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

Fall is here: Why do some trees lose their leaves while others stay green?

Charles Marty, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC)

Seasonal change can affect people’s moods — and their moral values

Ian Hohm, University of British Columbia and Mark Schaller, University of British Columbia

a tree by a lake with four panels showing the four seasons

Humanity’s future depends on our ability to live in harmony with nature

Liette Vasseur, Brock University; Anders Hayden, Dalhousie University, and Mike Jones, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Two people talk past the trunk of a large willow tree

New survey of IPCC authors reveals doubt, and hope, that world will achieve climate targets

Seth Wynes, University of Waterloo and H. Damon Matthews, Concordia University

A man with a bicycle stands in the middle of a rainy deserted street.

Atmospheric rivers are shifting poleward, reshaping global weather patterns

Zhe Li, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

A satellite image shows large filaments of atmospheric rivers reaching out from the tropics both north and south.

People in red robes sit on a long table in a wood paneled room

R v. Kloubakov: Supreme Court of Canada ignores sex workers in case on sex work

Vincent Wong, University of Windsor and Jamie Chai Yun Liew, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Israel-Gaza conflict: Home and away

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation

A collage showing images of two groups rallying in front of the Parliament building in Ottawa. The image on the left shows pro-Palestinian protestors with Palestinian flags, a keffiiyeh and a protest sign, and the image of the right shows a group of pro-Israel protesters holding Israeli flags.

Gen Z knowledge about the Holocaust matters for ongoing reconciliation with a troubled history

Regan Lipes, MacEwan University

A man listening has an Israeli flag around his shoulders.

Going off grid is a financial win for some, but it’s a threat for poorer families and the environment

Joshua M. Pearce, Western University

Houses in a neighbourhood are seen in the distance, while a roof covered in solar panels is seen in the foreground

How the ‘social cost of carbon’ measurement can hide economic inequalities and mask climate suffering

Majid Hashemi, Queen's University, Ontario

A man rides an elephant through a flooded street.

A 1950's style image of a white woman wearing an apron in a kitchen

Trad wives hearken back to an imagined past of white Christian womanhood

Brandi Estey-Burtt, St. Thomas University (Canada)

Hysterectomy is more common, and occurs at younger ages, for women with less education

Erin A. Brennand, University of Calgary; Natalie V. Scime, University of Calgary, and Pauline McDonagh Hull, University of Calgary

Photo showing three people giving a press conference at a desk. Behind them is a screen showing two men described as John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton

Physics Nobel awarded to neural network pioneers who laid foundations for AI

Aaron J. Snoswell, Queensland University of Technology

How engineering can support more inclusive hockey leagues and bolster innovation

Kevin Lawrence McGuire, Western University

Three pairs of feet in hockey skates, with sticks.

Canadian urban mobility is woefully lacking, but building a better future is still possible

Betsy Donald, Queen's University, Ontario and Shauna Brail, University of Toronto

A light rail train riding a trail track over a bridge that is above a wide river

Wealthier Canadians live longer and are less likely to be dependent as they age, new research finds

Marie-Louise Leroux, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and Marie Connolly, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

Rear view of an elderly woman in a bucket hat pushing a walker down a city sidewalk

Is sustainable development possible? Only if we take a unified approach

Davide Elmo, University of British Columbia

An excavating maching digs into a face at a mine.

‘Ecocide’ is being used as a weapon of war in Ukraine. It should be one of the crimes tried in the International Criminal Court

Renéo Lukic, Université Laval and Sophie Marineau, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)

Canada has always had a ‘tap on, tap off’ immigration policy aimed primarily at filling jobs

Thomas Klassen, York University, Canada

A group of men and women, some carrying small Canadian flags, raise their right hands.

Kamala Harris is being held to the same old double standard

Mireille Lalancette, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)

Aerial view of a neighbourhood of detached homes

What’s behind Canada’s housing crisis? Experts break down the different factors at play

Yushu Zhu, Simon Fraser University and Hanan Ali, Simon Fraser University

The youth-led research giving voice to teen mothers in Uganda

Doris Kakuru, University of Victoria and Jacqueline Nassimbwa, University of Victoria

A young black mother carrying a child in her arms

Why heart patients have trouble sticking to a healthy diet, and 3 things that help them eat better

Gabriela Ghisi, University of Toronto and Camila Kümmel Duarte, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)

A heart-shaped dish of healthy foods against a blackboard with a chalk outline of a EKG reading

The chemistry behind beer brewing is still shrouded in mystery, but tiny microfluidic chips could change that

Katherine Elvira, University of Victoria

A close up of a hand pouring beer from a pitcher into a glass

Little kids, too little movement: Global study finds most children don’t meet guidelines for physical activity, screen time and sleep

Mark S Tremblay, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa and Nicholas Kuzik, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Two musicians on a stage, one singing, the other playing guitar.

