Arts and Society
Influencing the cultural conversation
Arts and Society
Influencing the cultural conversation
Dido & Aeneas, an opera and circus in one: a review
The epic tale of a Trojan hero is given an acrobatic twist in Opera Queensland’s production of Dido & Aeneas, writes Macquarie University Professor of Ancient History Ray Laurence.
From Mozart's sister to Madame Clicquot - the sisterhood’s hidden treasures
For millennia, sisters, mothers, wives and daughters have been sacrificed at the altar of male greatness. On International Woman’s Day, Dr Rebecca Sheehan, Senior Lecturer in History and Gender Studies, reminds us of a work in progress.
Please explain: Why do archaeologists keep digging?
More than a century after Tutankhamun's tomb was uncovered, a British-Egyptian team has discovered the tomb of another pharaoh, King Thutmose II. Archaeologist Dr Karin Sowada explains why the discovery of a royal tomb – even one largely bereft of artifacts – is big news.
Hadestown does it again: a review
You don’t have to be a scholar of classical Greek mythology to enjoy the Australian Opera’s latest production of the multi-Tony award-winning musical Hadestown, now on at Sydney’s Theatre Royal. But this guide to the tales of gods versus mortals from ancient historian Tanika Koosmen will help.
Only the Astronauts: book of space stories reveals secret lives of galactic junk
In her new book, social anthropologist Dr Ceridwen Dovey explores the imaginary tales of human-made objects adrift in outer space, using real events as her inspiration. Here Dr Dovey unveils the motive behind her 'characters' which include the International Space Station and the Voyager 1 space probe.
What you'll discover at the new Pompeii exhibition: review
Newly discovered objects never seen outside Europe are on display at Canberra's National Museum of Australia as part of a new, immersive Pompeii exhibition, on until May. Archaeologist Professor Ray Laurence reviews the must-see items offering insight into everyday life in the Italian city that was buried in a volcanic eruption in 79 CE.
Do video games change the way we think about history?
How do video games influence our understanding of the past? Abbie Hartman, curator of a new exhibition at Macquarie University History Museum on the evolution of gaming, explains.
Gladiator II: How historically accurate is it?
Movie review: Historian Professor Ray Laurence casts his expert eye over the details of the just-opened blockbuster sequel.
Teacher shortage: how to attract our best and brightest to the profession
Opinion: Education researcher Dr Janet Dutton says while everybody wants their children taught by the best teachers, they don't want their children to be teachers. Dr Dutton tackles some of the reasons behind the shortage and proposes steps that could return teaching to a profession our brightest students want to enter.
Fearful of the future? Let us count the ways
Whether its asteroids, volcanoes, artificial intelligence (AI) or climate change that keeps you up at night, a new book by Professor of Media John Potts examines how hope can coexist with angst, as he traces human's fear of the future from prehistory to the present.
Trump v Harris: the polls, popular vote and electoral college explained
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are neck-and-neck in the polls with a week to go until the US presidential election. Dr Lloyd Cox, senior lecturer in US political history, explains the voting system and looks to the past for clues about who will win.
Fighting back against Frankenwords, zombie nouns and gobbledygook: Celebrating Plain Language Day
The global recognition of the necessity for the promotion and facilitation of straightforwardly comprehensible communication practices is imminent. In other words, it’ll soon be International Plain Language Day.