Time for ‘Airbnb’ for energy?

Could the future of energy lie in the sharing economy? New research shows energy sharing platforms may be the key to supporting our transition to new tech and cleaner power, while delivering reliable energy for consumers.

Politicians are fuelling the fire

Populist politicians around the world are stoking fears about immigration, with damaging effects on the fabric of society.

The shape of far-right extremism in Australia

Right-wing politicians like Pauline Hanson and Fraser Anning have tapped into popular concerns about immigration for political purposes, but in the process have probably generated recruits for extremist organisations.

Backing the strengths of young indigenous people

Aboriginal youth know who they are and where they want to go, and we need to use these strengths if we are to close the health and employment gap between Australia’s disparate populations.

Groundbreaking survey of childhood maltreatment underway

A $2.3 million five-year study of the prevalence and effects of child maltreatment in Australia, the most comprehensive national study of its type, is underway.

Looking deeper into violence against people with disability

The recently announced royal commission into the abuse of people with disability needs to be backed by budget measures and research into the complex nature of violence and abuse as well as societal shifts in the concept of ‘disability’ itself.

How advocacy helps build rural, regional and remote internet connectivity

The success of a community action group in boosting internet access to remote communities in Queensland could help Pacific Islanders achieve similar improvements across their region.

Sounding the death knell for capital punishment

A new institute is pushing for the global elimination of the death penalty, but much work remains to be done.

Australia needs a new strategy to deal with illicit drug use

Australia’s first responders are dealing with an ever-growing number of drug emergencies and the problem of addiction to prescribed opioids is also on the rise.

Rethinking traffic congestion

While traffic congestion annoys every commuter every day at peak hours, it’s less of a social or economic problem than politicians, planners and the public seem to think.

Australia’s populist moment has arrived

Populism is driven by the view that everyday people are suffering economic hardship as the corporate and political elites prosper. A sense of rising inequality and injustice is the foundation stone of populist rhetoric and these themes are set to surface at the next election.

Would cockroaches really survive a nuclear war?

Cockroaches have a reputation for resilience, even when it comes to surviving a nuclear bomb and radiation – but would they really outlive us all? Exposed to radiation, cockroaches fare worse than the humble fruit fly.