Quarter Life

Oasis reunion: How to stop your sibling feud from becoming a lifelong estrangement

Ramona Alaggia, University of Toronto

A man seen from behind, wearing a gray hat, standing outside a glass door, beside a yellow needle drop box

Drop in drug poisoning deaths does not necessarily indicate Alberta Recovery Model is working

Ping Lam Ip, University of Alberta; Andrea DeKeseredy, University of Alberta, and Patricia Dekeseredy, West Virginia University

A combo photo shows two men, one with grey hair and glasses and the other younger man with dark hair.

How the British Columbia election is being haunted by the ghosts of 1952

Philip Resnick, University of British Columbia

Orange heart sign with 'every child matters' and #Remember215 in the ground

Indigenous students and faculty are on the rise – and universities have a moral obligation to support them

Jennifer Brant, University of Toronto and Frank Deer, University of Manitoba

Out of the archive: A collection of stories about Mount Elgin Indian Residential School

Mary Jane Logan McCallum, University of Winnipeg

A man looking at papers, in a posed photo near a typewriter with a book and feathers.

We curated a podcast playlist for you: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation and Marisa Sittheeamorn, The Conversation

People take part in a march on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Montreal, Friday, September 30, 2022.

Reflections on the Canadian Medical Association’s apology to Indigenous Peoples

Marcia Anderson, University of Manitoba

A curtained-off exam space in a health-care facility

Pharma company funding for patient advocacy groups needs to be transparent

Joel Lexchin, York University, Canada

Awareness day ribbons in different colours with drugs and a stethoscope

Iran’s strikes on Israel are the latest sign that the conflict in the Middle East is spiraling, presenting rising global security threats

Javed Ali, University of Michigan

Yellow dots appear to fall from a dark sky over buildings.

How Lebanon’s national identity is exploited to justify violence against it

Rayyan Dabbous, University of Toronto

The Supreme Court of Canada is wrong to refuse to translate its pre-1970 decisions

Yan Campagnolo, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa; François Larocque, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa, and Lawrence David, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

People walking up and down a paved walkway in a city

Return-to-office mandates may not be the solution to downtown struggles that Canadian cities are banking on

Alexander Wray, Western University; Jamie Seabrook, Western University; Jason Gilliland, Western University, and Sean Doherty, Wilfrid Laurier University

How climate change is undermining Indigenous knowledge and livelihoods in Central America

James Stinson, York University, Canada and Lee Mcloughlin, Florida International University

Two youths stand in a partially burned farm field.

Networking doesn’t have to be a chore — here are 3 ways to make it more enjoyable and effective

Jamie Gruman, University of Guelph

A small group of people in business attire having a conversation

‘Iyashikei’ healing manga comforts readers with attention to small joys

J. Andrew Deman, University of Waterloo

A smiling girl holding a phone and doing a selfie.

Battle of the giants: The EU and U.S. are concerned about China’s industrial overcapacity

Yaxin Zhou, Université de Montréal

A ship carrying containers bearing the words "China shipping line"

Two-way traffic seen on a mulit-lane highway

Doug Ford’s highway tunnel will not improve transport or housing

Markus Moos, University of Waterloo

Facing trade renegotiations, Canada can no longer count on free trade to protect it from U.S. power

Blayne Haggart, Brock University

Three men stand behind three lecterns outside a stone building. The Canadian, Mexican and American flags are behind them.

Cineplex’s $38.9 million fine is a wake-up call about corporate sustainability practices

Douglas A. Stuart, University of Victoria

A close up of a vertical Cineplex sign on the front of a building

Resiliency and concussion: Why do some athletes develop neurodegeneration and others don’t?

Ravi Menon, Western University

B.C.’s plan for involuntary addiction treatment is a step back in our response to the overdose crisis

Kora DeBeck, Simon Fraser University and Perry Kendall, University of British Columbia

How the ‘New Right’ in Latin America differs from other emerging far-right movements

Juan Manuel Morales, Université de Montréal

A man with shaggy brown hair grimaces while gesturing with his hands.

