The Big Q
Questions - Ideas - Scholarship - DebatesProject for Public Interest Media
Politics & Society
Is the United Nations achieving its sustainable development goals? ๐
In 2015, the United Nations passed the sustainable development goals with targets for poverty reduction, economic development, environmental protection, and political empowerment. How were these goals chosen? Has the UN been achieving their goals?
Was the killing of Qasem Soleimani legal under international law? ๐
Doug Becker discusses the laws of war and the current tensions between the US and Iran with Mark Drumbl, Hannah Garry, and Hamoud Salhi.
What needs to be done to prevent a climate-induced collapse? ๐
Why do sustainable business initiatives so often fail? What fundamental changes do we need from societies and the economic system to stem a climate change-induced collapsed? What economic systems might work on a planet with a finite capacity to sustain life?
Why are Indians protesting a new citizenship law?
A new citizenship law in India has sparked demonstrations across India, with protestors angered by the legislationโs exclusion of Muslim refugees.
What is the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process?
Carwyn Jones outlines the process iwi go through to settle Treaty grievances.
What could the UK’s foreign policy look like after the general election? ๐
The United Kingdom goes to the polls on December 12 with Brexit one of the main issues for voters. How will the country vote? Will Brexit finally happen? What will UK foreign policy look like moving forward?
Science & Technology
How can we adapt to a fierier world?
George Perry explains the uptake in wildfires globally and how we can adapt to our changing environment.
Why did White Island erupt and why was there no warning?
Why did White Island erupt and why was there no warning? Shane Cronin explains what happened.
Why do volcanoes erupt and can we forecast future activity?
Why do volcanoes erupt and can we forecast future activity? Phil Shane explains the science behind volcanoes.
Off the grid: How can we optimise solar power in Oceania and beyond?
As it becomes obvious that societyโs use of fossil fuels needs to be addressed, renewable sources of energy have been celebrated as a way for the world to break its fossil fuel dependence.
How do your genes affect your mental health? โถ
In this lecture hosted by the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland researchers discuss how knowing what your genes do can guide the development of future personalised medicine for prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and type 1 diabetes.
Climate change: Is a careful revolution possible?
In a chapter taken from the new book “A Careful Revolution: Towards a Low-Emissions Future,” David Hall discusses how to tread carefully as the world undertakes what amounts to a climate revolution.
Business & Economics
What needs to be done to prevent a climate-induced collapse? ๐
Why do sustainable business initiatives so often fail? What fundamental changes do we need from societies and the economic system to stem a climate change-induced collapsed? What economic systems might work on a planet with a finite capacity to sustain life?
How bad is poverty in New Zealand? ๐
New research conducted by AUTโs New Zealand Work Research Institute has found that more than 50,000 working households are living in poverty across New Zealand.
Are renewable co-operatives the solution to climate change?
Ben Goldson explores whether renewable co-operatives are the solution to climate change?
E-scooters and human rights: What are the ethical dilemmas in their supply chain and in consumersโ wellbeing?
E-scooters have taken off. But what are the ethical dilemmas in their supply chain and in consumersโ wellbeing?
What is the future of food?
Gilbert Wong looks at the forces shaping the future of food and how research is contributing to whatโs likely to be on our plates in 2030.
What would a merger between TVNZ and RNZ mean for New Zealand’s media landscape? ๐
The New Zealand Government is considering significant changes to the configuration of public service media in New Zealand.
Arts & Culture
Why do people steal art? ๐
The recent heist at the Green Vault within the Dresden Castle in Germany has been speculated to be one of the largest art heists in history.
What impact will Twitter’s political ad ban have on democracy? ๐
Last week, Twitter announced it would ban all political advertising from the 22nd of November. Founder Jack Dorsey says that political reach should be earned not bought.
What would a merger between TVNZ and RNZ mean for New Zealand’s media landscape? ๐
The New Zealand Government is considering significant changes to the configuration of public service media in New Zealand.
Q+A: Scars of the past: What is historical memory and how does it change?
How important is historical memory in politics? What can we learn about how our memories of the past are manipulated to change current and future politics? What can we learn from memory entrepreneurs in places like the former Yugoslavia?
Turning off the lights: Is the government to blame if Mediaworks’ TV3 shuts down?
Is the government to blame if Mediaworks’ TV3 shuts down? Peter Thompson looks into the crisis at the struggling network.
Why do we need journalism?
Journalism is facing a profound financial crisis. Around the world, news outlets are closing, and journalists are losing their jobs. Should we be worried?