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Headspace: can our brains get full?

Headspace: can our brains get full?

Your brain doesn’t run out of space – it runs out of attention. The science of why two people can live the same moment and remember it very...

yesterday 8

The Conversation

Michelle Spear

The Russian resistance no one is talking about

The Russian resistance no one is talking about

Russians do not fall into a single, neat, complicit mass.

yesterday 8

The Conversation

Oula kadhum

High petrol prices are fuelling interest in EVs. Here’s how this could bring down electricity bills

High petrol prices are fuelling interest in EVs. Here’s how this could bring down electricity bills

With oil prices skyrocketing following the US and Israel’s bombing of Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, motorists around the...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Renaud Foucart

How to Enter the Art World by Hettie Judah offers a smørgasbord of sage advice

How to Enter the Art World by Hettie Judah offers a smørgasbord of sage advice

This is a book that takes the complex needs of older artists seriously.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Benedict Carpenter Van Barthold

Codeine: why one person’s painkiller can be another person’s problem

Codeine: why one person’s painkiller can be another person’s problem

Codeine is one of the UK’s most familiar painkillers, yet the same dose can be helpful, useless or risky depending on how a person’s body...

yesterday 8

The Conversation

Dipa Kamdar

How Antarctica warmed by 28°C in the depths of winter – and what it signals for the decades ahead

How Antarctica warmed by 28°C in the depths of winter – and what it signals for the decades ahead

A new study highlights one of the largest temperature anomalies recorded anywhere, ever.

yesterday 6

The Conversation

Haosu tang

Palantir and the NHS – 10 things you need to know

Palantir and the NHS – 10 things you need to know

What Palantir’s £330 million NHS data contract means for patients, privacy and the future of healthcare data in the UK.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Eerke Boiten

Orbán’s election loss frees up €90 billion for Kyiv but raises thorny question of EU membership for Ukraine

Orbán’s election loss frees up €90 billion for Kyiv but raises thorny question of EU membership for Ukraine

There’s no easy way to fasttrack Kyiv into the EU.

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Stefan Wolff

Prime ministers have always faced political scandals – so why can’t they weather them now?

Prime ministers have always faced political scandals – so why can’t they weather them now?

UK prime ministers today are about as secure in their jobs as football managers.

yesterday 6

The Conversation

Paul Whiteley

Pets, plants and a ‘coming‑of‑old‑age’ story – what to see and watch this week

Pets, plants and a ‘coming‑of‑old‑age’ story – what to see and watch this week

When I saw the Brazilian film The Blue Trail at the Leeds Film Festival earlier this year, it felt like a breath of fresh air.

yesterday 8

The Conversation

Anna Walker

Needlecraft: this hobby has a long history as a subversive form of protest

Needlecraft: this hobby has a long history as a subversive form of protest

Actor Judi Dench was known for creating expletive-filled insults worked in ornate embroidery.

yesterday 6

The Conversation

Helen Pleasance

Why delaying climate action now means higher seas by 2100 – new research

Why delaying climate action now means higher seas by 2100 – new research

If all glaciers melt, sea level will rise by about 24cm. If the polar ice sheets melt, sea level will rise by more than 65m; almost 300 times more.

yesterday 4

The Conversation

Helen millman

Why Italy’s Giorgia Meloni broke with Donald Trump

Why Italy’s Giorgia Meloni broke with Donald Trump

While the US president may have exited Meloni’s political picture, Trumpism has not.

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Margherita de candia

Could warming seas bring great white sharks back to the North Sea? A 5‑million‑year‑old shark tooth may provide clues

Could warming seas bring great white sharks back to the North Sea? A 5‑million‑year‑old shark tooth may provide clues

Could new populations of seals and porpoises attract the descendants of some of the large shark species that were thriving in this region 4-5 million...

yesterday 1

The Conversation

John Stewart

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is an early exploration of ‘romance fraud’

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens is an early exploration of ‘romance fraud’

Although romance fraud is a 21st-century term, through the character of Havisham, Dickens clearly demonstrated its often-devastating effects.

yesterday 7

The Conversation

Emma Linford

The many literary lives of Mary Wollstonecraft – author of novels, travel writing and children’s books

The many literary lives of Mary Wollstonecraft – author of novels, travel writing and children’s books

Wollstonecraft’s literary career was dedicated to questioning power, society and the roles assigned to women.

yesterday 1

The Conversation

Aditi Upmanyu

Strait of Hormuz: Iran’s ‘nuclear deterrent’

