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Federal initiatives like the My School website have distracted from the debate. Photo: AAP.

State of NSW: Education debate hones in on photocopiers, bank accounts but few ideas

Geoffrey Sherington, University of Sydney

Voters in New South Wales could be forgiven for thinking that education simply isn’t something they should consider when heading to the ballot box on Saturday. It’s a vital issue in many people’s minds…

Both major parties in the NSW election campaign have pledged to increase spending on hospitals. AAP/Paul Miller

State of NSW: What next for patients suffering health reform fatigue?

Amanda Dominello, University of Sydney; Angela Beaton, University of Sydney, and Stephen Leeder, University of Sydney

The debate about health in the lead-up to the Saturday March 26 NSW election has been unusually civilised and intelligent. The main contestants – the current minister, Carmel Tebbutt, and shadow minister…

Sometimes it’s not easy to forget the link between meat and animals. Ariel Dovas

The meat paradox: how we can love some animals and eat others

Brock Bastian, The University of Queensland

Why do we feel sick at the thought of eating dog, but hungry at the thought of eating pig (bacon) with our eggs? Or how we can feel so outraged about whaling while continuing to enjoy fish and chips? Why…

Cattle grazing in Alpine National Park is not supported by science. foxypar4 on flickr

Science the loser in Victoria’s alpine grazing trial

Georgia Garrard, RMIT University and Libby Rumpff, The University of Melbourne

In January, 400 cattle were released into Victoria’s Alpine National Park as part of a research trial to investigate the influence of strategic grazing as a tool to reduce fuel loads and bush fire risk…

Universities need to participate in a wider dialogue. Tulane Public Relations

Better connecting the university to the public debate

Glyn Davis, The University of Melbourne

Foundation Essay – A democracy needs conversations that range broadly, find space for many voices, accept new information, explore unexpected ideas, allow people to reach a judgement about the issues that…