By Seth Robinson, Lecturer in Creative Practice and Public Humanities, The University of Melbourne
Homer’s The Odyssey has long been held up as a powerful example of “the hero’s journey” – a narrative structure that has dominated storytelling for millennia.
The epic poem follows the story of Odysseus, a hero celebrated for his intelligence, determination and cunning, while also being deceitful, hubristic and, at times, murderous. He is a flawed hero; one we might even view as problematic in a modern context.
Today, the hero’s journey appears across popular texts, films and media franchises,…
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By Htwe Htwe Thein, Associate Professor in International Management, Curtin University
Southeast Asian leaders say direct diplomacy with Myanmar is the only way to end the five-year civil war. Opponents of the military regime aren’t convinced.
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By Peter Hurley, Associate Professor and Director, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University
Melinda Hildebrandt, Education Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University
Sarah Pilcher, Director, Peter Noonan Policy Impact Program, Mitchell Institute, Victoria University
The most recent data shows the total number of international students living in Australia is slightly lower than what it was before lockdowns.
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By Eloise Stevens, Host, The Conversation's Curious Kids podcast, The Conversation
Gemma Ware, Head of Audio, The Conversation UK, The Conversation
Nine-year-old Eva was watching an episode of the children’s show Horrible Histories about the stone age recently when a question popped into her head. The cave men were speaking a broken form of English, but Eva thought that didn’t sound right and she wondered: how was the first language formed?
She joined our host Eloise to get some answers from anthropologist April Nowell on The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast.
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By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
The Middle East debate is expected to be one of the few points of serious contention at this week’s national conference.
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By Human Rights Watch
Click to expand Image A farmer walks amidst rubble after a bomb was dropped by the Ecuadorian army in the Lago Agrio region, Sucumbíos province, Ecuador, on the border with Colombia, on March 18, 2026. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa presented the operation to the press as the first airstrike in the “joint operations” with Washington against drug trafficking, announcing the destruction of an alleged training camp belonging to the Border Commands, an armed group. © 2026 Luis Acosta / AFP via Getty Images Ordinary people were subjected to torture and arbitrary detention in a partnered…
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By Nic Rawlence, Associate Professor in Ancient DNA, University of Otago
As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was life changing.
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By Gary Mortimer, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Queensland University of Technology
But even when an app is free, there are downsides to watch out for – including how your choices can help advertisers better target you in real life.
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By Wendy M Goff, Associate Professor Mathematics, Acting Head of the School of Education (Victoria) Australian Catholic University, Australian Catholic University
Australia had high hopes of an historic World Cup knockout round win after progressing through the group stage.
However, a painful Round of 32 exit, losing a penalty shootout to Egypt, raised familiar questions about the state of soccer in Australia.
These conversations generally centre on:
- was the preparation leading up to the World Cup the…
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By Mariam Farida, Lecturer in Security Studies, Macquarie University
Hezbollah faces an uncertain future as the Lebanese public becomes disillusioned with it. Here are four scenarios for what the group could do next.
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