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Australia's policies on asylum seekers have been criticised by many countries at the UN's Human Rights Council. Department of ImmigrationAustralia’s refugee and border protection policies have been in the spotlight again this week as riots broke out at the Christmas Island detention centre following the unexplained death of an escaped asylum seeker. The incident happened just prior to a review of Australia’s human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council. Many countries criticised Australia’s tough stance on asylum seekers, and called on the government to end its policy of boat turnbacks, mandatory detention and offshore processing. These are the latest episodes in Australia’s long and turbulent history with immigration. From the White Australia policy to Vietnamese refugees to the current turning back of boats, the treatment of migrants and refugees has long been controversial and divisive in Australia. Dallas Rogers spoke with Shanthi Robertson and Ien Ang about national identities and the

Despite having a higher than average rate of viable donors, Australia’s organ donation rate is lower than much of the developed world. from www.shutterstock.comRoughly 1,600 people are currently on waiting lists to receive an organ transplant in Australia. But for many, the wait will be unsuccessful due to the low number of donors. Australia was once a world leader in organ donations, but today its organ donation rate is lower than much of the developed world. The country ranks 20th in the world for donations, despite having a higher than average rate of potential donors, and sits below world leaders such as Spain, Belgium, France and the USA. Australia’s approach has been to focus on signing up more people to be donors and on encouraging families to consent to donation after the death of a relative. But if Australia wants to be world-leading, that’s not enough. William Isdale spoke with Aric Bendorf about what needs to change if Australia is to, once again, become a leader in organ donation. Subscribe

Supermassive black holes, containing as much mass as millions or billions of suns, exist at the centre of all galaxies, including our own Milky Way. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, CC BY-SABlack holes are incredibly strange phenomena: a collapsed star packed into a tiny region of space. Their gravitational force is so strong that not even light can escape. So it is not surprising that, for a long time, black holes were not thought to actually exist – they were only a theoretical possibility. But today, not only do we realise that black holes are relatively common in the universe, we also know that there are black holes lurking in the centre of all galaxies – including our own Milky Way Galaxy. These black holes, called supermassive black holes, can pack the mass of millions or billions of suns into a region smaller than our solar system. Tanya Hill spoke to Meg Urry, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Yale University and currently the President of the American Astronomical Society, about distant gala

Liberal candidate Andrew Hastie has campaigned strongly on local issues. Richard Wainwright/AAPThis Saturday’s Canning byelection has turned from being a poll on Tony Abbott to being a test of both new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Political analyst Natalie Mast spoke with “Poll Bludger” William Bowe about what Monday’s leadership spill will mean for the vote in Canning. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio. Music: Free Music Archive/Blue Dot Sessions: Castro Additional audio: Channel 7 News, ABC News Natalie Mast is Chair of the Editorial Board of The Conversation.

Who ya gonna call? The World Health Organization has been criticised for its poor response to last year's Ebola outbreak. Ahmed Jallanzo/AAPThe recent Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa occurred in three of the poorest and least resourced countries in the world. And as Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia all struggled with the epidemic, it was clear a global response was needed to contain the disease. But the response, led by the World Health Organization, has been widely criticised for being too slow and inadequate, and over 11,000 people have died from the epidemic. While there is relief that the outbreak now seems contained, how will the world respond to the next global health crisis? William Isdale spoke with Lawrence Gostin about the lessons we can learn from the Ebola epidemic and the future of global health. This interview was made by possible by the Australian Centre for Health Law Research at the Queensland University of Technology. Professor Gostin was in Brisbane as a guest of the Centre.

Noami Klein speaking in Sydney. Christopher Wright, Author providedIn her latest book, This Changes Everything (2014), the Canadian writer and activist Naomi Klein tackles the issue of climate change through a familiar prism: capitalism. She argues that unrestrained capitalism is the root of the problem and that the global response to climate change has, thus far, been shaped by wealth and power. Christopher Wright spoke to Naomi Klein on the eve of her appearance at the Sydney Festival of Dangerous Ideas about the impact of capitalism on the climate, and how grassroots movements – not market-based approaches – hold the key to tackling the all-pervading problem of climate change. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio. Music: Free Music Archive/Broke For Free Additional audio: AFP, NBC News, ABC News Christopher Wright is a member of the Academy of Management The academ

Congested roads and overcrowded public transport services are common problems in many of our cities. Dam Himbeechts/AAP As anyone who travels to work would probably realise, Australia’s transport infrastructure needs urgent upgrades. As our cities continue to grow, it is virtually impossible to escape the tangle of peak-hour congestion. But with governments focused on reducing deficits, only one or two transport infrastructure projects are likely to be implemented. So how are decisions about which infrastructure to build made? And how much of a say do the people who actually use the transport system have in which projects are prioritised? Dallas Rogers spoke with Crystal Legacy about the politics of transport infrastructure, and the role urban planning can play in democratising the process of funding and implementing projects. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio. Music: Free Music Archive/Blue Dot Sessions: Union Hall, Transfusion by Anitek, Run

