By Robyn Tyler, Senior Researcher, University of the Western Cape
South African no-fee primary schools use African languages as well as English for teaching and testing. Before 2025, children started learning in their home language in the first three years and then switched to English in Grade 4 (aged 10 and 11). Now, bilingual education is extending gradually into the upper primary grades.
South Africa’s public basic education system serves roughly 12.7…
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By Rose Gann, Professor of Politics Education, Nottingham Trent University
Ana Isabel Nunes, Senior Lecturer in Social and Political Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
This year’s A-level results show a significant increase in the number of students choosing to study politics. In fact, politics saw the largest year-on-year increase of all A-level subjects in the UK, with entries up 11.9% this year compared with 2025.
This is an additional 2,639 students – up from 22,185 to 24,824. Politics still accounts for only 3% of all A-levels studied across the UK in 2026. This increase comes on the back of increases…
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By Marc Van Goethem, Microbial ecologist, University of Pretoria
Microbial ecology (the study of how tiny microbes interact with each other and their environment) underpins the health of every ecosystem on Earth. The microbes living in soil recycle nutrients, support plant growth and help ecosystems respond to environmental change. In this explainer, microbial ecologist Marc Van Goethem tells us why microbes are critical to human life. They can…
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By David James Cantor, Director of the Refugee Law Initiative, School of Advanced Study, University of London
The eruption of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in May 2026 sparked a major crisis.
Transmissions and deaths are skyrocketing, and no vaccine is currently available.
This virus is notably…
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By Rebecca L. Clark, Postdoctoral Fellow in Philosophy, London School of Economics and Political Science
An Australian state is set to introduce a law supporting the right to work from home, and it’s already in place for some parents in Portugal. Should it happen elsewhere?
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By Xueyu Geng, Professor in Ground Engineering, University of Warwick
Heatwaves can cause tracks to buckle, forcing speed restrictions or closures. An engineering expert explains how railways can adapt to a hotter climate.
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By Anna Jackman, Associate Professor in Human Geography, University of Reading
From the Ukraine war and suspected drone sightings at Europe’s busiest airports to the seizure of over 700 unauthorised drones during the 2026 Fifa World Cup, the skies above us and news reporting are abuzz with drones.
Spanning different sizes and functions, drones have become essential military tools and mainstays of contemporary conflicts. This is depicted by the saturation of the Russia-Ukraine…
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By Lydia Scholle-Cotton, PhD Candidate, Education, Queen's University, Ontario
Cheryl Lee-Yow, PhD Student in Education, Queen's University, Ontario
Emily Luo, PhD Student in Education, Queen's University, Ontario
A survey and workshop project is designed to help educators reflect on their comfort with genAI, assessment and educational practices and their fears and challenges.
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By Weilong Zhang, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Cambridge
Britain’s postwar sugar rationing was an accidental experiment. Decades on, it’s revealing how early diet shapes cancer risk, ageing and eating habits for life.
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By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex
Prime ministers aren’t lasting long in the job these days – and data shows that the UK is slipping on some measures of governance.
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