The Conversation: In-depth analysis, research, news and ideas from leading academics and researchers.

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa at the BRICS summit in Goa, India. Brazil’s position is shaky. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Brazil is breaking with its south-south focus. What it means for BRICS

Marco Vieira, University of Birmingham and Henrique Menezes, University of Birmingham

Brazil's place within the BRICS bloc is becoming questionable. Since the new President Michel Temer took over, Brazil's foreign policy has shifted away from BRICS ideals to favour western interests.

One of the major reasons for the lack of growth in pig production is high pig feed costs. Shutterstock

Feeding pigs in Africa is expensive. Changing their diets is the answer

Arnold Kanengoni, The Agricultural Research Council

High feed costs is limiting pig production in Africa. There are alternatives. The industry must find ways to use available feeds from industries that process agricultural products

An open letter to Bob Marley: it’s time to create reggae dialogues

Deanne Bell, Antioch College

More than three decades after his death reggae icon Bob Marley’s music remains meaningful. It still has the potential to catalyse conversation not often had in the postcolonial world.

What more boy births could reveal about South Africa’s health status

Gwinyai Masukume, University of the Witwatersrand and Victor Grech, University of Malta

Our statistical analysis found that as the sex ratio at birth went up -- that is, more males were born -- so did life expectancy in a strongly related manner.

Decolonisation: academics must change what they teach, and how

Savo Heleta, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

More than two decades after apartheid ended, South African universities still tend to offer a view of the country and continent that is rooted in colonial and apartheid thinking.

Why Europe’s ‘fortress’ approach to migration crisis won’t work

Chris Changwe Nshimbi, University of Pretoria and Inocent Moyo, University of Zululand

Europe has resorted to more severe measure to keep migrants out. But this is not sustainable. The root causes of migration need to be properly addressed.

Chinese literature in Africa: meaningful or simply ceremonial?

Catherine Gilbert, King's College London

Much of the recent commentary on Sino-African relations has a negative tone. But genuine cultural exchange holds the promise of mutual enrichment.

Scholarly collaboration: it’s time for the global South to call the shots

Clive Kronenberg, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

It's important to create spaces where the global South's problems can be presented, debated and solutions developed - including some that can be applied in similar economies.

Why South Africa’s power utility isn’t in great financial shape

Stephen Labson, University of Johannesburg

A closer look into the latest financial numbers of South Africa's state power utility, Eskom, suggest that it may be in a more vulnerable position than appreciated.

Facebook’s problem is more complicated than fake news

R. Kelly Garrett, The Ohio State University

Even if fake articles could be curbed and filtered news modified, there's something built into Facebook's anatomy that foments partisan rage.

How an ‘urban zoo’ project in Kenya is helping unpack the spread of disease

Eric Fèvre, University of Liverpool

Africa's cities are melting pots of activity and interaction. There are fears that the continent's next major modern disease crisis will emerge from them.

Explainer: the search for Earth’s ‘missing fingerprint’

Philip Lloyd, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Without understanding why the 'fingerprint' has failed to appear our predictions about global warming - as carbon dioxide concentrations increase - are uncertain.

Don’t wait for a beautiful leader, South Africa. Rather rely on the Constitution

Albie Sachs, Cornell University

The making of South Africa's Constitution took six long years. Now, 20 years later, the process of drawing up this revered document is being tainted with myth making.

The school science curriculum needs input from real, working scientists

John D Bradley, University of the Witwatersrand and Peter Moodie, University of the Witwatersrand

Science that students learn in context - rather than science as isolated knowledge items - can deliver both scientific literacy and positive learner interest.

Explainer: a tour of Robert Mugabe’s early and later legacies

Beverly L. Peters, American University

Outsiders might not understand how someone who led his country’s downfall from breadbasket to basket case has remained in the presidency for so many years

South Africa needs to get out of its petrochemicals cul-de-sac

Rod Crompton, University of Johannesburg

Raging debates about the state of South Africa's energy industry have missed one critical area, the role of transport fuels and base chemicals.

Free higher education won’t magically improve access

P. Pratap Kumar, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Many academics, including myself, have explored why free higher education is not economically viable in South Africa. Money is not the only issue, though. Quality also matters. And the two go hand in hand…

More Analysis and Comment

COP22

What will the world actually look like at 1.5°C of warming?