Strait of Hormuz: Iran’s ‘nuclear deterrent’

Iran’s greatest deterrent is its geography, as the stand-off in the Strait is proving.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Jonathan Este

AI has crossed a threshold – what Claude Mythos means for the future of cybersecurity

AI has crossed a threshold – what Claude Mythos means for the future of cybersecurity

Independent tests suggest Mythos Preview is a major leap forward in the ability of AI to act as a truly autonomous agent.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Gerald Mako

Mandelson vetting: Starmer’s reluctance to engage with the details shows a lack of political leadership

Mandelson vetting: Starmer’s reluctance to engage with the details shows a lack of political leadership

Starmer has outsourced political judgment and party management to others.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Stefan Stern

How scientists changed their view of insomnia

How scientists changed their view of insomnia

We have probably all had the experience of lying awake in bed, our mind turning, unable to sleep.

previous day 5

The Conversation

Iuliana hartescu

What a ‘post‑antibiotic era’ could mean for modern medicine

What a ‘post‑antibiotic era’ could mean for modern medicine

The drugs that transformed medicine are losing their power, raising fears of a post-antibiotic era in which common infections kill.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Steven W. Kerrigan

Has the Strait of Hormuz emerged as Iran’s most powerful form of deterrence?

Has the Strait of Hormuz emerged as Iran’s most powerful form of deterrence?

Iran’s confidence in having proven its ability to blockade Hormuz may provide cover for dialling down its nuclear ambiguity posture.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Christian Emery

How Israel’s history has shaped the way it wages war

How Israel’s history has shaped the way it wages war

Hebrew studies expert Yaron Peleg tells The Conversation Weekly how Israel’s self‑image change from self‑reliance to aggressive militarism.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Gemma Ware

What Mandelson vetting row reveals about escalating tensions between ministers and civil servants

What Mandelson vetting row reveals about escalating tensions between ministers and civil servants

Ties between ministers and civil servants have atrophied.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Patrick Diamond

Why some countries give away free electricity and even pay consumers to use it

Why some countries give away free electricity and even pay consumers to use it

Consumers in some countries are already being offered free electricity when renewables bring in extra power.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Salma al arefi

Supplements for menopause: here’s what the evidence actually says

Supplements for menopause: here’s what the evidence actually says

Magnesium, lion’s mane, creatine and collagen are marketed for perimenopause and menopause symptoms. But the evidence shows their benefits may be...

previous day 9

The Conversation

Dipa Kamdar

Ban on phones in schools: support for headteachers or unnecessary legislation?

Ban on phones in schools: support for headteachers or unnecessary legislation?

If the practice is already widespread, why make it law?

previous day 10

The Conversation

Andy Phippen

The Duolingo taxi test – could being rude to the driver cost you your dream job?

The Duolingo taxi test – could being rude to the driver cost you your dream job?

Is it right for a potential employer to assess you without your knowledge?

previous day 8

The Conversation

Janina Steinmetz

Turner prize 2026 shortlist points to sculpture as a way of thinking about power, ecology and belief

Turner prize 2026 shortlist points to sculpture as a way of thinking about power, ecology and belief

A shortlist that challenges dominant artistic norms.

previous day 8

The Conversation

Martin Lang

Euphoria: thoughtless depictions of adults pretending to be sexualised infants are extremely harmful

Euphoria: thoughtless depictions of adults pretending to be sexualised infants are extremely harmful

Cassie dresses as a baby with a dummy and pigtails to create sexual content.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Sophie King-Hill

Joan Eardley: ‘she would set up her canvas on the shore and paint in the lashing wind and rain like a woman possessed’

Joan Eardley: ‘she would set up her canvas on the shore and paint in the lashing wind and rain like a woman possessed’

This exhibition places Eardley within an international art world which blends post-impressionism, social realism and abstraction.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Blane Savage

Chernobyl: the five best things to watch and play to understand the disaster

Chernobyl: the five best things to watch and play to understand the disaster

Can we ever really understand Chernobyl? These five shows and videogames give a pretty good glimpse of what the disaster entailed.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Fannie frederikke baden

Why Sweden’s ban on fossil fuel production matters, despite not producing any itself – new research

Why Sweden’s ban on fossil fuel production matters, despite not producing any itself – new research

The ban prevents future fossil fuel production in Sweden – but that’s just the start.

previous day 3

The Conversation

Lukas Slothuus

Middle East conflict looks increasingly like a war nobody can win

Middle East conflict looks increasingly like a war nobody can win

But the longer it continues the more damage it does to the whole world.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Bamo Nouri