‘Carbon contracts for difference’ are not a silver bullet for climate action

Daniel Rosenbloom, Carleton University

A Canadian flag flies in the foreground in front of Parliament Hill.

What’s ahead for municipal policing in Canada after B.C. court decision ousts the RCMP in Surrey

Bryce J. Casavant, Royal Roads University

A man in uniform and wearing glasses speaks into a microphone with a large police force coat of arms behind him.

‘Russians at War’ documentary: From the Crimean to the Iraq War, soldier images pose questions about propaganda

Martin Danahay, Brock University

How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada

Sayra Cristancho, Western University

A row of sandbags stacked on to of each other. People in the background carry more sandbags

Why virtual reality nature can’t provide the same wellness benefits as the real thing

Savannah Stuart, University of Waterloo; Brendon Larson, University of Waterloo, and Steffanie Scott, University of Waterloo

Two people wearing VR headsets against a purple and pink background

Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses raise concerns about privacy and user data

Victoria (Vicky) McArthur, Carleton University

How to navigate the challenges of long-distance caregiving

Navjot Gill-Chawla, University of Waterloo

Two older people sit at a table video chatting with a younger couple on a laptop.

A boat floats on the surface of murky water.

Climate change is causing algal blooms in Lake Superior for the first time in history

Sapna Sharma, York University, Canada and Joshua Culpepper, York University, Canada

New mortgage rules aim to make home ownership more attainable — will they deliver?

Stuart Snaith, University of Victoria

A row of detached homes in front of a field

People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder face a heightened risk of homelessness

Celisse Olivia Bibr, Laurentian University; Jacqueline Pei, University of Alberta, and Kelly D. Harding, Laurentian University

A doctor looking at an ultrasound on a screen

Struggling to make decisions at work? Learn how to build confidence

Leda Stawnychko, Mount Royal University and MacDonald Oguike, University of Vaasa

A young woman stands while speaking to a conference table of co-workers

Invasive species are reshaping aquatic ecosystems, one lake at a time

Anthony Ricciardi, McGill University

Climate change means we may have to learn to live with invasive species

Heather Kharouba, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Tablet use by young children is linked with more outbursts of anger and frustration

Caroline Fitzpatrick, Université de Sherbrooke ; Fabricio De Andrade Rocha, Université de Sherbrooke , and Gabrielle Garon-Carrier, Université de Sherbrooke

A child seen from behind watching a cartoon on a tablet

Global crises are multiplying: Here’s how science can help our public decision-makers

John N. Lavis, McMaster University and Mathieu Ouimet, Université Laval

Trump’s abortion flip-flops: Lessons from Ireland on the futility of denying access to abortion

Seána Glennon, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

A hulking man with blondish-grey hair in a blue suit is seen in silhouette pointing off camera.

Why the open work permit for migrant workers is an inadequate solution

Kate Swanson, Dalhousie University; Alyssa Weeks, Dalhousie University, and Elizabeth Fitting, Dalhousie University

Two men, one with grey hair and another younger man with dark hair, stand in front of a courthouse. The older man speaks into a microphone.

Make Canada stronger by supporting the health of refugees

Gabriel Fabreau, University of Calgary and Deyana Altahsh, University of Alberta

Four interlocking hands holding each other

Personal histories shape how immigrant families transmit their home language to children

Thao-Nguyen Nina Le, Concordia University and Pavel Trofimovich, Concordia University

How Jesse Jackson’s populist fight for economic and racial justice resonates today

Steven High, Concordia University

A Black man speaks in a radio studio as two younger Black men sit on either side of him.

How accent bias can impact a person’s job prospects

Mary Grantham O'Brien, Simon Fraser University; Cesar Teló, Concordia University, and Pavel Trofimovich, Concordia University

A young woman speaking to another person in an office

‘Right to disconnect’ laws are a step toward healthier, more productive and more inclusive workplaces

Fiona McQuarrie, University of The Fraser Valley

A woman using her mobile phone while lying on her bed at night

At the UN, world leaders are negotiating the biggest health issue you’ve never heard of

Mathieu JP Poirier, York University, Canada

The words 'Bank of Canada' on a bank note is seen in the midst of a pile of coins

Minimum wage increases are important, but workers deserve more

Andrew Stevens, University of Regina

A dark-haired man in a dark suit walks in darkened space.

