Monthly Archives: June 2025

Associations of ideas, new challenges: the secrets of memory for better learning

Associations of ideas, new challenges: the secrets of memory for better learning

While novelty stimulates the brain, assimilating unfamiliar information is a real challenge, particularly when preparing for school and university exams. How then can we create associations of ideas to anchor learning over time? When preparing for exams, it can sometimes feel impossible to cram all the information you need into your brain. But there are […] … learn more→

Can a robot help you age better?

Can a robot help you age better?

As more of us live longer, can robots help us maintain healthier, more independent and dignified lives? The robots I’ve been studying are friendly, helpful machines that can talk, remind, monitor – and even offer a form of companionship for older people. By 2050, the global population of adults aged 60 and above is projected to […] … learn more→

f you want to be well informed, don't fall for the headline traps (and this isn't one of them)

f you want to be well informed, don’t fall for the headline traps (and this isn’t one of them)

Twenty years ago, it was still common to go buy bread and a newspaper. Paper required slow reading, turning the pages with your fingers, and having a pencil handy to fill out a crossword puzzle. But the economic crisis erupted in the mid-2000s. As the internet grew in homes and social media reached mobile devices, […] … learn more→

Do people really resemble their dogs?

Do people really resemble their dogs?

Many dog owners wonder whether they share similarities with their dogs, including characteristics like a calm temperament, a sociable personality or even a bit of stubbornness. The idea that people and dogs resemble each other is not just a joke. In fact, some researchers have explored this question. As a clinician and researcher who has been studying […] … learn more→

One year ago, Australia scrapped a key equity in STEM program. Where are we now?

One year ago, Australia scrapped a key equity in STEM program. Where are we now?

In June 2024, the Australian government ended the Women in STEM Ambassador program. The decision followed a report that urged a broader, intersectional approach to diversity in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). For six years, under the leadership of astrophysicist Lisa Harvey-Smith, the program contributed to research, tools and resources aimed at breaking […] … learn more→

100 years ago, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling on parents’ rights in education – today, another case raises new questions

100 years ago, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling on parents’ rights in education – today, another case raises new questions

A century ago, the Supreme Court handed down one of its most important cases about education. On June 1, 1925, the court struck down an Oregon statute requiring all students to attend public school – a law critics argued was meant to limit faith-based schools, at a time when anti-Catholic bias was still common in parts of […] … learn more→

How do social media influence what we see on television?

How do social media influence what we see on television?

In a society where 86% of Internet users aged 12 to 74 use social media , it’s inevitable that traditional media outlets will focus on what’s happening there to find current affairs. Furthermore, we must consider that internet penetration (90%) has already surpassed television use (82.4%) in Spain, according to the General Media Study . Television previously held a […] … learn more→

Are influencers villains, victims or champions of change? The reality is more complex

Are influencers villains, victims or champions of change? The reality is more complex

Social media influencers have become cultural powerhouses, setting trends, shaping lifestyles and even swaying political views. As their influence grows, so do ethical debates about them: are they villains exploiting their audiences, victims of an unregulated industry or champions driving positive change? In our chapter in the recently released book, Influencer Marketing, we synthesized existing literature to […] … learn more→

Dealing with perfectionism

Dealing with perfectionism

Some academic writers are crippled by the desire to write perfect prose from the very start. Even though they know that the first draft is always rough, they find writing rough difficult. They have what writing advice calls an over-active inner critic. Rather than saving that little critical voice for reading and refining the first […] … learn more→

Your WhatsApp messages could get you sacked

Your WhatsApp messages could get you sacked

It’s late evening and your phone vibrates with some banter from colleagues. You join the conversation and go to bed feeling part of the work community. You then wake up and have a feeling of apprehension as to how the messages will be perceived. WhatsApp might have started as a casual messaging app for friends, […] … learn more→