The Big Q
Questions - Ideas - Scholarship - DebatesProject for Public Interest Media
Politics & Society
US and China are both raising the military stakes in the South China Sea
“Perhaps the particular issue here lies not with direct risks in and around the South China Sea but back in Washington DC.”
Has the COVID-19 crisis pushed solidarity in the European Union?
Has the COVID-19 crisis pushed solidarity in the European Union? Stefano Riela explores.
What is it like living through a pandemic if you are under military occupation? 🔊
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended the lives of people all over the world. The sense of powerlessness and the fear of infection has alienated people regardless of political situations. But in areas of conflict or military and political occupation, populations are even more at risk.
A city under siege: What are the legal and political implications of the presence of federal agents in Portland? 🔊
Ever since the killing of George Floyd, the city of Portland has witnessed consistent protests and civic action demanding police reforms. However, recently, camouflaged federal authorities without identification badges have begun arresting protesters in the city, while the Department of Homeland Security has deployed unmarked SUV’s to detain protesters.
Social media as the new wild west: How can we curb lawlessness on Facebook?
The crisis of lawlessness on Facebook means it has become a breeding ground for alienation, fragmentation and xenophobia across the globe.
Just how healthy is Aotearoa’s freshwater?
In addition to providing a source of taha wairua and taha tinana, particularly for iwi, freshwater health is recognised as a necessary strategic and productive asset for New Zealand.
Science & Technology
Are we doomed if we don’t manage to curb emissions by 2030?
“Humanity is not doomed, not now or even in a worst-case scenario in 2030. But avoiding doom — either the end or widespread collapse of civilisation — is setting a pretty low bar.”
Can New Zealand keep coronavirus out?
Stringent border controls and mandatory quarantine give New Zealand a good chance to remain free of COVID-19 for months to come, according to new modelling from Te Pūnaha Matatini.
Our seabirds are in trouble: What do we do?
Currently, 90% of New Zealand’s seabirds are threatened with extinction. It is a colossal loss and a colossally sad number.
How bad is the microplastic pollution in our waterways?
“I was surprised. The streams here are small and New Zealand is supposed to be clean, but the levels were the same as the Danube and the Rhine.”
What was the world like the last time carbon levels were this high?
What was the climate and sea level like at times in Earth’s history when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was at 400ppm?
Can effective framing encourage people to take better care of our oceans?
Effective communication, capable of garnering public support for marine conservation, appears more urgent now than ever before.
Business & Economics
Has the COVID-19 crisis pushed solidarity in the European Union?
Has the COVID-19 crisis pushed solidarity in the European Union? Stefano Riela explores.
How did the promising aircraft design end in catastrophe? The rise and fall of the Boeing 737 MAX
Lauren Ensor looks into the rise and fall of the Boeing 737 MAX.
New Zealand universities: What’s the reality in our rankings?
“The Labour Party promises to make all tertiary education free by 2024; and this is an admirable goal; but unless it is accompanied by a serious re-thinking of the nature, purpose, and funding base of our universities it will only lead to further decline.”
Is the sun setting on unsustainable long-haul, short-stay tourism?
“The tourism rebuild must involve all measures being taken to create a high-value, low-leakage and low-emissions tourism future.”
What is the fate of the driverless car?
“The only thing clear is that as technology accelerates, the lack of guidelines and clear accountability may chill autonomous driving commercialisation.”
Grasping challenges: Does COVID-19 represent an economic opportunity for New Zealand?
Covid-19 will continue to change and challenge our economy, culture and society for years to come. But New Zealand has some real advantages as we move beyond the initial disruption and fallout from the pandemic.
Arts & Culture
New Zealand universities: What’s the reality in our rankings?
“The Labour Party promises to make all tertiary education free by 2024; and this is an admirable goal; but unless it is accompanied by a serious re-thinking of the nature, purpose, and funding base of our universities it will only lead to further decline.”
What does the future hold for the New Zealand media landscape in a post-COVID world?
New Zealand media faces a conundrum as it tries to create a trustworthy, innovative and sustainable model in the Covid-19 world, while absorbing thousands of job losses.
What does the future hold for liberal arts education? 🔊
Universities are increasingly wanting to appeal to students who look to their study as a training period for future employment. However, this has put traditional liberal arts subjects like philosophy and sociology at risk.
The snake, the hedgehog and the Berlin Wall: How significant is the fall of the wall thirty years on?
Stephen Resch reflects on the fall of the wall thirty years on.
Is the United States haunted by its racist past? 🔊
In recent weeks, the news in the United States has been filled with stories of statues and public spaces being altered or removed. These stories are usually connected with America’s racist past, with a particular eye towards the issue of slavery.
What have been the long-term consequences of Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia in 1979? 🔊
In 1979, Vietnam invaded Cambodia and overthrew the Khmer Rouge government. This government had committed genocide since its seizure of power in 1975. Vietnam’s motivations have been asserted in a wide range of explanations from the advancement of communism to humanitarian interests to strategic interests.