It will be many years before life returns to normal in the Langtang valley, one of the regions worst-affected by the earthquakes in Nepal. Scott Mattoon/flickr, CC BY-SAHayley Saul and Emma Waterton were doing anthropological field work in the Langtang valley in Nepal when the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit on April 25 this year, killing more than 9,000 people. At the time of the quake, they were with several local guides from the village of Langtang, now dubbed “the worst affected” area in Nepal. Saul and Waterton were recording local oral histories. They were interested in how these local stories were written into the Himalayan landscape. It was their guides’ knowledge of the landscape, their humble acts of bravery and kindness that saved Saul and Waterton’s lives many times over two tough days, and enabled them to reach safety. Saul and Waterton would witness many acts of courage and heroism after the earthquake, which was often not reported by the overseas media that tended to focus on the qu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised economic growth and good times ahead for India, but faces many challenges. Jane Dempster/AAPRecent IMF and World Bank forecasts show that India’s economy could take over from China as the world’s fastest growing economy in the next two years. The two organisations’ tick of approval for the Modi government’s development agenda comes just over a year after Narendra Modi lead the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a landslide win in the 2014 Indian elections, securing 282 seats and gaining majority control of the lower house – something that no other single party has done since 1984. The election result was unthinkable a few years ago. Under the previous Congress party government, India had seven years of GDP growth of around 8% or more, and India was seen as the next emerging economic power after China. But the growth faltered and a series of major corruption scandals destroyed the credibility of the Congress government. By the time of the 2014 elections, Indians, who

Australian cities are increasingly building up rather than building out. AAP/Joel CarrettAustralia’s growing population has put enormous pressure on the housing market within the major cities, which have expanded further and further out. But new settlements on the urban fringe require governments to invest in costly new infrastructure, and states such as Victoria and New South Wales have started to build up, rather than build out. This effort to combat urban sprawl has lead to a rapid growth in the number of high density housing being built closer to existing infrastructure. This presents unique challenges: noisy neighbours, smaller living areas, more shared spaces, and increased burdens on existing infrastructure. Dallas Rogers spoke with Hazel Easthope about the benefits and challenges of high density housing, and the mix of design, build and social considerations needed to create sustainable urban living environments. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tune

Captain America was one of several nationalistic superheroes created during the Second World War era. © MarvelSuperhero films are big business. Avengers: Age of Ultron recently passed US$1 billion in box office sales. The first Avengers film is currently third in all-time box office rankings. The popularity and success of Batman, Ironman and the Avengers have contributed to a revival of the American superhero on the big screen. And though the latest films may seem like modern superhero narratives, the themes that make them relevant today stretch back to the 1930s and 40s, and the environment that gave rise to the first superheroes: the great depression, an undercurrent of fascism in America, and the looming Second World War. Dallas Rogers speaks with Jason Dittmer on the continued relevance of superheroes in both popular and political culture, and the influence of fascism and geopolitical forces on the superhero narrative. Jason Dittmer is the author of Captain America and the Nationalist Superhero: Meta

Record-low interest rates could further inflate the housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne. Paul Miller/AAPThe Reserve Bank cut interest rates to 2% on Tuesday hoping to stimulate business investment and household spending. The RBA’s decision was welcomed by Treasurer Joe Hockey, but there are concerns the record-low rate will further inflate the already heated housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne. The Economist magazine recently evaluated Australia’s housing market to be overvalued by more than 25% (along with Britain and Canada). Even accounting for our higher incomes, Australia’s house prices are now among the highest in the world. While there is sympathy for the difficulties faced by would-be first-time homebuyers, a strong housing market is often associated with jobs and revenue for States and Territories (the economies of both New South Wales and Victoria have strengthened significantly partly due to the housing sector). Rising house prices are also good news for many Australians – more than 60%

Australian moral philosopher Peter Singer is a strong advocate of effective altruism, and has written a book on the movement called The Most Good You Can Do. Birkbeck Media Services/flickr, CC BY-NC-NDAustralians are among the most charitable people in the world, donating around A$2.4 billion a year. But how can we ensure the money we donate is used as effectively as possible? There are more than 60,000 registered charities in Australia, ranging from international NGOs to environmental organisations. While most appeal to our emotions when fundraising, someone wanting to have the greatest positive impact could equally apply reason, mathematics and moral philosophy when deciding who, and what, they donate to. Effective altruism is a social and philosophical movement that tries to provide a rational framework for deciding how we should spend our money and time (including which careers we should pursue) in order to do the most good. Australian philosopher Peter Singer is a vocal champion of the movement, an

