The Conversation Weekly

The Conversation

A show for curious minds, from The Conversation. Each week, host Gemma Ware speaks to an academic expert about a topic in the news to understand how we got here.

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288 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes288

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Oct 12, 2023 · 26 min
Neanderthals: what their extinction could tell us about Homo Sapiens
For generations, Neanderthals have been a source of fascination for scientists. This species of ancient hominim inhabited the world for around 500,000 years until they suddenly disappeared 42,000 years ago. Today, the cause of their extinction remains a mystery. Archaeologist Ludovic Slimak at the University of Toulouse III, Paul Sabatier in France and his team have spent three decades excavating caves, studying ancient artefacts and delving into the world of Neanderthals and they've recently published provocative new findings. In this week’s episode he tells us more about how Neanderthals lived, what happened to them and why their extinction might hold profound insights into the story of own species, Homo Sapiens. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Mend Mariwany with assistance from Katie Flood. The executive producer was Gemma Ware. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Q&A with Ludovic Slimak, the archeologist who wants to rewrite the history of early humans in Europe Colonisation de l’Europe par Homo sapiens : une nouvelle étude rebat les cartes (in French) Neanderthals: the oldest art in the world wasn’t made by Homo sapiens
Oct 5, 2023 · 31 min
Why Australia is putting a First Nations Voice to Parliament to a referendum
Australia goes to the polls on October 14 in a referendum on whether to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body, known as the Voice to Parliament, into the country's constitution. In this episode, a political theorist from the Torres Strait Islands, an archipelago between Australia and Papua New Guinea, explains the background to the Voice and the arguments for and against it. Plus, we hear a view from Canada on how the Voice proposal compares with Indigenous systems of representation elsewhere in the world. Featuring Sana Nakata, principal research fellow at James Cook University in Australia. And Kiera Ladner, professor of Indigenous politics and Canadian politics at the University of Manitoba in Canada. Hosted by Gemma Ware with Carissa Lee, First Nations and public policy editor at The Conversation in Melbourne. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Gemma Ware and Mend Mariwany. The executive producer was Gemma Ware. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading and listening: A divided Australia will soon vote on the most significant referendum on Indigenous rights in 50 years The Voice to Parliament explained The Voice: how do other countries represent Indigenous voices in government? Crowdsourcing new constitutions: How 2 Latin American countries increased participation and empowered groups excluded from politics – podcast
Oct 3, 2023 · 38 min
New malaria vaccine: a step closer to eradication
The world has waited decades for a malaria vaccine, and now two have come along in quick succession. On October 2, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that a new malaria vaccine developed by the University of Oxford be rolled out for the prevention of malaria in children, just two years after another vaccine, the RTS,S, got their endorsement. We find out why it's been so hard to find a malaria vaccine – and hear from the scientists behind the new breakthrough. We’ve been waiting for the official announcement to publish this story, so listeners will hear from former hosts Daniel Merino and Nehal El-Hadi. Featuring Faith Osier, co-director of the Institute of Infections at Imperial College London; Adrian Hill, director of the Jenner Institute at Oxford University, and Alassane Dicko, professor of epidemiology and public health at the Malaria Research and Training Center at the University of Bamako. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Katie Flood. The hosts are Dan Merino and Nehal El-Hadi. The executive producer was Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: How genetically modifying mosquitoes could strengthen the world’s war on malaria Nigeria has Africa’s highest malaria death rate - progress is being made, but it’s not enough Hope is on the horizon for a malaria-free Africa
Sep 28, 2023 · 20 min
Spain's egg donation boom
Spanish women are having fewer and fewer children, and yet the country has become the egg donation capital of Europe. We find out about the experiences of women who decide to donate their eggs, and whether there are enough protections in place to prevent them from being exploited. Featuring Anna Molas, research fellow in anthropology at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Spain. This episode was produced and written by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer of The Conversation Weekly. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript will be available soon. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Spain is the egg donation capital of Europe – here’s what it’s like to be a donor Science experiments traditionally only used male mice – here’s why that’s a problem for women’s health More from The Conversation’s Women’s Health Matters series
