The Conversation
These articles have been published on The Conversation by experts from The University of Newcastle.
The Conversation • 21 May 2025
‘Outdated and irrelevant’: what do young Australians think of their schooling?
A survey of more than 4,000 Year 12 students suggests young people want schools to focus less on uniform rules and more on preparing for life after school.
The Conversation • 9 May 2025
Stepmums, alien mums, robot mums, vengeful mums: 7 films to watch this Mother’s Day
This year, why not celebrate with films that capture the beauty and chaos of motherhood.
The Conversation • 8 May 2025
What is a blood cholesterol ratio? And what should yours be?
Cholesterol tests check the components of fat in your blood and compare them to normal ranges. Your clinician might also use ratios to compare different types.
The Conversation • 7 May 2025
Australia doesn’t have a federal Human Rights Act – but the election clears the way for overdue reform
On election night, the prime minister talked about ‘fairness’ and ‘Australian values’. To legally protect those values, we need a national human rights act.
The Conversation • 6 May 2025
Fatigué de manger toujours la même chose ? Voici cinq pistes pour diversifier vos repas
Apportez de la variété à votre alimentation et améliorez vos apports en nutriments en suivant ces quelques conseils simples à mettre en œuvre.
The Conversation • 2 May 2025
Explainer: what mental health support do refugees and asylum seekers get in Australia?
Addressing key barriers to refugees accessing mental health services is in everyone’s best interest.
The Conversation • 30 Apr 2025
Sick of eating the same things? 5 ways to boost your nutrition and keep meals interesting and healthy
Small dietary changes can make a big difference to how you feel, how your body functions and health indicators such as blood pressure.
The Conversation • 29 Apr 2025
The Christian Right is taking over America, according to Talia Lavin – but what is the best response?
Wild Faith is a one-sided response to the rise of Christianity’s far-right fringe. Too often, it seems more like an apoplectic rant than a serious exposé.
The Conversation • 21 Apr 2025
Pope Francis tried to change the Catholic Church for women, with mixed success
Pope Francis is being remembered as a pastoral leader – and in some ways, his treatment of women in the Catholic Church was unprecedented. But he could have done more.
The Conversation • 11 Apr 2025
Better cleaning of hospital equipment could cut patient infections by one-third – and save money
A new study has found improving cleaning practices in hospital could make a big difference. Here’s what the researchers did.
The Conversation • 27 Mar 2025
Tiny robot tools powered by magnets could one day do brain surgery without cutting open the skull
Robotic tools are too big for ‘keyhole’ brain surgery – but a new miniature technology using magnets could change all that.
The Conversation • 26 Mar 2025
Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health – and 3 things to avoid
Most dental diseases are preventable – if you look after your teeth and mouth.
The Conversation • 24 Mar 2025
Adelaide Hills water crisis: a local problem is a global wake-up call
Water is being trucked into the Adelaide Hills and surrounds to fill empty rainwater tanks and dams. Is there a better way to cope with future water shortages?
The Conversation • 21 Mar 2025
Vengeful ghost cat, divorce lizard, phantom horse: the animals that haunted Ancient Rome and Greece
The handful animal ghosts in the ancient world are often depicted not as friendly visitors but as mere tools for humans – and are often used to do evil.
The Conversation • 19 Mar 2025
Laws governing space are 50 years old. New ones are needed to prevent it becoming a ‘wild west’
Private companies are now major players in space. How can they be held accountable if they damage the property of others or trash the Moon?
The Conversation • 13 Mar 2025
The High Court made a landmark decision on native title law. Here’s what it means
The High Court ruled the Gumatj Clan was eligible for compensation for mining on their land decades ago. It changes our understanding of how native title law works.
The Conversation • 7 Mar 2025
More than two-thirds of organisations have a formal work-from-home policy. Here’s how the benefits stack up
Researchers at the Australian Workplace Index have found the negative impacts of working from home they originally uncovered in a 2022 survey had reversed in 2024.
The Conversation • 10 Feb 2025
A century in motion: how stop-motion films went from obscure ‘creature features’ to winning Oscars
Stop motion has evolved monumentally since the first feature came out 100 years ago – yet it hasn’t lost its delicate charm.
The Conversation • 30 Jan 2025
New evidence confirms our Indigenous languages have a common source, but how they spread remains a mystery
Standard rates of diversification predict there should be many unrelated Indigenous languages on the mainland. But this is not the case.
The Conversation • 16 Jan 2025
Remembering Simon Townsend as a conscientious objector and fearless anti-Vietnam War activist
When Simon Townsend was a fledgling journalist in his early 20s, he fought fearlessly against the draft and was imprisoned twice for his pacifist beliefs.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.