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The Conversation

The Conversation is an independent, not-for-profit media outlet that works with academic experts in their fields to publish short, clear essays on hot topics.

Mental Health
What “Loving-Kindness” Meditation is and How to Practice it in the New Year

What “Loving-Kindness” Meditation is and How to Practice it in the New Year

The Conversation

Regular mindfulness practice has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep and quicker healing after injury and illness

Abbasid Empire
Literature from Islamic Societies embraced homoerotic Love until the 19th century. What happened?

Literature from Islamic Societies embraced homoerotic Love until the 19th century. What happened?

The Conversation

Attitudes towards homosexuality in early Islamic societies were complex

Dissent
Inequality alone doesn’t cause civil Unrest – but Internet Access adds the crucial Spark

Inequality alone doesn’t cause civil Unrest – but Internet Access adds the crucial Spark

The Conversation

The poorest half of humanity, meanwhile, receive just 8% of income and own 2% of wealth

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
Syria’s incomplete security Transition has left gaps for Islamic State to Exploit

Syria’s incomplete security Transition has left gaps for Islamic State to Exploit

The Conversation

The incident underscores how deeply fragmented Syria’s security landscape remains one year after Assad.

Antarctica
West Antarctica’s History of rapid Melting Foretells sudden Shifts in Continent’s ‘catastrophic’ Geology

West Antarctica’s History of rapid Melting Foretells sudden Shifts in Continent’s ‘catastrophic’ Geology

The Conversation

Much of the discussion about the melting of massive ice sheets during a time of climate change addresses its effects on people

Christianity
What World was Jesus born into? A Historian describes the turbulent Times of the real Nativity

What World was Jesus born into? A Historian describes the turbulent Times of the real Nativity

The Conversation

We all know the Christmas story is one in which peace and joy are proclaimed, and this permeates our festivities

Israel/ Palestine
“You will not Kill our Imagination:” Palestinian Memoirist Saeed Teebi

“You will not Kill our Imagination:” Palestinian Memoirist Saeed Teebi

The Conversation

Teebi’s efforts to come to terms with the failures and powers of language to narrate a Palestinian story that can stand for itself

Climate Crisis
Climate Breakdown: Even “Weak” Cyclones cause Fatal Flooding as Oceans Heat Up

Climate Breakdown: Even “Weak” Cyclones cause Fatal Flooding as Oceans Heat Up

The Conversation

By Ligin Joseph, University of Southampton (The Conversation) – The final week of November was devastating for several South Asian countries. Communities in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand were inundated as Cyclones Ditwah and Senyar unleashed days of relentless rain. Millions were affected, more than 1,500 people lost their lives, hundreds are still missing, and […]

Displaced and Refugees
1/4 of Syrian Expat Refugees Have Returned, but many to Destroyed Homes, Land Disputes

1/4 of Syrian Expat Refugees Have Returned, but many to Destroyed Homes, Land Disputes

The Conversation

By Sandra Joireman, University of Richmond (The Conversation) – Close to 1.5 million Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned to their home country over the past year. That extraordinary figure represents nearly one-quarter of all Syrians who fled fighting during the 13-year civil war to live abroad. It is also a strikingly fast pace for a […]

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