Sep 26, 2023 · 32 min
Inside the Oslo Accords part 3: the legacy
In part 3 of Inside the Oslo Accords we explore the legacy of the Oslo peace process and the future of a two-state solution for Israel-Palestine. Hanan Ashrawi is a Palestinian political and civil society leader and in the 1990s was the official spokesperson of a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to the Middle East peace process. Yossi Beilin was Israel's deputy foreign minister and one of the key participants during the secret negotiations in Oslo. This series is made in collaboration with James Rodgers, reader in international journalism and Amnon Aran, professor of international politics, both at City, University of London in the UK. This episode was produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware with production assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Jan Egeland remembers the secret negotiations that led to the Oslo accords – podcast Hanan Ashrawi and Yossi Beilin on what happened after the Oslo accords handshake – podcast Oslo accords: 30 years on, the dream of a two-state solution seems further away than ever 30 years after Arafat-Rabin handshake, clear flaws in Oslo Accords doomed peace talks to failure
Sep 19, 2023 · 38 min
Inside the Oslo Accords part 2: after the handshake
In part 2 of Inside the Oslo Accords, a special series marking the 30th anniversary of the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, we hear from two negotiators about what happened in the years after the famous handshake on the White House lawn. Hanan Ashrawi is a Palestinian political and civil society leader and in the 1990s was the official spokesperson of a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to the Middle East peace process. Yossi Beilin was Israel's deputy foreign minister and one of the key participants during the secret negotiations in Oslo. This series is made in collaboration with James Rodgers, reader in international journalism and Amnon Aran, professor of international politics, both at City, University of London in the UK. This episode was produced by Mend Mariwany with production assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Jan Egeland remembers the secret negotiations that led to the Oslo accords – podcast Oslo accords: 30 years on, the dream of a two-state solution seems further away than ever 30 years after Arafat-Rabin handshake, clear flaws in Oslo Accords doomed peace talks to failure
Sep 12, 2023 · 25 min
Inside the Oslo Accords part 1: why Norway was in the Middle East
Inside the Oslo Accords is a three-part series marking the 30th anniversary of the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. It's hosted in collaboration with James Rodgers, reader in international journalism and Amnon Aran, professor of international politics, both at City, University of London in the UK. They'll revisit the history of this moment in history, through conversations with leading participants in the Oslo process. In part 1, we hear from Jan Egeland, who was deputy foreign minister of Norway in the early 1990s, about his role in the secret negotiations that led to the Oslo Accords. This episode was produced by Mend Mariwany with production assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript is now available. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading Oslo accords: 30 years on, the dream of a two-state solution seems further away than ever 30 years after Arafat-Rabin handshake, clear flaws in Oslo Accords doomed peace talks to failure
Aug 31, 2023 · 46 min
Fear and Wonder: how species are responding to climate change
Around half of all life on Earth is on the move because of climate change. It's another staggering statistic from the recent synthesis report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and a shift explored in a recent episode of Fear & Wonder, a new podcast from The Conversation. We're running that full episode through our channel this week. It features Finnish fisherman scientist Tero Mustonen and Australian marine ecologist Gretta Pecl from the University of Tasmania. Fear and Wonder is hosted by IPCC lead author Joelle Gergis and journalist Michael Green. It's produced by Michael Green and is sponsored by the Climate Council, an independent, evidence-based organisation working on climate science, impacts and solutions. Further listening: Fear and Wonder podcast: how climate action can create a more liveable future for all Fear and Wonder podcast: how climate change is affecting rainfall, droughts and floods From radiation to water pollution to cities, humans are now a driver of evolution in the ‘natural’ world
Jul 27, 2023 · 37 sec
Production break
The Conversation Weekly will be taking a production break in August and will be back in September with new episodes. Stay tuned and subscribed!
