The Prime Minister is advocating a plebiscite on same-sex marriage. Are plebiscites a good or bad way to renew democracy?
3 February 2016 – Disability, Disadvantage, Policy, Politics, Public Policy
How research can improve outcomes
The 2016 Disability, Human Rights and Social Equity Conference, hosted by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne.