The Conversation Weekly

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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Episodes

How climate change is flooding the Arctic Ocean with light

This week, two experts explain how melting ice in the far north is bringing more light to the Arctic Ocean and what this means for the species that live there. And we hear from a team of archaeologists on their new research in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge that found evidence of just how adaptable early humans were to the changing environment. Every summer, the sea ice in the Arctic melts -– but it's melting more and more each year. This dramatic loss is because the Arctic is warming two to three tim...

Mar 04, 2021•34 min•Ep. 5

Leaving Hong Kong after China's clampdown: where people are going and why

This week three experts explain why more people are thinking about leaving Hong Kong after China's clampdown on dissent – and the choices they face about where to go. And we hear about a new way to speed up the hunt for one of the universe's most elusive enigmas: dark matter. Welcome to episode 4 of The Conversation Weekly, the world explained by experts. Since China imposed a new National Security Law on Hong Kong in mid-2020, the situation for protesters has become much more dangerous. Many of...

Feb 25, 2021•36 min•Ep. 4

Coronavirus vaccines: what’s getting in the way of the global rollout

This week we’re talking to researchers about how COVID-19 vaccines are manufactured – and a battle over the intellectual property rights surrounding them. And we hear from a researcher looking into why China is closing down coal-fired power stations faster in some places than others. Welcome to episode 3 of a new podcast from The Conversation, the world explained by experts. While some of the world’s richest countries are racing ahead with large-scale programmes to vaccinate their populations, f...

Feb 18, 2021•37 min•Ep. 3

Myanmar's collective fury

Welcome to episode 2 of a new podcast from The Conversation, the world explained by experts. This week we’re talking to researchers about Myanmar – and what it's like looking for COVID-19 in wild animals. Protests have rocked Myanmar in recent days as people took to the streets demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's de factor leader who was arrested during a military coup on February 1. We speak to two academics who study Myanmar, Adam Simpson , Senior Lecturer in International...

Feb 11, 2021•35 min•Ep. 2

Why it's a big month for Mars

Welcome to the first episode of a new podcast from The Conversation, the world explained by experts. This week we’re talking to researchers about Mars – and Belarus. For the past six months, three different space missions have been on their way to Mars. Now, all three – from the United Arab Emirates, China and the US – are due to arrive at the red planet in February within a few weeks of each other. We talk to three experts, Jim Bell , Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Ar...

Feb 04, 2021•36 min•Ep. 1

Trailer: The Conversation Weekly

Introducing The Conversation Weekly, the world explained by experts. Made by the team at The Conversation . Each week we talk to academics to help unpack the context behind the headlines – and hear from scholars carrying out brand new research about how the world works. Hosted by Gemma Ware in London and Dan Merino in San Francisco. Produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware, with sound design by Eloise Stevens and music by Neeta Sarl....

Jan 25, 2021•2 min

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