Our unsung hero of science: Friedrich Miescher, the man who discovered DNA

Our unsung hero of science: Friedrich Miescher, the man who discovered DNA

Working on human pus in a medieval castle, Miescher discovered a substance that would eventually unlock our understanding of how life works.

wednesday 7

The Conversation

Kersten Hall

Five health conditions mothers can develop after giving birth

Five health conditions mothers can develop after giving birth

Even after giving birth, the body goes through many widespread changes.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Adam Taylor

Microplastics have been found to interact with the gut microbiome – here’s what health effects they might have

Microplastics have been found to interact with the gut microbiome – here’s what health effects they might have

If the gut microbiome is disturbed, it could jeopardise our gut health.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Nick Ilott

Middle East conflict: how the US and Iran could step back from the brink

Middle East conflict: how the US and Iran could step back from the brink

The was appears to be at a dangerous stalemate. But there are ways for both sides to find an off-ramp.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

David J. Galbreath

Reading shortcuts for children may be popular, but the research doesn’t back them up

Reading shortcuts for children may be popular, but the research doesn’t back them up

Books matter because they expose children to a broader and richer vocabulary than everyday conversation.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Holly Joseph

Understanding incel culture – and how schools can address it

Understanding incel culture – and how schools can address it

Pressure is mounting for teachers now expected to cover incel culture during their classes.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

David Smith

Mandelson vetting scandal: why Whitehall is the worst of all worlds when it comes to accountability

Mandelson vetting scandal: why Whitehall is the worst of all worlds when it comes to accountability

Behind speculation around Starmer’s future stands a deeper set of constitutional questions regarding accountability and standards in public life.

wednesday 4

The Conversation

Nathan Critch

Chernobyl’s wildlife: the real story isn’t the presence of radiation – it’s the absence of humans

Chernobyl’s wildlife: the real story isn’t the presence of radiation – it’s the absence of humans

Is radiation really changing Chornobyl’s dogs? It’s a great story, but not supported by evidence.

wednesday 1

The Conversation

Jim Smith

The Strait of Hormuz shows how everything is now about leverage

The Strait of Hormuz shows how everything is now about leverage

Controlling supply chains puts a country in a very powerful position.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Renaud Foucart

How Bafta helped elevate the video game to a respected art form worthy of celebration

How Bafta helped elevate the video game to a respected art form worthy of celebration

Recognition by Bafta and investment by the UK government reveals just how far video gaming has come in terms of being a respected art form.

wednesday 6

The Conversation

Charlotte gislam

What intentional communities can teach us about resilience amid global instability

What intentional communities can teach us about resilience amid global instability

As global crises drive up costs and uncertainty, intentional communities offer ideas for how to share resources, cut bills and build resilience...

wednesday 2

The Conversation

Kirsten Stevens-Wood

Edible orchids are being overharvested in the Mediterranean – how to protect these astonishing blooms

Edible orchids are being overharvested in the Mediterranean – how to protect these astonishing blooms

To protect orchids from the risks of overexploitation and trade, orchid material cannot be internationally traded without permits.

wednesday 7

The Conversation

Susanne masters

Seeds of Exchange reveals the untold story of the plant collectors who connected Canton and London in the 18th century

Seeds of Exchange reveals the untold story of the plant collectors who connected Canton and London in the 18th century

Their story crosses continents, cultures, languages and time.

wednesday 7

The Conversation

Max carter-brown

Consent is a core principle in the Kamasutra – what we can learn from it today

Consent is a core principle in the Kamasutra – what we can learn from it today

Good sex is only achieved through effective communication and mutual understanding, according to the Kamasutra. Consent is key to all of this

21.04.2026 9

The Conversation

Sharha

Fining hospitals for medical misogyny won’t help women – it will hurt them

Fining hospitals for medical misogyny won’t help women – it will hurt them

Wes Streeting wants to dock hospital budgets to fix NHS misogyny. The cure may be worse than the disease.

21.04.2026 10

The Conversation

Philip broadbent

From floppy discs to Claude Mythos, how ransomware grew into a multibillion‑dollar industry

From floppy discs to Claude Mythos, how ransomware grew into a multibillion‑dollar industry

The first piece of ransomware was sent it out on 20,0000 floppy discs in 1989, to raise awareness of health- rather than cyber-hygiene.

21.04.2026 7

The Conversation

Anja Shortland