The Big Q
Questions - Ideas - Scholarship - DebatesProject for Public Interest Media
Politics & Society
Who is to blame for the crisis of voter decline in local elections? 🔊
New Zealand’s local elections took place over the weekend with the average turnout nationally falling below fifty percent.
History Masterclass: Who was New Zealand’s first populist government? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Linda Bryder talks about New Zealand’s first populist government, the Liberal Government which served from 1891 to 1912. To date, it is the longest-serving government in New Zealand history.
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?
Canada votes: Is change on the way? 🔊
Canada’s federal election is taking place on October 21. Justin Wong spoke with Daniel Béland about the election and whether Trudeau can be re-elected.
History Masterclass: How can we understand American populism? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Paul Taillon explores American populism through history and how we can understand it in terms of today’s politics.
How bad is the discrimination against trans and non-binary people? 🔊
This week, a report on the health of trans and non-binary New Zealanders revealed some alarming statistics into psychological distress, discrimination and ongoing barriers to health services. The report titled Counting Ourselves is a comprehensive study into the barriers faced by trans and non-binary people and calls for various improvements to laws, policies, and the provision of clearer pathways to gender-affirming healthcare.
Science & Technology
What is the future of work in a techno-human world? ▶
In a lecture given at the University of Auckland, Professor Judith Bessant (RMIT University) speaks about her work looking at techno-human futures and how this could affect work cultures moving forward.
Q+A: How is climate change reshaping oceans and marine life?
How is climate change affecting the oceans and marine life? What are the interactions between the earth, the atmosphere, and the ocean, and how does that affect human life? What measures can people take to prevent massive environmental damage?
Is vaping the answer to quitting smoking? 🔊
A New Zealand study has found that those who use nicotine e-cigarettes in conjunction with other nicotine supplements such as patches have a higher chance of quitting than those who don’t.
How bad is the discrimination against trans and non-binary people? 🔊
This week, a report on the health of trans and non-binary New Zealanders revealed some alarming statistics into psychological distress, discrimination and ongoing barriers to health services. The report titled Counting Ourselves is a comprehensive study into the barriers faced by trans and non-binary people and calls for various improvements to laws, policies, and the provision of clearer pathways to gender-affirming healthcare.
Q+A: Why are shark populations in decline?
Often thought of as the king of the ocean, shark populations are on the decline the world over, while their habitats have been affected by human contact. Mitchell Fuller talks to Riley Elliot about sharks, their decline, and the role they play as apex predators in our ecosystems.
Why is the Kererū so important? 🔊
They are known to get drunk on berries, fall out of trees, and hang around humans, but Kererū have become something of a New Zealand icon. They are also the only bird left in New Zealand that can distribute large seeds, and their disappearance would be a disaster for New Zealand’s native forests.
Business & Economics
The future of work in Aotearoa New Zealand: What future for the young? ▶
As new technologies such as robotics and Artificial intelligence continue to grow in influence the very nature of what work means and how it is organised in the future will be radically reconfigured. In this panel discussion, four experts discuss what these changes might mean for the young.
Is the University of Auckland becoming more sustainable?
Over the past few decades Auckland University has been monitoring their carbon emissions and rates of sustainability to reduce the environmental impact of both the university and New Zealand. Has it been working?
What is the future of work in a techno-human world? ▶
In a lecture given at the University of Auckland, Professor Judith Bessant (RMIT University) speaks about her work looking at techno-human futures and how this could affect work cultures moving forward.
Q+A: What will a post-Brexit Britain look like?
What does the election of Johnson mean for Brexit and a polarized British public? What is the future of the British economy? What will the UK look like in 2024?
Why is housing so unaffordable?
New Zealand is the second most overvalued housing market in the world, with Auckland its most unaffordable city, writes Dr. Michael Rehm.
Spotify killed the CD star: How has streaming impacted the music industry?
Sam Smith explores how the growth in music streaming has impacted the music industry.
Arts & Culture
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?
History Masterclass: Who was New Zealand’s first populist government? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Linda Bryder talks about New Zealand’s first populist government, the Liberal Government which served from 1891 to 1912. To date, it is the longest-serving government in New Zealand history.
History Masterclass: Does Australia have a history of populism? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Malcolm Campbell looks at the history of populism in Australia and poses the question of whether Australia has a history of populism.
Spotify killed the CD star: How has streaming impacted the music industry?
Sam Smith explores how the growth in music streaming has impacted the music industry.
History Masterclass: How can we understand American populism? 🔊
In this episode of history masterclass, Paul Taillon explores American populism through history and how we can understand it in terms of today’s politics.
Remapping the order of knowing: The idea of ‘Latin America’ revisited ▶
Is ‘Latin America’ part of ‘the West’? Why ask this question and what do these terms mean for understanding the world today? In this lecture, Professor Walter Mignolo will ask what role the Americas played in forming the colonial matrix of power, introduced by Spain and Portugal in the 16th century.