• Health

    Preventing the next pandemic


    Open Forum |  March 28, 2024


    Could protecting one group of people from disease, and exposing another to it, be the best way to prevent as many deaths as possible and reduce the impact of a future pandemic?


  • Culture

    Among the narcissus


    Marguerite Johnson |  March 28, 2024


    The vain, self obsessed Narcissus is among the best-known figures from Greek mythology, and his story and fate have continued relevance today in an age of social media and self-obsession.


  • Human Interest

    Conspiracy thinking


    Darel Cookson |  March 28, 2024


    Conspiracy theories are often assumed to appeal to people of limited education, but Intelligence doesn’t make you immune, it’s all a question of your thinking style.


Latest Story

  • Women, mining and conflict in the Asia–Pacific

    Alison Davidian     |      March 30, 2019

    As our region grapples with the responsible management of natural resources, it’s critical that our policies and programming are rooted in advancing the women, peace and security agenda.

  • A reset in housing policy is long overdue

    Duncan Maclennan     |      March 29, 2019

    The problems with housing systems in Australia and similar countries run deep. Solutions depend on a fundamental rethink of our approach to housing and its central place in our lives and the economy.

  • Five ways to talk to kids about climate change (and have fun too)

    Lucy Goodchild van Hilten     |      March 29, 2019

    The environmental crisis should be part of everyday conversations with parents today if we want our children to be part of the solution tomorrow.

  • Water, water, not everywhere

    Paul Satur     |      March 29, 2019

    Safe and clean access to water and sanitation is still not a right afforded to everyone, even in Australia, but tapping into a new way of thinking about water could benefit everyone.

  • Employment opportunity at Global Access Partners

    Catherine Fritz-Kalish     |      March 28, 2019

    Are you interested in organising events and meetings to discuss high level policy issues? The publisher of Open Forum, Global Access Partners, is seeking a part time Assistant Project Manager for an immediate start and welcomes applications from suitable candidates.

  • White supremacy and the Australian politics of race

    Dominic O'Sullivan     |      March 28, 2019

    When an Australian white supremacist killed 50 people, and injured 50 others, in two New Zealand mosques last week, the politics of race and religious hatred merged into one. Decisive leadership is required to stamp out racism in out country, but there’s little sign that our politicians will provide it.

  • Online data – What can we do to protect it?

    Nick Galov     |      March 28, 2019

    It’s a battle to protect your personal data online, but you can improve your odds against the hackers and scammers by following these simple, but often overlooked, safeguards.

  • Our phones leave us tired and less productive

    Open Forum     |      March 28, 2019

    ‘Technoference’ is causing an increasing number of Australians to lose sleep, be less productive at work and even try to hide their phone use, with new QUT-led research showing 24 per cent of women and 15 per cent of men can now be classified as ‘problematic mobile phone users’.

  • Melbourne should use its desalination plants

    Andrew Western     |      March 27, 2019

    Turning on the Wonthaggi water desalination plant now rather than later will save money in the long run and head off an emergency later for the city of Melbourne.

  • Australia short changes migrant workers

    Joo-Cheong Tham     |      March 27, 2019

    Australia’s Fairwork Commission has examined more than a dozen cases of wage theft this year, involving hundreds of migrant workers and millions of dollars in underpayments.

  • Australian technology could power more efficient space launches

    Open Forum     |      March 27, 2019

    An efficient and cost-effective satellite launch platform could soon be coming to Australia thanks to a new engine being developed by University of Sydney combustion experts.

  • Aussie parents are under pressure to buy their kids academic advantage too

    Kellie Bousfield     |      March 26, 2019

    A number of rich and famous American parents, including actress Felicity Huffman, have been accused of buying, bribing or lying to get their children into prestigious colleges, but Australia is also rife with parents doing everything they can to further their childrens’ education.