Another Liberal byelection loss shows once again that Justin Trudeau is the problem

Eugene Lang, Queen's University, Ontario

Monitoring the health of lakes through the microbes that live in them

Jérôme Comte, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS); Christophe Langevin, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), and Naíla Barbosa da Costa, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)

Oilsands workers are resistant to sustainable jobs, new research finds

Parker Muzzerall, University of British Columbia

Three workers with their backs to the camera and in blue work suits stand outside an oilsands facility.

How the oil and gas industry influences higher education

Emily Eaton, University of Regina and Jennie C. Stephens, National University of Ireland Maynooth

People with umbrellas and backpacks walking past ExxonMobil flags.

A ‘river of experience’: How many ways of knowing feed a course on the climate crisis and actions

Natalya Gomez, McGill University; Diane Dechief, McGill University; Jennifer Sunday, McGill University, and Julia Freeman, McGill University

People with banners walking on a bridge over a river.

Citizens’ assemblies: Pioneered in B.C. 20 years ago, they’re a growing pro-democracy tool

Aftab Erfan, Simon Fraser University

Multiple generations of an Innu family disembark from a motorised canoe.

The Innu have lived in eastern Canada for thousands of years, yet their rights to this land are increasingly threatened by the question: who is Indigenous?

Colin Samson, University of Essex

Outing a pretendian: How four Métis scholars redefined Indigenous identity policy

Chelsea Gabel, McMaster University; Bobby (Robert) Henry, University of Saskatchewan; Caroline Tait, University of Calgary, and Janet K. Smylie, University of Toronto

Why Canada needs a national disability strategy

Olaf Kraus de Camargo, McMaster University

Photo of statue of Terry Fox with the Parliament buildings in the background

Slow mining could be a solution to overconsumption in an increasingly fast-paced world

Cassia Johnson, University of Exeter; Deborah Johnson, University of Exeter, and Kathryn Moore, University of Exeter

An aerial photo shows a mine in a valley.

Here’s how to remove some persistent pollutants from your drinking water at home

Sébastien Sauvé, Université de Montréal; Benoit Barbeau, Polytechnique Montréal, and Termeh Teymoorian, Université de Montréal

‘So much mental load’: Mothers speak about school lunches

Jennifer Black, University of British Columbia

A woman's hands seen putting lunch in a bag.

Flexible fitness: How moms can blend movement and motherhood for mental well-being

Iris Lesser, University of The Fraser Valley

A woman in fitness clothes stretching on a mat with a baby on the floor

For successful school phone bans, school administrators and parents need to support teachers

Sachin Maharaj, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Student with a phone under a desk while teacher is speaking.

Governments need to focus on AI’s real impact, not get caught up in the hype generated by Big Tech

David Weitzner, York University, Canada

A person seen from the neck down touches a glowing, floating Ai while sitting in front of an open laptop

Artificial intelligence should not be allowed to adjudicate cases in Canada’s Federal Court

Bryce J. Casavant, Royal Roads University; Andrea Menard, Royal Roads University, and Siomonn Pulla, Royal Roads University

a gavel with justice scales in the background and seven digital icons orbiting an AI symbol

The real issue at the heart of Canada’s meat processing industry isn’t labour shortages — it’s low wages

Bronwyn Bragg, University of Lethbridge and M Jennifer Hyndman, York University, Canada

Close up of a pair of gloved hands placing a tray of raw meat on a conveyer belt in a processing plant

Canada needs to overhaul the Temporary Foreign Worker program, not just tinker with it

Jane Stinson, Carleton University

A person uses a farm tool while standing in front of a green bobcat in front of a ploughed field

A group of people play hockey on a frozen ice pond with mountains in the background

Hockey in Canada: Can it still bridge divides in an era of political polarization?

Joseph Dick, University of Guelph and Caleb Duffield, McMaster University

When a child prodigy composer matured into a noblewoman, her legacy got complicated

Amanda Lalonde, University of Saskatchewan

Educational apps for children: What parents and educators should look for and ignore

Emma Liptrot, McGill University and Adam Kenneth Dubé, McGill University

A child's hands seen holding a smartphone next to another child.

3 ways Canada can welcome and support scientists displaced by war and persecution

Christina Clark-Kazak, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

A woman in a lab coat with long dark hair looks into a microscope.