Richard Betts, University of Exeter

By the time we hit that temperature, further climate changes will already be locked in and unavoidable.

World set for hottest year on record: World Meteorological Organization

Blair Trewin, World Meteorological Organization

The final weeks of 2016 would need to be the coldest of the 21st century to avoid it becoming the hottest year.

‘Shocking and scary’: how Trump’s victory was received at the UN climate talks in Marrakech

Tony Ryan, University of Sheffield and Duncan Cameron, University of Sheffield

Americans have elected an anti-sustainability President. Here's how it has gone down at COP22.

Managing water is key to adapting African agriculture to climate change

COP22 sets the stage for Africa to mobilise support for adaptation plans

The rubber will hit the road for developing countries at COP22 in Marrakech

Paris climate agreement enters into force: international experts respond

Syrian Arab Red Crescent assisted families in Homs, Syria in September. AP PHOTO

In Iraq and Syria, humanitarian aid workers struggle within a strained system

Thomas Arcaro, Elon University

The humanitarian crisis in the Middle East is getting worse by the day. A survey of aid workers provides a glimpse into life on the ground, and clues to why the humanitarian sector is ailing.

The real reason Trump won: White fright

Christopher Sebastian Parker, University of Washington

Exit polling shows that Hillary Clinton actually won the poor and working class vote. If “Make America Great Again” wasn’t fueled by an angry underclass, what powered it?

No, this isn’t the 1930s – but yes, this is fascism

Three common arguments for preserving the Electoral College – and why they’re wrong

Research and Expert Database

Popular: food, water, transport, health, and energy.

Editors’ Picks

'Post-truth'

The surprising origins of ‘post-truth’ – and how it was spawned by the liberal left

Andrew Calcutt, University of East London

Brexit and Trump aren't to blame. The rise of 'post-truth' is rooted in the middle-classes, not the masses.

Chill

How Swedish literature reflects the benefits of a shorter working day

BJ Epstein, University of East Anglia

Sweden's switch to a six-hour working day is doing it the world of good.

Flamingos

How Planet Earth’s ice-skating flamingos collectively get ‘in the mood’ for sex

Paul Rose, University of Exeter

How and why these bizarre stars of Planet Earth II ended up living in icy lakes high in the Andes mountains.

About one in four people regrets having tattoos. From www.shuttertock.com

Ink

Tattoo regret: Can you make it go away?

Greg Hall, Case Western Reserve University

Tattoos often seem like a good idea in the moment, but tattoo regret is common. There is good reason, not the least of which is infection.

Leonard Cohen in 2012 accepting an award for his song lyrics. Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

Leonard Cohen RIP

Goodbye Leonard, you brought us so much light

Jen Webb, University of Canberra

Leonard Cohen, who has died at 82, had both a tragic vision and a voice that was warm, funny and closely observant. His unique gaze helped fans see the world anew.

Pieter Brueghel the Elder, The Fight Between Carnival and Lent.

Fast food of the web

How the internet turned the US election into a medieval carnival

Anastasia Denisova, University of Westminster

Hillary Clinton failed to unleash the power of the meme.

Racer snakes

In defence of racer snakes – the demons of Planet Earth II (they’re only after a meal)

Rhys Jones, Cardiff University

TV audiences cheered on the iguanas' escape, but won't somebody think of the poor snakes?

4chan

4chan raids: how one dark corner of the internet is spreading its shadows

Emiliano De Cristofaro, UCL

The Politically Incorrect forum is bringing its racist vitriol to a website near you.

Insects

Insects can teach us how to create better technologies

Predrag Slijepcevic, Brunel University London

Insects developed technology long before we did, so perhaps they can show us how to use it without damaging the planet.

Okay for women, but what about men? Shutterstock

Contraception

Why the male ‘pill’ is still so hard to swallow

Adam Watkins, Aston University

Side effects have led to the plug being pulled on the male contraceptive injection. But what about those experienced by women on the pill?

Watch out, there’s a mixotroph about. Shutterstock

Ocean life

Uncovered: the mysterious killer triffids that dominate life in our oceans

Aditee Mitra, Swansea University

They 'engulf living prey, suck out their innards, poison them, harpoon them, make them explode, and steal and reuse body parts'. And we ignore them at our peril.