Mavka: The Forest Song – Ukrainian animation echoes the ecocide of wartime

Sometimes I feel that after Chernobyl our land is cursed. Hearing about French children watching Mavka in a Parisian cinema, I felt hope.

Viktoriia Grivina, PhD Candidate, School of Modern Languages and Social Anthropology, University of St Andrews • conversation
Feb. 27, 2024 ~7 min

Climate disaster movies resonate in ways that news never will

This powerful new eco drama suggests “cli-fi” could play a crucial role in climate communication.

Oli Mould, Professor in Human Geography, Royal Holloway University of London • conversation
Jan. 24, 2024 ~6 min


Meg 2: the truth about the extinct mega shark – and why even this ridiculous film could inspire future palaeontologists

A paleobiologist on why he appreciates the franchise despite its inaccuracies.

Jack Cooper, Doctoral researcher in Palaeobiology, Swansea University • conversation
Aug. 1, 2023 ~7 min

Meg 2: a paleobiologist on why he appreciates the franchise despite its inaccuracies

Megalodons are extinct and not as large as The Meg makes them out to be but they were pretty impressive apex predators.

Jack Cooper, Doctoral researcher in Palaeobiology, Swansea University • conversation
Aug. 1, 2023 ~7 min

Fast X: why cars don’t really explode when they crash

Exploding cars are a staple feature of the Fast & Furious films. Entertaining, yes. But realistic - not so much.

Hal Sosabowski, Professor of Public Understanding of Science, University of Brighton • conversation
May 18, 2023 ~5 min

Interactive cinema: how films could alter plotlines in real time by responding to viewers' emotions

A new film changes its story based on the emotions expressed by the viewer.

Richard Ramchurn, Assistant researcher, University of Nottingham • conversation
March 20, 2023 ~8 min

How Studio Ghibli films can help us rediscover the childlike wonder of our connection with nature

Films like Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro and Nausicaä created by Hayao Miyazaki explore the perils of neglecting nature.

Yuan Pan, Lecturer in Environmental Management, University of Reading • conversation
April 29, 2022 ~6 min

What is aphasia? An expert explains the condition forcing Bruce Willis to retire from acting

The ‘Die Hard’ actor is suffering from a communications disorder that affects 2 million Americans.

Swathi Kiran, Professor of Neurorehabilitation, Boston University • conversation
March 31, 2022 ~6 min


Cow documentary shows the need for fundamental legal rights for animals

Andrea Arnold’s new film chronicles the daily strife of Luma – a dairy cow and mother.

Joe Wills, Lecturer in Law, University of Leicester • conversation
Feb. 7, 2022 ~7 min

Growing human embryos in the lab and why scientists just tweaked the rules – podcast

Plus, how a new wave of South African romcoms is reimagining Johannesburg. Listen to episode 17 of The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Daniel Merino, Assistant Editor: Science, Health, Environment; Co-Host: The Conversation Weekly Podcast • conversation
May 27, 2021 ~6 min

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