The Big Q
Questions - Ideas - Scholarship - DebatesProject for Public Interest Media
Politics & Society
Who are the Gilets jaunes?
For the past four weeks, the Gilets jaunes protests have dominated the French socio-political landscape and monopolised the media. But who are they exactly?
What are the implications of the US-China trade war? 🔊
In 2018, the United States and China have been embroiled in a trade war with each country continuing to raise tariffs placed on goods traded between the two nations. But what exactly are Donald Trump’s tariff policies and what will be their effects?
Is it time for a law change on cannabis use in New Zealand?
A medicinal cannabis bill has just past its third reading in the New Zealand parliament. But is it time to also look at recreational use in the country?
How does the media weaponise far-right conspiracy theories?
Heather Woods and Leslie Hahner discuss how mainstream media helps to weaponize far-right conspiracy theories.
Q+A: How does our unconscious mind alter political outcomes?
Scientists are finding more and more evidence that human behaviour is not rational, not conscious, and maybe completely programmed without our rational thinking. How does the unconscious mind and biological predispositions effect political outcomes and prejudice biases?
Is patriotism the solution to nationalism?
Is patriotism the solution to nationalism? Peter S. Henne explores.
Science & Technology
Is it time for a law change on cannabis use in New Zealand?
A medicinal cannabis bill has just past its third reading in the New Zealand parliament. But is it time to also look at recreational use in the country?
Q+A: How does our unconscious mind alter political outcomes?
Scientists are finding more and more evidence that human behaviour is not rational, not conscious, and maybe completely programmed without our rational thinking. How does the unconscious mind and biological predispositions effect political outcomes and prejudice biases?
What is NASA’s new lander doing on Mars?
On 26 November 2018 NASA’s lander InSight successfully touched down on Mars. But what is it doing there?
Does reduced agrobiodiversity threaten our food systems?
Fewer crops are feeding more people worldwide and that is not good according to Karl Zimmerer.
How can ancient cultures help us survive the coming climate crisis?
Paleoclimatologists are digging into the connections between the collapse of Maya Civilization and extreme droughts.
Why are we sending worms into space?
We are sending worms into space. But why?
Business & Economics
Does reduced agrobiodiversity threaten our food systems?
Fewer crops are feeding more people worldwide and that is not good according to Karl Zimmerer.
Could a meat tax save thousands of lives every year?
Marco Springmann explores the benefits of implementing a tax on meat.
What are the implications of the US-China trade war? 🔊
In 2018, the United States and China have been embroiled in a trade war with each country continuing to raise tariffs placed on goods traded between the two nations. But what exactly are Donald Trump’s tariff policies and what will be their effects?
Could Auckland’s urban sprawl affect food security?
Is Auckland’s food security under threat from urban sprawl? Alexander Louis explores.
Brexit: What’s in the deal?
Seven academics discuss Brexit. What is in the deal? And what does it mean?
Is climate change the cause of rising world hunger?
World hunger has risen for three straight years, and climate change is a cause according to Jessica Eise and Kenneth Foster.
Arts & Culture
How does the media weaponise far-right conspiracy theories?
Heather Woods and Leslie Hahner discuss how mainstream media helps to weaponize far-right conspiracy theories.
Q+A: Artists, Israel, and BDS: To play or not to play?
Sam Smith spoke with Mark LeVine about the impact of the BDS movement and the ongoing issue facing musicians on whether or not they should perform in Israel.
Should looted artefacts be returned to the cultures that made them?
Returning looted artefacts will finally restore heritage to the brilliant cultures that made them according to Mark Horton.
Was the slave trade ever really abolished?
Slavery was never abolished – it affects millions, and you may be funding it as Catherine Armstrong explains.
Broken survivors: With them through hell
The thousands of New Zealand men who fought in the First World War went through hell. And right beside them was another fighting force. Anna Rogers explores the story of New Zealand’s medical services in WWI.
125 years of women’s suffrage: A small country leading the world?
Raewyn Dalziel, Emeritus Professor of History, celebrates a moment when New Zealand was at the forefront of world-leading reform.