Humanities

Explore and analyse all aspects of the human condition. Delve into stories about our culture and society.

30 May 2019 – Antarctic, Antarctica, Cold War, International Relations, Politics
The geopolitics of Antarctica
In 1959, countries around the world came together to establish the Antarctic Treaty; a University of Melbourne expert says it came at a time of frosty politics.
23 May 2019 – Australian Indigenous History, Indigenous, Indigenous Health, Mental Health, Suicide
When there is no ritual to dream: The silence of Indigenous suicide
A University of Melbourne academic says the high rate of Indigenous youth suicide can only be addressed if all Australians confont historical and modern racism.
20 May 2019 – 2019 Australian Federal Election, Australian Politics, Democracy
Voter aspiration delivers for Coalition
Scott Morrison’s "aspirational individualism" resonated with voters, leaving the polls behind and forcing a Labor rethink, says University of Melbourne expert.
14 May 2019 – 2019 Australian Federal Election, Asylum seekers, Politics, Refugees, UNHCR
Protection or punishment for refugees: What are the election policies?
Australian politics needs a robust debate on the human rights implications of our refugee and border protection policies says University of Melbourne expert.
13 May 2019 – 2019 Australian Federal Election, Digital, Internet, Law, Social Media
Major parties staying silent on social media regulation
Australians are voting in an age of hyper-partisan, shareable fake news; a University of Melbourne expert says social media regulation is a key election issue.
13 May 2019 – Books, Digital, Literature, Publishing, Reading
The rise of the microgenre
Digital publishing has led to the rise of niche microgenres in books and, according to University of Melbourne research, it’s changing our literary landscape.
10 May 2019 – Breastfeeding, Ecology, Feminism, Mothers, Sustainability
The human animal: Breastfeeding in public
A show by a University of Melbourne researcher puts the act of breastfeeding on stage; exploring what it means to be a ecofeminist mother in the 21st century.
6 May 2019 – Federalism, Government, Rodrigo Duterte, The Philippines
The Philippines is a test case for Asia’s new federalism
Ahead of elections President Duterte's promise to decentralise The Philippines in favour of federalism is in the spotlight says a University of Melbourne expert
24 April 2019 – Alcohol, Anzac Day, Australian History
A toast to Anzac Day
A celebratory drink is part of Australia's ANZAC tradition but as a University of Melbourne historian explains drinking on the day has always been controversial