The start of a new space age

Australians can take pride in their contribution to the first space age in the second half of the 20th century, but effort is needed if we are to optimise our position in this new era.

Batteries included

Community-scale batteries are already achievable in Australia, will complement existing household batteries and will allow more solar energy to be stored in our suburbs, according to analysis from The Australian National University.   

The case for dedicated quarantine facilities

The Federal government has just announced it will help fund the building of a quarantine facility in Victoria, and UNSW academics wonder why it has taken this long.

The power of indigenous data

Government has recognised the importance of Indigenous Data to Closing the Gap, but datasets need to be community-driven and owned if they are to be most effective.

(Not) closing the gap

Gaping policy shortfalls in the Australian Government’s ‘Closing the Gap’ program have seen it fail to reduce disparities in Indigenous health, income, employment, child removal and incarceration, Flinders University researchers say.

Building on reforms to aged care

The Federal budget is a promising step in the right direction, but more is needed to achieve the high standard of aged care Australia has the capacity to provide, and older Australians deserve.

The myths and realities of youth crime in northern Australia

State and territory governments should address the problem of youth crime in northern Australia with coordinated justice and child protection policies.

English football fans: Lamenting a lost world

The uniformly hostile reaction by fans across Europe to the breakaway European Super League humbled its participants and provoked a swift u-turn, but also shone a light on the changing nature of fandom itself.

Double your chances

Research shows that studying for a double degree at University can greatly improve new graduates’ prospects of finding full-time work.

Self-driving cars remain a pipe-dream

Self-driving cars still face many hurdles before they become a common and accepted site on the nation’s roads.

Competition isn’t improving the aged care sector

A new study finds more competition isn’t associated with better quality of care or lower prices in aged care, prompting policy reform to address sources of market failures.

Connecting older Australians and pre-schoolers to improve mental health

The health benefits of intergenerational activity, such as reducing frailty, will be assessed by UNSW researchers. Early research suggests intergenerational activities might reduce frailty in older adults, and improve empathy and language development in younger participants.