Jul 20, 2023 · 19 min
Discovery: Thirty years after Jurassic Park hit movie screens, its impact on science and culture remains as strong as ever
Based on Michael Crichton's novel by the same name, Jurassic Park told the story of an ambitious theme park that used resurrected dinosaurs as its attractions. But as the story unfolds, things start to go wrong. We speak to Travis Holland, who researches media and fan studies,at the popular and scientific cultural impact Jurassic Park continues to have today. Featuring Travis Holland, Senior Lecturer in Communication at Charles Sturt University in Australia. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood. The executive producer is Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript will be available soon. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: How Jurassic Park changed film-making and our view of dinosaurs ‘Jurassic Park’ made a dinosaur-sized leap forward in computer-generated animation on screen, 25 years ago
Jul 13, 2023 · 37 min
The bacteria and microbes in your gut can affect your body and mental health, and engineering them promises new forms of treatment
The human body is a complex organism, made up of trillions of cells. But not all of them are human. About half of them are fungi, microbes and bacteria. Scientists are starting to understand how and why these communities — referred to as microbiomes — are crucial to the functioning of various body systems. We speak to three experts who study the gut microbiome: a gastroenterologist, a neuroscientist and a biological engineer. Their research considers how these microbiomes are important, what the relationship is between microbiomes and well being, and how synthetically engineered microorganisms promise new forms of therapies. Featuring Chris Damman, a gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor at the University of Washington, Andrea Merchak, an incoming postdoctoral scholar at the University of Florida, who studies the gut biome as it affects and is affected by various conditions, and Tae Seok Moon, a biological engineer at Washington University at St. Louis, who looks at how synthetic biology can be employed within the gut. This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany, who is also the show’s executive producer. With production assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript will be available soon. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Fermented food: why eating sauerkraut helps your gut stay healthy Bile acids and gut microbes could potentially treat multiple sclerosis, according to new research in mice Fiber is your body’s natural guide to weight management – rather than cutting carbs out of your diet, eat them in their original fiber packaging instead
Jul 6, 2023 · 43 min
How fine dining in Europe and the US came to exclude immigrant cuisine
The history of restaurants, food and, especially, fine dining, is deeply tied to the history of immigration to the U.S. and French cultural power in the early 20th century. Not surprisingly, the story that leads to Yelp and Anthony Bourdain is not without its share of racism that the modern food world and its taste makers are still grappling with today. We speak to three experts who study food culture and fine dining about the perceptions and definitions of what’s considered good food. We explore how food trends are deeply tied to immigration, how the history of western culinary techniques limits the creativity and authenticity of modern restaurants and how social media compares to the Michelin Guide as a tool in the quest for "good food." Featuring Krishnendu Ray, a professor of food studies at New York University in the US, Zeena Feldman is a professor of digital culture at King's College in London, in the UK, and Gillian Gualtieri is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Barnard College in the US. This episode was produced and written by Dan Merino and Katie Flood. Mend Mariwany is the executive producer of The Conversation Weekly. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Full credits for this episode available here. Further reading: Why celebrity, award-winning chefs are usually white men Noma to close: why it’s so hard to run a sustainable innovation-focused restaurant Red meat and imported wine: why ethical eating often stops at the restaurant door
Jun 29, 2023 · 38 min
Debunking migration myths: the real reasons people move, and why most migration happens in the Global South
Around the world, borders between countries are getting tougher. Governments are making it more difficult to move, especially for certain groups of vulnerable people. This comes with a message, subtle or not: that people are moving to higher-income countries to take advantage of the welfare system, or the jobs of people already living there. But research shows that much of what we think about migration in the Global North is wrong, and political narratives shape the conversation and public attitudes toward migration. We speak to three experts who explain what migration really looks like around the world, what drives people to uproot their lives and move, and how some countries in Africa are welcoming refugees. Heaven Crawley is a researcher at UN University Centre for Policy Research based in New York in the US, Valentina Di Iasio is a research fellow at the University of Southampton in the UK, and Christopher Nshimbi is a researcher at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. This episode was written and produced by Avery Anapol and Mend Mariwany. The executive producer is Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript will be available soon. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Migrant numbers are rising: conflict, climate and harassment are forcing tens of millions to leave their homes Albania’s brain drain: why so many young people are leaving and how to get them to stay Why Europe’s ‘fortress’ approach to migration crisis won’t work Leaving Hong Kong after China’s clampdown: where are people thinking of going and why? – The Conversation Weekly podcast
