Law & society

28 July 2020

5 reasons why the age of criminal responsibility should be raised

Professor Judy Cashmore, from the University of Sydney Law School, outlines five urgent reasons why we must raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 now. "It's time to make the change," she says.

14 July 2020

Groundbreaking autism intervention gets green light

An autism spectrum disorder treatment that addresses child behaviour and parent wellbeing has received government funding, enabling broader delivery to the public.

09 July 2020

Learning languages opens our minds

Vice-Chancellor and Principal at the University of Sydney, Dr Michael Spence, recently graduated with a Diploma of Languages (Korean Studies) at the very university he leads.

26 June 2020

10 ways an arts degree can change the world

Passion, new perspectives, and an understanding of the past and the future are some of the best ways to make a difference to our world, writes Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Duncan Ivison.  

23 June 2020

Virtual and augmented realities: six thorny questions you need to ask

A vast literature review of the ethics of virtual and augmented reality technologies has revealed dilemmas across six key areas.

22 June 2020

Expert witness bias largely unchecked in Australian courts

Transforming procedure is a way to enhance objectivity in our courts, new research shows. Led by Dr Jason Chin, it also explores the failings of the legal system status quo with regard to expert witnesses.

22 June 2020

From HAL 9000 to Westworld’s Dolores: the pop culture robots that influenced smart voice assistants

Two media scholars analysed how Siri, Alexa and other smart voice assistants got their distinctive voices. Their work reveals the consequences of this on consumers, and ultimately, society at large.

19 June 2020

Popular doesn't mean influential among Cambodian farmers

Does being popular make a person influential? Not always. A social network analysis by Sydney researchers found that less popular farmers in Cambodia were in fact more influential than their more popular peers.

18 June 2020

Why Pokémon Go's plan to 3D-scan the world is dangerous

Marcus Carter and Ben Egliston canvass the implications of gaming companies harvesting users' data - including their real-world surroundings - for profit.

16 June 2020

India's leadership for good starts here

The University of Sydney's scholarship program to discover India's future visionary leaders, is one of the most generous scholarship programs available to Indian students offered by an Australian university.

05 June 2020

Australia is not doing enough to preserve biodiversity

On World Environment Day, two environmental law researchers reflect on the reasons for our diminishing natural bounty, and offer a way to save it.

27 May 2020

2020 versus 1919: is COVID-19 as bad as the ‘Spanish’ flu?

Dr Peter Hobbins, a leading expert on the history of the 'Spanish' flu in Australia, reckons with pandemics past and present - including their silver linings.

27 May 2020

Repatriating unexpected treasures in Arnhem Land

To mark National Reconciliation Week, we explore the unusual, fascinating career of University of Sydney archaeologist Professor Annie Clarke.

25 May 2020

How universities came to rely on international students

International student fees have become part of the unofficial funding policy of consecutive federal governments, writes Associate Professor Julia Horne for The Conversation.

12 May 2020

Jack Mundey's legacy: union leader and environmental activist

Union leader Jack Mundey AO passed away this week at the age of 90. Sydney academics reflect on his legacy and impact on urban environmentalism, the trade union movement and Australian society.

11 May 2020

STEM classes taught by teachers outside of their field of expertise

A significant number of Year 10 students across Australia are taught science, technology, engineering or mathematics by an under-qualified teacher, groundbreaking research reveals.

07 May 2020

Life after lockdown: Policy for the next phase of COVID-19

Ahead of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's coronavirus announcement tomorrow, academic experts offer advice on a post-virus policy framework.

05 May 2020

The Last Man by Mary Shelley is a prophecy of life in a global pandemic

Of Shelley's works, The Last Man (1826) has the most to say to us in our present moment of crisis and global pandemic, writes Dr Olivia Murphy for The Conversation.

30 April 2020

The earth cannot wait

Drawing on an international grant, the Sydney Environment Institute will explore climate justice through Indigenous and multispecies lenses.

29 April 2020

How behavioural economics insights can aid COVID-19 compliance

To avoid a second wave of the coronavirus, Australians must continue to comply with 'stay at home' and other health-related orders. Professor Robert Slonim and colleagues explain a way to help achieve this.