The evolution of communication

Scientific progress has allowed mankind to adopt ever more sophisticated modes of communication, and this process is set to continue, perhaps allowing us to contact lifeforms beyond our own world.

Governments v big tech

This year’s headlines delivered news of an array of concerning data and privacy violations from the world’s biggest tech players, but it also seemed to be the year governments around the world addressed the problem head on.

Realising Australia’s quantum potential

Quantum technology represents a major opportunity for Australian research and strategic interests.

Enter the xenobots

Will a new generation of self-replicating ‘xenobots’ cure diseases, produce terrifying new bioweapons, or turn the whole world into grey goo?

Benchmarking critical technologies

Technology policy formulation has gained a renewed importance for governments in the era of strategic competition, but contextual understanding and expertise in deciding where to focus efforts are lacking.

The UN’s open science framework could supercharge progress

All Australian research should be open to access, both domestically and internationally, and research conducted overseas should be freely available to read in Australia.

The new face of Australian science

Nanotechnology pioneer Distinguished Professor Chennupati Jagadish will become the next president of Australia’s premier science organisation, the Australian Academy of Science.

Surveillance nation

Online monitoring raises serious questions about privacy and rights, but where justified it can be used for good if organisations consider wider issues like transparency and fairness.

Australia can lead the way to a low carbon economy

Australia has shown that we are capable of great ideas in a wide variety of areas – from food production to energy generation and automated systems for mining and computer control – which could power the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Open all hours

Inspired by a European open-access initiative, Chief Scientist Cathy Foley wants to make all publicly funded Australian research publications free for the public to read.

Investing in quantum technology

Australia needs to initiate a strategic investment in quantum technology as a national priority.

Even space is overcrowded

Ceridwen Dovey has won the 2021 UNSW Press Bragg Prize for Science Writing for her essay on the dangers posed by man-made debris in space.