Jun 22, 2023 · 38 min
How protest movements use feminine images and social media to fight sexist ideologies of authoritarian regimes
Modern protest movements, like the ongoing protests in Iran, often center around women who have been killed or harmed by agents of authoritarian governments. While it can be easy to chalk up this consistent, state-sponsored abuse of women to simple sexism, researchers say there is a deeper story at play. We speak to three experts who have studied protests and the role of gendered ideology, images and social media as tools of resistance as well as of oppression. Parichehr Kazemi is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Oregon, in the US, Aliaksei Kazharski researches international politics and security at Charles University in Prague, in the Czech Republic, and Michaela Grančayová is an independent researcher who focuses on language and politics, at Comenius University in Slovakia. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood. The executive producer is Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. A transcript will be available soon. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Senegal’s internet shutdowns are another sign of a democracy in peril Iranian protesters remain defiant in the face of violent and brutal regime oppression Iranian protesters turn to TikTok to get their message past government censors How Gen Z is using social media in Iran’s Women, Life, Freedom movement
Jun 15, 2023 · 38 min
Crowdsourcing new constitutions: how 2 Latin American countries increased participation and empowered groups excluded from politics
Over the past few decades, countries across Latin America have witnessed a surge in demands by its people for increased political participation and representation. Colombia and Chile stand out as notable examples of countries responding to these calls through constitutional reform. We speak with two researchers about Latin America’s ongoing democratic transition, with a particular focus on the involvement of populations in democratic processes in Colombia and Chile. We examine how countries are looking to empower their populations through crowdsourcing participation, what the implications of these reforms for marginalized communities are and how Chile’s rejection of a progressive constitution remains a significant step for empowering citizens. Featuring Carlos Bernal, professor of Law at the University of Dayton in the United States, and commissioner of the America Human Rights Commission, and Jennifer Piscopo, associate professor of politics at Occidental College in Los Angeles, in the United States. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Mend Mariwany, who is also the show’s executive producer. With assistance from our producer Katie Flood. Sound design is by Eloise Stevens, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Chile’s progressive new constitution rejected by voters after campaign marred by misinformation The 1967 referendum was the most successful in Australia’s history. But what it can tell us about 2023 is complicated Peru protests: What to know about Indigenous-led movement shaking the crisis-hit country Is International Women’s Day a catalyst for change or just a symbolic gesture?
Jun 8, 2023 · 31 min
Beauty procedures from manicures to cosmetic surgery carry risk and the potential reward of a better life
Making yourself more beautiful can result in tangible, material rewards. Pretty privilege, as it is called, can lead to greater access to money and social capital, resulting in a better quality of life. In Brazil, this understanding that beauty is important to one’s social status and mental and emotional wellbeing has prompted the state to subsidize cosmetic surgery. But this pursuit of beauty carries a dark side, and can often mean exposure to harm. We speak to an anthropologist and a cancer researcher about the potential harm inherent in seeking beauty treatments. Featuring Carmen Alvaro Jarrín, associate professor of anthropology at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, in the US, and Maria Zhivagui, a postdoctoral researcher in environmental toxicology and cancer genomics at the University of California, in the US. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Nehal El-Hadi and Mend Mariwany, who is also the show’s executive producer, and with assistance from our producer Katie Flood. Sound design is by Eloise Stevens, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: In Brazil, patients risk everything for the ‘right to beauty The ugly side of beauty: Chemicals in cosmetics threaten college-age women’s reproductive health Toxic chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products remain in our bodies and environments for a very, very long time
Jun 1, 2023 · 41 min
Governments and environmental groups are turning to international courts to combat the impacts of climate change
A number of activist groups, mostly from developing nations already facing the realities of a changing climate, are taking a new legal approach to climate action. They are arguing that climate change cases are human rights cases and in doing so are wading into unprecedented legal waters. We speak with three scholars about current legal cases tying climate change and human rights together, what these cases might mean for the climate movement and how human rights law can produce real change on the ground. Featuring Niak Sian Koh, postdoctoral researcher in Sustainability Science at the Stockholm Resilience Center at Stockholm University in Sweden; Zoe Nay, PhD candidate with Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne, Australia; and Jackie Smith, professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, in the US. This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood. The executive producer is Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: Biodiversity: one way to help countries stick to their commitments to restore nature The UN is asking the International Court of Justice for its opinion on states’ climate obligations. What does this mean?