Many cities are starting to recognise that street art has both a cultural and economic value. SalTheColourGeek/Flickr, CC BY-SAIs graffiti art or crime? The modern form of graffiti made its way to Australia from the US in the 1980s, and it quickly was characterised as a blight on our urban landscapes. Classified as vandalism, many cities adopted tough legal measures to deter graffiti artists from tagging walls and trains. Today, the situation largely remains the same. Graffiti is still illegal. The city of Hobart recently “declared a war” on graffiti, as have many other cities and councils. Even US film director David Lynch is reported to have said that graffiti “has pretty much ruined the world” at a recent speech at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art. But at the same time, cities have also begun to value and promote street art - effectively a legal form of graffiti. Street art is now recognised as having both cultural and economic value, and many graffiti artists have transitioned to take advantage of thi

A traditionalist view of childhood has created certain fears among adults regarding children and technology. www.shutterstock.comIs technology bad for kids? As more devices and software applications are made specifically for an increasingly younger audience, there is concern about the appropriateness of children using technology – and debate over when it should be introduced into their lives. Yet at the same time, personal devices and touch screens are everywhere. Kids love them for the same reasons we do, and many argue that learning to use them will likely be important to their education and employment prospects later in life. Tamson Pietsch speaks with Joanne Orlando, an expert on educational technology at the University of Western Sydney, about the increased use of technology by children and the potential impact on child development. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio. Music: Free Music Archive/Podington Bear: Yearning Tamson Pietsch receive

Many Australian films have significant cultural capital that should also be considered when measuring their level of success. ShutterstockThe Australian Film Commission (AFC) was founded with a budget of A$6.5 million in 1975 with the hope of revitalising the Australian film industry to a point where it could sustain itself without government support. The funding resulted in what is now generally regarded as the “golden age” of Australian cinema in the 1970s and 80s. But even today, most Australian films are still primarily funded through government bodies such as Screen Australia (the successor to the AFC) and through tax offsets. Despite the release of many critically-acclaimed films in 2014 (The Babadook, Charlie’s Country, and The Infinite Man, among others), ticket sales were relatively low. Australians don’t watch enough local films to sustain the industry without substantial government support. And yet the success of Australian films can’t be measured on box office numbers alone. Vincent O’Donnell

Australia has changed from primarily being a destination for permanent settlers to having an increasing number of temporary arrivals. Ben Beiske/Flickr (modified), CC BY-NC-SAImmigration is a contentious topic in many parts of the world, and the debate in Australia has been predictably framed around asylum seekers, the burdens on taxpayers and the protection of local jobs. This narrow focus has meant migrants are often divided into categories of “good” and “bad”. The reality is a lot more complex and nuanced. For much of Australia’s history, most migrants were permanent settlers. Now, increasing numbers of temporary visitors – students, working holiday makers and temporary workers – are arriving. The shift in the nature of migration and the make-up of migrants has had significant flow-on effects on the economy and society which are often forgotten. Dallas Rogers speaks with Shanthi Robertson about the changing face of migration in Australia and the complex relationships between governments, migrants and com

Religious institutions have consistently struggled to respond to child sexual abuse cases appropriately. L'Osservatore Romano/EPAThe Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reconvened this week. Announced in 2012, the commission was established due to growing concerns over consistently inadequate responses to child abuse cases by institutions. Although the current Royal Commission is focused on cases within living memory in a wide range of institutions, the hearings reveal that Australian churches have a long and sad history of abuse and cover-up. Religious interpretations, changing legal definitions and evolving societal attitudes have all influenced the way child sexual abuse has been handled within churches and in the wider community. Tamson Pietsch speaks to Tim Jones about child sexual abuse within Australian religious institutions, and how the current debate has been framed by past events. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on

Australia’s ability to influence China will largely depend on how it engages with China’s complex and growing diplomatic machinery. ShutterstockThe emergence of China as a 21st-century superpower has already had profound impacts on Australia. As China reshapes the balance of power, not only in the Asia-Pacific region but globally, its influence on Australia is likely to increase. China’s economic and military growth will also challenge the world’s other superpower – and Australia’s traditional security ally – the United States. Caught between these two superpowers, Australia’s ability to manage this difficult diplomatic balancing act could well determine its future prosperity and security. Tamson Pietsch speaks with Kerry Brown, executive director of the China Studies Centre, about Australia’s place in the Chinese Century and the role diplomacy has to play. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes, or follow on Tunein Radio. Image: Shutterstock Music: Free Music Archive/Kindread

The science of astronomy has existed for thousands of years and forms a vital part of Indigenous Australian culture. Ben Ashmole/flickr, CC BY-NCAboriginal and Torres Strait islander people have between 40,000 and 60,000 years of pre-colonial history that includes stories of constellations they observed in the night sky and traditions that align with the stars and the moon. But until recently, these stories were largely dismissed by the scientific community. Researchers are now finding that Indigenous oral traditions contain vast environmental and scientific intelligence. These complex knowledge systems have helped Indigenous people survive Australia for tens of thousands of years. Tamson Pietsch speaks with cultural astronomer Duane Hamacher about Indigenous astronomy and its complex relationship to history, culture and applied scientific knowledge. Subscribe to The Conversation’s Speaking With podcasts on iTunes. Image: flickr/Ben Ashmole Music: Free Music Archive/Chris Zabriskie Tamson Pietsch rece