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China Surpasses US in Research Spending - the Consequences Extend Far Beyond Scientific Ranking and Clout

Scientific innovation has been driving US economic growth for decades. Losing that edge means losing access to the technologies and brainpower that come with it.

theconversation

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Humanity is Heading Back to the Moon. Australia Isn't Even Funding Telescopes

Humanity is Heading Back to the Moon. Australia Isn't Even Funding Telescopes

A program cut has Australian astronomers up in arms - but it points at much bigger problems with national research funding.

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NASA Wants to Build a Base on the Moon by the 2030s - How and Why It Plans to Build Up to a Long-term Lunar Presence

theconversation

Innovation

Science Diplomacy

NASA Wants to Build a Base on the Moon by the 2030s - How and Why It Plans to Build Up to a Long-term Lunar Presence

It's about more than just beating China. As a space lawyer puts it, a Moon base would come with strategic, economic and scientific advantages.

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Panicking Scientists, Canceled Experiments - Federal Funding Cuts Turned My Work As a Research Dean into Crisis Management

theconversation

Careers

Funding

Panicking Scientists, Canceled Experiments - Federal Funding Cuts Turned My Work As a Research Dean into Crisis Management

When the Trump administration took aim at higher education and the scientific research enterprise, a university dean had to figure out on the fly how to support scientists and their work at his school.

theconversation

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News

Policy

Australia Has Set New Expectations for AI Data Centres - They Should Serve the Public

theconversation

Policy

Australia Has Set New Expectations for AI Data Centres - They Should Serve the Public

Essential infrastructure should serve local communities, not just the market.

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Public Health Needs Steady Budgets - and Federal Funding Uncertainty Causes Real Harms, Even if the Money is Later Restored

Public Health Needs Steady Budgets - and Federal Funding Uncertainty Causes Real Harms, Even if the Money is Later Restored

Public health depends on long-term planning, and when that planning is interrupted, some programs never recover.

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The Peer Review System is Breaking Down

theconversation

Research Assessment

Peer Review

The Peer Review System is Breaking Down

Peer review is so integral to the scholarly system that research would grind to a halt without it.

theconversation

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News

Science

AI-generated Text is Overwhelming Institutions - Setting off a No-win 'arms Race' with AI Detectors

theconversation

Science

AI-generated Text is Overwhelming Institutions - Setting off a No-win 'arms Race' with AI Detectors

Generative AI is enabling people to swamp all manner of institutions with documents, forms and messages.

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When Science Discourages Correction: How Publishers Profit from Mistakes

theconversation

Publishing

Journals

When Science Discourages Correction: How Publishers Profit from Mistakes

Academic publishing system often allows scientific errors to persist because it prioritises profit and prestige over timely correction.

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Measures of Academic Value Overlook African Scholars Who Make a Local Impact

Measures of Academic Value Overlook African Scholars Who Make a Local Impact

Ubuntu philosophy is a better way to represent scholarly contributions in African academia.

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The 5 Stages of the ‘Enshittification’ of Academic Publishing

theconversation

Research

Publishing

The 5 Stages of the ‘Enshittification’ of Academic Publishing

"Enshittification" isn’t just confined to the online world. In fact, it’s now visible in academic publishing and occurs in five stages. The same forces that hollow out digital platforms are shaping how a lot of research is produced, reviewed and published.

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Research Breakthroughs Often Come Through Collaborations − Attacks on Academic Freedom Threaten This Vital Work

theconversation

Collaboration

Academic Freedom

Research Breakthroughs Often Come Through Collaborations − Attacks on Academic Freedom Threaten This Vital Work

Academic freedom grew strongly after World War II, with greater university funding, protections and autonomy, yet global data now shows a decline.

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All Government Shutdowns Disrupt Science − in 2025, the Consequences Extend Far Beyond a Lapse in Funding

All Government Shutdowns Disrupt Science − in 2025, the Consequences Extend Far Beyond a Lapse in Funding

The Trump administration is not just reforming the US research system - it is trying to remake it.

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Science Costs Money - Research is Guided by Who Funds It and Why

theconversation

Funding

Research

Science Costs Money - Research is Guided by Who Funds It and Why

The federal government is more likely to fund curiosity-driven basic research, while industry is more likely to support research that has a clearer eventual payoff.

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AI Will Soon Be Able to Audit All Published Research - What Will That Mean for Public Trust in Science?

theconversation

Publishing

Trust

AI Will Soon Be Able to Audit All Published Research - What Will That Mean for Public Trust in Science?

An AI audit of scientific research would likely expose some fraud and widespread inconsequential work. But we need to be careful it doesn't discredit science in general.

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Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change

Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change

Many of Africa's most powerful innovations are not being measured correctly.

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Research Replication Can Determine How Well Science is Working - but How Do Scientists Replicate Studies?