May 25, 2023 · 36 min
Improving how the IMF does business could help billions of people worldwide
In countries across the Global South, the launch of IMF programs often sparks considerable concern. This is because of the IMF’s reputation: during the 1980s, many nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America turned to the IMF seeking loans to mitigate economic challenges. These loans were accompanied by stringent conditions, and countries faced pressure to reduce public subsidies and social spending, downsize the public sector workforce, and increase taxes. We speak with two researchers about the impact of IMF loans on recipient countries and why countries continue to rely on IMF loans. We also discuss potential alternatives to this system. Featuring Danny Bradlow, a professor of International Development Law and African Economic Relations and senior fellow at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and Attiya Waris is Ambassador of Fiscal Law and Policy at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. This episode of The Conversation Weekly was produced and written by Mend Mariwany, who is also the show’s executive producer. Sound design is by Eloise Stevens, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Full credits for this episode are available here. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: When the IMF comes to town: why they visit and what to watch out for IMF says it cares about inequality. But will it change its ways? Government debt won’t necessarily burden future generations – but austerity will African debt: how to break unequal relationships in financing deals
May 18, 2023 · 44 min
The solutions needed to address climate change already exist – Fear and Wonder podcast
One of the key findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Synthesis Report is that there are solutions available right now, across all sectors of the economy, that could at least halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. “The problem is getting worse,” explains Greg Nemet, a Canadian renewable policy expert and IPCC author. “But we’ve got solutions now that are so much more affordable than they were.” Fear & Wonder is a new podcast from The Conversation that takes you inside the UN’s era-defining climate report via the hearts and minds of the scientists who wrote it. In this episode, we’re delving into one of the major shifts in the public communication of climate change – the attribution of extreme weather events to climate change. Featuring Gregory Nemet, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US, and Yamina Saheb, Senior Energy Policy Analyst at OpenEXP. Fear and Wonder is produced by Michael Green and is sponsored by the Climate Council, an independent, evidence-based organisation working on climate science, impacts and solutions. Further reading: Global warming to bring record hot year by 2028 – probably our first above 1.5°C limit For developing world to quit coal, rich countries must eliminate oil and gas faster – new study Climate tipping points could lock in unstoppable changes to the planet – how close are they?
May 11, 2023 · 43 min
Fast Fashion: Why garment workers’ lives are still in danger 10 years after Rana Plaza
Ten years ago this month, much attention turned to the global garment industry when a group of garment factories collapsed at Rana Plaza near Dhaka, Bangladesh. The accident, called a “mass industrial homicide” by unions in Bangladesh, killed 1,124 people and injured at least 2,500 more. Most of the people who went to work that day were young women, almost all were supporting families with their wages and all were at the bottom of the global production chain. We feature an episode from our colleagues of the series Don’t Call Me Resilient, to look back at the Rana Plaza disaster to explore how much — or how little — has changed for garment worker conditions since. Featuring Dina Siddiqi, Clinical Associate Professor of Liberal Studies at New York University in the US, and Minh-Ha T. Pham, Associate Professor at Pratt Institute, also in the US. This episode of Don’t Call Me Resilient was produced by Vinita Srivastava, the associate producer is Boke Saisi, with contributions from Jennifer Moroz and Ateqah Khaki. Sound design is by Rehmatullah Sheikh and the show’s student journalist this year was Ollie Nicholas. Sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation. Further reading: 10 years after the Rana Plaza collapse, fashion has yet to slow down Fast fashion still comes with deadly risks, 10 years after the Rana Plaza disaster – the industry’s many moving pieces make it easy to cut corners Rana Plaza: ten years after the Bangladesh factory collapse, we are no closer to fixing modern slavery