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Environment 4 min read

Why are sunsets so pretty in winter? There’s a simple explanation

by Chloe Wilkins - Associate Lecturer and PhD Candidate, Solar Physics, University of Newcastle

If you live in the southern hemisphere and have been stopped in your tracks by a recent sunset, you may have noticed they seem more vibrant lately.

Arts, Culture and Society 5 min read

‘Perfect bodies and perfect lives’: how selfie-editing tools are distorting how young people see themselves

by Julia Coffey, Associate Professor in Sociology

Like many of her peers, Abigail (21) takes a lot of selfies, tweaks them with purpose-made apps, and posts them on social media. But, she says, the selfie-editing apps do more than they were designed for.

Education 9 min read

Pathway to purpose

by Carmen Swadling

From limited beginnings to limitless dreams - equity in education is giving Arthur Demetriou the chance to change the face of medicine.

Health and Wellbeing 8 min read

“I thought I was a bad mother”: How telehealth changed a young boy’s life and gave a family hope

by Rosemarie Milsom

“I thought I was a bad mother,” says Marlie Matthews, tearfully. “I tried everything, but Marcus was getting more and more behind. He wasn’t speaking much and when he did, I couldn’t understand him. It was very hard on all of us.”

Education 4 min read

‘Outdated and irrelevant’: what do young Australians think of their schooling?

by Jun Eric Fu, Senior Research Fellow, Youth Research Collective from The University of Melbourne and Julia Cook Senior Lecturer in Sociology from the University of Newcastle

Australia’s school system – and whether it is doing its job – is often under the microscope from politicians, experts and parents.

Business, Law and Politics 4 min read

Australia doesn’t have a federal Human Rights Act – but the election clears the way for overdue reform

by Amy Maguire Professor in Human Rights and International Law, University of Newcastle

The Albanese government has achieved an historic re-election, substantially building its majority in the House of Representatives. Much has already been written about the potential for a more ambitious legislative program on the back of this result.That agenda should include substantive human rights reform. The government has the opportunity in its second term to enhance the protections we all deserve by legislating a national Human Rights Act.

Arts, Culture and Society 5 min read

Pope Francis tried to change the Catholic Church for women, with mixed success

by Tracy McEwan School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences and Kathleen McPhillips Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Science

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. On Easter Sunday, he used his message and blessing to appeal for peace in Middle East and Ukraine.

Health and Wellbeing 5 min read

Sick of eating the same things? 5 ways to boost your nutrition and keep meals interesting and healthy

by Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle

Did you start 2025 with a promise to eat better but didn’t quite get there? Or maybe you want to branch out from making the same meal every week or the same lunch for work almost every day?

Arts, Culture and Society 6 min read

A century in motion: how stop-motion films went from obscure ‘creature features’ to winning Oscars

by Jack McGrath Lecturer in Animation, University of Newcastle

The 2025 Academy Awards could shape up to be a big one for stop-motion animation. Australian director Adam Eliott’s Memoir of a Snail (2024) has raked in a nomination for Best Animated Feature Film, alongside Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024).

Business, Law and Politics 5 min read

The High Court made a landmark decision on native title law. Here’s what it means

by Bethany Butchers Associate Lecturer in Law, University of Newcastle

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the name of a deceased person.

Health and Wellbeing 4 min read

Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health – and 3 things to avoid

by Dileep Sharma, Professor and Head of Discipline - Oral Health at the University of Newcastle

Around one in three Australians delayed their visit to a dentist in the last financial year – or didn’t go at all – due to cost.Given it doesn’t look like dental treatment is being added to Medicare any time soon, what can you do?

Business, Law and Politics 4 min read

More than two thirds of organisations have a formal work from home policy here's how the benefits stack up

by Professor Christina Boedker, Newcastle Business School at the University of Newcastle, Aeson Luiz Dela Cruz, Lecturer at the University of Adelaide and Professor Kieron Meagher, Research School of Economics at the Australian National University

The opposition wants to call time on letting public servants work from home. In a speech to the Menzies Research Institute this week, shadow public service minister Jane Hume said, if elected, a Coalition government would require public servants in the office five days a week:

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