Research Replication Can Determine How Well Science is Working - but How Do Scientists Replicate Studies?

Replication research can take the temperature on how accurate science in a given field is, but research replication is easier said than done.

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Science Requires Ethical Oversight - Without Federal Dollars, Society's Health and Safety Are at Risk

theconversation

Ethics

Funding

Science Requires Ethical Oversight - Without Federal Dollars, Society's Health and Safety Are at Risk

There are several steps between research on seemingly esoteric subjects and breakthrough medical treatments. Ethical oversight at every stage ensures science and society ultimately benefit.

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Cuts to Research into Inequality, Disparities and Other DEIA Topics Harm Science

Cuts to Research into Inequality, Disparities and Other DEIA Topics Harm Science

From HIV treatments to school desegregation, research into topics now considered DEIA have benefited Americans throughout history.

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Cutting Funding for Science Can Have Consequences for the Economy, US Technological Competitiveness

Cutting Funding for Science Can Have Consequences for the Economy, US Technological Competitiveness

America has already lost its global competitive edge in science, and funding cuts proposed in early 2025 may further a precipitous decline.

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How Populist Leaders Like Trump Use 'Common Sense' As an Ideological Weapon to Undermine Facts

theconversation

Scientific Method

Politics

How Populist Leaders Like Trump Use 'Common Sense' As an Ideological Weapon to Undermine Facts

When common sense is promoted as a virtue, it's not just to celebrate how regular people understand the world. It promotes a worldview that rejects empirical facts and paves the way for propaganda.

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How Citizen Science is Shaping International Conservation

theconversation

Citizen Science

Policy

How Citizen Science is Shaping International Conservation

Citizen science can shape policy at every level, from local projects to global initiatives.

theconversation

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News

Africa

Early Career Researchers

Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research

theconversation

Africa

Early Career Researchers

Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research

Global scientific reports about climate change are largely written and reviewed by older researchers from the global north.

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Use-inspired research

Biden Helped Bring Science out of the Lab and into the Community − Emphasizing Research Focused on Solutions

theconversation

Research

Policy

Use-inspired research

Biden Helped Bring Science out of the Lab and into the Community − Emphasizing Research Focused on Solutions

Biden's legacy includes elevating science's influence in federal decision-making and considering the social and ethical effects of research.

theconversation

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Web

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Provides In-house Science Advice for the President

theconversation

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Provides In-house Science Advice for the President

Headed by the president's science adviser, OSTP serves as a one-stop shop for everything science and innovation inside the White House.

theconversation

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Publications

Open Research

Can Science Be Both Open and Secure? Nations Grapple with Tightening Research Security As China's Dominance Grows

theconversation

Open Research

Can Science Be Both Open and Secure? Nations Grapple with Tightening Research Security As China's Dominance Grows

Scientific R&D drives economic competitiveness, military technology and national security. Governments are trying to balance research security with protecting the openness that makes science work.

theconversation

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News

Science Communication

Simple Science Summaries Written by AI Help People Understand Research and Trust Scientists

theconversation

Science Communication

Simple Science Summaries Written by AI Help People Understand Research and Trust Scientists

Scientists use jargon and complicated language to describe their work. Regular folks 'get it' more when descriptions are simpler - and think better of the researchers themselves.

theconversation

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News

Technology

Trump and Harris Are Sharply Divided on Science, but Share Common Ground on US Technology Policy

theconversation

Technology

Trump and Harris Are Sharply Divided on Science, but Share Common Ground on US Technology Policy

Based on federal budgeting requests from the past 2 administrations, Trump and Harris placed different values on science research funding.

theconversation

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Web

Scientific Method

'Junk Science' is Being Used in Australian Courtrooms, and Wrongful Convictions Are at Stake

theconversation

Scientific Method

'Junk Science' is Being Used in Australian Courtrooms, and Wrongful Convictions Are at Stake

Expert opinion is necessary as part of the justice system - but nobody is asking if the experts are fit for the task and if their evidence is reliable.

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Research Espionage is a Real Threat - but a Drastic Crackdown Could Stifle Vital International Collaboration

Research Espionage is a Real Threat - but a Drastic Crackdown Could Stifle Vital International Collaboration

Australia's flexible and proportionate response to the risks of research espionage and foreign interference balance security with the necessity of international collaboration.

theconversation

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China Surpasses US in Research Spending - the Consequences Extend Far Beyond Scientific Ranking and Clout

China Surpasses US in Research Spending - the Consequences Extend Far Beyond Scientific Ranking and Clout

Humanity is Heading Back to the Moon. Australia Isn't Even Funding Telescopes

Humanity is Heading Back to the Moon. Australia Isn't Even Funding Telescopes

NASA Wants to Build a Base on the Moon by the 2030s - How and Why It Plans to Build Up to a Long-term Lunar Presence