Celebrity brands: Why fame alone isn’t enough to keep them afloat anymore

Omar H. Fares, Wilfrid Laurier University

A young Black woman with long, black hair and a glittery yellow top poses in front of a backdrop that says 'Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 3'

Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus: Are we losing sight of overall health? Here’s what the science says

Aude Bandini, Université de Montréal; Jean-Philippe Drouin-Chartier, Université Laval; Pierre-Marie David, Université de Montréal, and Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, Université de Montréal

Planning smart and sustainable cities should not result in exclusive garden utopias for the rich

David Murakami Wood, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

a futuristic white city with plenty of green shrubs and trees

New stormwater infrastructure is needed for Canadian cities to handle increased urban flooding

Mauricio Carvallo Aceves, University of British Columbia

a truck drives through a flooded city street

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Quarter Life

Quarter Life, a series for people in their 20s and 30s

A young woman stands before a table of people in an office, gesturing with her hands while speaking to them

Giving feedback can be daunting for new leaders — here’s how to provide it thoughtfully

Leda Stawnychko, Mount Royal University and Mehnaz Rafi, University of Calgary

Two middle-aged men in suits and cowboy hats standing next to teach other. One is wearing a trench coat.

Are you a Destiel stan? There’s so much more to ‘shipping’ than wanting characters to kiss

Effie Sapuridis, Western University

A graphic of a man inside a brain with a large rm reaching down to help him out

How to know when it’s time to start therapy

Simon Sherry, Dalhousie University

Understanding ‘underconsumption core’: How a new trend is challenging consumer culture

Omar H. Fares, Toronto Metropolitan University and Seung Hwan (Mark) Lee, Toronto Metropolitan University

A young woman holding a reusable coffee cup while using a smartphone

Fast fashion is harming our planet — these 4 tips can help you build a more sustainable wardrobe

Maryse Côté-Hamel, Université Laval

Age-gap relationships between Millennial women and Gen Z men are on the rise

Treena Orchard, Western University

A man and woman embrace and lean in for a kiss

Struggling to discuss climate change with older relatives? These 3 scenarios can help

Crystal Chokshi, Mount Royal University

A man and a young girl are pictured in front of a monument.

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a group photo of past contributors for the Don't Call Me Resilient podcast

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Some of our favourite episodes you may have missed: Don’t Call Me Resilient podcast

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation; Dannielle Piper, The Conversation; Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation, and Jennifer Moroz, The Conversation

A clinician holds a vial of a drug called lenacapavir

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HIV prevention: why a new injectable drug could be such a breakthrough – podcast

Gemma Ware, The Conversation

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As war rages in Sudan, community resistance groups sustain life

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation

In India, film and social media play recurring roles in politics

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation

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A movie poster shows a woman holding an automatic rifle. A man walks beside the film poster.

Digging into the colonial roots of gardening

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation and Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation

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A Black woman wearing denim, gloves and an apron, crouches down by a green and orange plant.

From stereotypes to sovereignty: How Indigenous media makers assert narrative control

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation; Dannielle Piper, The Conversation, and Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation

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Man wearing olive green jacket side hugs a woman wearing a brown-colored trench coat.

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ transmits joy, honours legends and challenges a segregated industry

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation and Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation

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Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ transmits joy, honours legends and challenges a segregated industry

A different way to address student encampments

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation

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A different way to address student encampments

Asylum seekers from Gaza and Sudan face prejudiced policies and bureaucratic hurdles

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation and Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation

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Asylum seekers from Gaza and Sudan face prejudiced policies and bureaucratic hurdles

The chilling effects of trying to report on the Israel-Gaza war

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation and Dannielle Piper, The Conversation

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The chilling effects of trying to report on the Israel-Gaza war

Starvation is a weapon of war: Gazans are paying the price

Vinita Srivastava, The Conversation; Ateqah Khaki, The Conversation, and Husein Haveliwala, The Conversation

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La Conversation Canada

Un bateau flotte à la surface d'une eau trouble.

Changement climatique : des proliférations d’algues observées pour la 1ere fois dans le lac Supérieur

Sapna Sharma, York University, Canada and Joshua Culpepper, York University, Canada

Les technologies de modification du rayonnement solaire ne font pas consensus. Voici pourquoi

Jennifer Garard, Concordia University and H. Damon Matthews, Concordia University

Voici pourquoi la réforme du zonage ne règlera pas la crise du logement

Raphaël Fischler, Université de Montréal

Comment savoir si l’on devrait suivre une thérapie ?

Simon Sherry, Dalhousie University

Représentation graphique d'un homme à l'intérieur d'un cerveau avec un grand bras tendu vers le bas pour l'aider à sortir.

La santé de votre microbiome intestinal affecte-t-elle votre peau ?

Narveen Jandu, University of Waterloo and Flore Van Leemput, Northern Ontario School of Medicine