Universities have a long way to go before they become exemplars of ethnic equality and diversity. That’s the thrust of a new report published by race equality think-tank, the Runnymede Trust. As David…
For a cultural benchmark of our nation’s best and brightest, there’s something wrong with the BBC show University Challenge. If you tuned in over the festive period for the seasonal special final, you…
The wealthy can ensure their voices are heard via advertising, publicists or lobbyists, by owning media outlets or even by setting up their own political parties.
AAP/Julian Smith
To have a healthy democracy, it is not enough to hold regular elections, or for every person to get one – and only one – vote. At the heart of democracy is the idea that by voting for a particular party…
“Make sure you play fairly,” often say parents to their kids. In fact, children do not need encouragement to be fair, it is a unique feature of human social life, which emerges in childhood. When given…
With a bit of help sufferers can remain effective at work.
Helen ST
Recent figures suggest there are around 800,000 people in the UK with dementia. People usually associate the condition with later life, but around 17,000 of people with the condition are under the age…
Women have struggled for political power since before independence.
EPA/Jaipal Singh
Over five weeks, 815m Indians will have the opportunity to choose a new government many hope will tackle inequality and corruption and lead the country to greater prosperity. The choice is ostensibly between…
Quality education is still not for all.
Chris Radburn/PA Wire/Press Association Images
Akshat Rathi, The Conversation e Gemma Ware, The Conversation
Immigrant students and those from poor backgrounds living in developed countries are being failed by the school system and face a high risk of marginalisation, according to a UNESCO report. Data from the…
Vasectomies and abortions require informed consent.
Lion Heart Vintage
When it comes to gender transitions, trans patients are often inappropriately held to higher account when compared to people opting for other kinds of medical care. Standards of care are effectively constructed…
Electorally, we are assumed to live in an economy, not a society which protects its most vulnerable members.
Flickr/Viewminder
Welcome to the The Conversation’s Election 2013 State of the Nation essays. These articles by leading experts in their field provide an in-depth look at the key policy challenges affecting Australia as…
White, monolingual, male: the make up of many of Australia’s ASX companies fail to reflect our cultural and gender diversity.
AAP
The recent Ethnic Business Awards were a celebration of entrepreneurship, pioneering and determination and above all the immense contribution that our migrant population has made to a better Australia…
Some people could be left behind in the digital revolution in higher education.
Divide image from www.shutterstock.com
FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION: We continue our series on the rise of online and blended learning and how free online courses are set to transform the higher education sector. Today, Tim Pitman writes on who…
Schools funding is back in the headlines, but what’s needed is a wider debate about equality.
AAP Image/Paul Miller
Imagine a field of wheat which has been watered unequally. Some parts will grow to their potential, but some won’t. In the end, it’s bad for the whole field’s productivity. Economist James Galbraith’s…
We need to take a better look at the role women can play in the Millenium Devlopment Goals.
AAP/EPA/Harish Tyagi
Mel Dunn, The University of Queensland e Danielle Logue, University of Technology Sydney
In part 11 of the multi-disciplinary Millennium Project series, Danielle Logue and Mel Dunn note the striking absence of male voices in discussions of women’s empowerment, despite it being fundamental…
Having more women in parliament might bring broad benefits.
AAP
Gender equality and female empowerment are development buzz words with bite. And with good reason. Researchers have shown gender inequality in education reduces economic growth and women are typically…
We need to take a harder look at Australian education and how we compare internationally.
Flickr/marragem
Following the refusal of the federal government to commit to the Gonski Review and the recent announcement in Victoria of further cuts to already disadvantaged schools and students, the issue of equity…
Looking the part: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is frequently surrounded by male leaders.
AAP
There is a scene in the film Beautiful People set in London during the 1993 Balkan war where a young female doctor brings home a recently arrived refugee to her conservative upper class family. There is…
Negotiations by women at work continue to be influenced by traditional gender attitudes.
Flickr/Seattle Municipal Archives
The “equal pay for equal work” dream is yet to become a reality. Not only do women earn, on average, 17.6% less than men, there are worrying signs that this wage gap may be starting to increase. What this…
Julia Gillard’s recent leadership battle provides a lesson for all executive women.
AAP
Today is the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day, a day celebrated around the world to mark the legal, political, social and economic achievements of women. The change in corporate governance…
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University