NASA Wants to Build a Base on the Moon by the 2030s - How and Why It Plans to Build Up to a Long-term Lunar Presence

Panicking Scientists, Canceled Experiments - Federal Funding Cuts Turned My Work As a Research Dean into Crisis Management

Panicking Scientists, Canceled Experiments - Federal Funding Cuts Turned My Work As a Research Dean into Crisis Management

Australia Has Set New Expectations for AI Data Centres - They Should Serve the Public

Australia Has Set New Expectations for AI Data Centres - They Should Serve the Public

Public Health Needs Steady Budgets - and Federal Funding Uncertainty Causes Real Harms, Even if the Money is Later Restored

Public Health Needs Steady Budgets - and Federal Funding Uncertainty Causes Real Harms, Even if the Money is Later Restored

The Peer Review System is Breaking Down

The Peer Review System is Breaking Down

AI-generated Text is Overwhelming Institutions - Setting off a No-win 'arms Race' with AI Detectors

AI-generated Text is Overwhelming Institutions - Setting off a No-win 'arms Race' with AI Detectors

When Science Discourages Correction: How Publishers Profit from Mistakes

When Science Discourages Correction: How Publishers Profit from Mistakes

Measures of Academic Value Overlook African Scholars Who Make a Local Impact

Measures of Academic Value Overlook African Scholars Who Make a Local Impact

The 5 Stages of the ‘Enshittification’ of Academic Publishing

The 5 Stages of the ‘Enshittification’ of Academic Publishing

Research Breakthroughs Often Come Through Collaborations − Attacks on Academic Freedom Threaten This Vital Work

Research Breakthroughs Often Come Through Collaborations − Attacks on Academic Freedom Threaten This Vital Work

All Government Shutdowns Disrupt Science − in 2025, the Consequences Extend Far Beyond a Lapse in Funding

All Government Shutdowns Disrupt Science − in 2025, the Consequences Extend Far Beyond a Lapse in Funding

Science Costs Money - Research is Guided by Who Funds It and Why

Science Costs Money - Research is Guided by Who Funds It and Why

AI Will Soon Be Able to Audit All Published Research - What Will That Mean for Public Trust in Science?

AI Will Soon Be Able to Audit All Published Research - What Will That Mean for Public Trust in Science?

Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change

Africa's Innovations Are Overlooked Because Global Measures Don't Fit: What Needs to Change

Research Replication Can Determine How Well Science is Working - but How Do Scientists Replicate Studies?

Research Replication Can Determine How Well Science is Working - but How Do Scientists Replicate Studies?

Science Requires Ethical Oversight - Without Federal Dollars, Society's Health and Safety Are at Risk

Science Requires Ethical Oversight - Without Federal Dollars, Society's Health and Safety Are at Risk

Cuts to Research into Inequality, Disparities and Other DEIA Topics Harm Science

Cuts to Research into Inequality, Disparities and Other DEIA Topics Harm Science

Cutting Funding for Science Can Have Consequences for the Economy, US Technological Competitiveness

Cutting Funding for Science Can Have Consequences for the Economy, US Technological Competitiveness

How Populist Leaders Like Trump Use 'Common Sense' As an Ideological Weapon to Undermine Facts

How Populist Leaders Like Trump Use 'Common Sense' As an Ideological Weapon to Undermine Facts

How Citizen Science is Shaping International Conservation

How Citizen Science is Shaping International Conservation

Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research

Why Africa's Young Scientists Should Help Check the Quality of Climate Change Research

Biden Helped Bring Science out of the Lab and into the Community − Emphasizing Research Focused on Solutions

Biden Helped Bring Science out of the Lab and into the Community − Emphasizing Research Focused on Solutions

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Provides In-house Science Advice for the President

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Provides In-house Science Advice for the President

Can Science Be Both Open and Secure? Nations Grapple with Tightening Research Security As China's Dominance Grows

Can Science Be Both Open and Secure? Nations Grapple with Tightening Research Security As China's Dominance Grows

Simple Science Summaries Written by AI Help People Understand Research and Trust Scientists

Simple Science Summaries Written by AI Help People Understand Research and Trust Scientists

Trump and Harris Are Sharply Divided on Science, but Share Common Ground on US Technology Policy

Trump and Harris Are Sharply Divided on Science, but Share Common Ground on US Technology Policy

'Junk Science' is Being Used in Australian Courtrooms, and Wrongful Convictions Are at Stake

'Junk Science' is Being Used in Australian Courtrooms, and Wrongful Convictions Are at Stake

Research Espionage is a Real Threat - but a Drastic Crackdown Could Stifle Vital International Collaboration

Research Espionage is a Real Threat - but a Drastic Crackdown Could Stifle Vital International Collaboration