Topics
We need to talk about what smartphones are doing to kids’ brains
OPINION: The Federal Government has announced raising the minimum age for social media to 16 over mental health concerns, but researchers are also worried about potential loss of brain function. Professor Mark Williams says there may be a link between excessive screen use and younger-onset dementia.
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.
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.
Teens' social media damage can't be fixed without legislation
Dr Danielle Einstein explains why Australia needs nationwide legislation to force social media companies to take responsibility for their part in driving hostile behaviour and teen anxiety.
Pay win - will it be enough to stem the exodus of early childhood workers?
Opinion: After decades of advocacy by unions, stakeholders and academics to recognise the complex skill set needed by early childhood educators, workers will take home more money from December 2024. But early education researcher Dr Tamara Cumming says a wage rise is only part of the solution.
Please explain: Why can't Australian airlines stay in the air?
Rex Airlines this week joined Air Australia, Bonza, Compass Airlines, Impulse Airlines, OzJet and Tigerair on the list of new carriers that have not been able to compete on major routes in Australia since 1990. Economist Dr Paul Crosby explains why new airlines fail to take off.
Let the healing begin
Opinion: A new report led by Distinguished Professor Bronwyn Carlson, from Macquarie University’s Department of Critical Indigenous Studies, explores the future of healing programs that address family violence.
New NAPLAN targets a postive step for individual schools
Opinion: Following the NSW Government's scrapping of existing NAPLAN targets to report on student improvements, Dr Janet Dutton examines the advantages of the new plan where principals have the power to choose the achievement goals that work best for their own schools.
COVID-19 pandemic “a dress rehearsal” for climate change
As climate change pushes the weather into more frequent extremes worldwide, we can expect some health conditions to become more common and their symptoms more severe. But is our healthcare system set up to cope? Professor Jeffrey Braithwaite says the short answer is no.
Can the budget address cost of living without heating up inflation?
OPINION: In handing down his third budget, Treasurer Jim Chalmers made efforts to alleviate the cost of living but he has a long way to go to reduce inflation. Dr Ben Wang from the Macquarie Business School explains.
Bewitched by Bridgerton? Why Regency Era romances capture our hearts
The countdown is on for the season three premiere of the Netflix hit on May 16. Macquarie University Associate Professor of Literature Stephanie Russo explains why the years between 1811 and 1820 are universally acknowledged as the most popular British period in history in which to set a love story.
What if Juliet didn't die at the end of Romeo and Juliet?
Associate Professor of Literature Dr Stephanie Russo reviews the new musical reimagining of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, on now at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.