The University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is a global leader in higher education. Across our campuses we convene brilliant minds from different disciplines and sectors to come together to address important questions and tackle grand challenges. In a disrupted world, that capacity has never been more important.

Our vision is to equip our students with a distinctive, future-facing education personalised around their ambitions and needs, enriched by global perspectives and embedded in a richly collaborative research culture. As active citizens and future leaders, our students represent our greatest contribution to the world, and are at the heart of everything we do.

We serve society by engaging with our communities and ensuring education and research are inspired from the outset by need and for the benefit of society, while remaining committed to allowing academic freedom to flourish. In this, we remain true to our purpose and fulfil our mission as a public-spirited organisation, dedicated to the principles of fairness, equality and excellence in everything we do.

We strive for an environment that is inclusive and celebrates diversity.

Beyond our campuses we imagine an Australia that is ambitious, forward thinking and increasing its reputation and influence globally. We are committed to playing a part in achieving this – building on our advantageous location in one of the world’s most exciting cities and across the state of Victoria, in a region rapidly becoming a hub for innovative education, research and collaboration.

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After much back-and-forth over the logistics of the third debate, Shorten and Morrison finally faced off at the National Press Club, moderated by Sabra Lane. Mick Tsikas/AAP

Shorten and Morrison make their final cases in third leaders’ debate: our experts respond

No gaffes, no real surprises – the third leaders’ debate was a fairly predictable affair, save for the testy conclusion
The coral reef of Rarotonga helped scientists create a better climate history. Corey Huber

El Niño has rapidly become stronger and stranger, according to coral records

El Niño events can affect millions of people around the world, causing drought in Australia and floods in the Americas.
Indian general elections begin April 11. vepar5/shutterstock

India election 2019: millions of Indian youth are underemployed and going to the polls

India election 2019: millions of Indian youth are underemployed and going to the polls The Conversation, CC BY64.4 MB (download)
The world's largest democracy will see its biggest young voter turnout since gaining independence 72 years ago, with millions delivering their verdict on Narendra Modi's BJP government.
In the latest Avengers film, our heroes grapple with the consequences of villain Thanos wiping out half the population. The study of resource management shows why this wouldn’t necessarily solve hunger and resource scarcity. Marvel Studios/IMDB

Avengers: Endgame and why a smaller population doesn’t guarantee paradise

Marvel villain Thanos wiped out half the universe’s population to create paradise. But as the Avengers find out in Endgame, solving resource scarcity is not that simple.
A brain freeze is an intense ‘squeezing’ sensation on your head. Nina Maile Gordon/The Conversation

Curious Kids: what is brain freeze?

There are several different science ideas around why, but the answer may have something to do with what happens when we cool down the roof of our mouth.
Senators during the Senate Select Intelligence Committee’s hearing on the social media influence in the 2016 U.S. elections in Washington November 2017. The graphic shows conflict at a rally that was created and promoted by fake Facebook accounts run by Russian trolls. Shawn Thew/EPA

Friday essay: networked hatred ‑ new technology and the rise of the right

In the face of digital disruption that threatens the very fabric of democratic culture we must refashion Enlightenment oppositions for new times.
We care about more than economics when it comes to the polling booth. So why don’t governments listen? from www.shutterstock.com

It’s time to vote for happiness and well‑being, not mere economic growth. Here’s why:

Countries around the world are taking society’s happiness and well-being into account when formulating policy. So, why is Australia so focused on economics as the sole marker of progress?
A tribunal will decide Thursday if Rugby Australia has the right to terminate Folau’s contract over his controversial social media posts – a dispute that raises questions about free speech, religious freedom and human rights and discrimination law. Paul Barkley/AAP

Explainer: does Rugby Australia have legal grounds to sack Israel Folau for anti‑gay social media posts?

Folau has sought a full code of conduct committee hearing to decide his future with Rugby Australia. Depending on how the tribunal rules, the case could be heading to federal court next.
Veterinarians face a moral dilemma when asked to euthanise healthy pets. Shutterstock

Why your veterinarian may refuse to euthanise your pet

Vets can often grapple with ‘convenience euthanasia’, where a client brings in a pet because it may, for instance, interfere with their lifestyle.
Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten were plenty snarky with one another during the debate, but otherwise stuck mainly to their scripts. Nic Ellis/AAP

Morrison and Shorten take aim at one another in leaders’ debate: experts respond

The Conversation’s experts analyse the first Morrison-Shorten debate, with a focus on the key policy issues and the leaders’ performances.
People expect drivers to stop for them at pedestrian crossings, but what if they know autonomous vehicles will stop any time someone chooses to step in front of them? Varavin88/Shutterstock

Nothing to fear? How humans (and other intelligent animals) might ruin the autonomous vehicle utopia

How will people respond once they realise they can rely on autonomous vehicles to stop whenever someone steps out in front of them? Human behaviour might stand in the way of the promised ‘autopia’.

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