2016: a very bad year for women
It was a vintage year for women's visibility, but that's not necessarily a good thing.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Politics + Society
Anthill 8: Goodbye 2016, hello 2017
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Where do we go from here? After a dramatic year, we look ahead to some key economic and political trends that will influence our lives over the next 12 months.
The world’s words of the year pass judgement on a dark, surreal 2016
All over the world, people are trying to boil down their experiences of 2016 into a single word. The results speak for themselves.
In one of 2016’s best books, a former Lord’s Resistance Army child soldier reveals the reason behind the mayhem
Even 'madmen' have their motives for fighting.
Five ways to make 2017 a better year for everyone
Let's draw a line under the political divisions that have defined 2016. We'll all benefit from a more grown-up discussion in the new year.
Analysis and Comment
The Victorians gave us the Christmas cracker – but are also to blame for the terrible jokes inside
Q: If you were to kill a conversational goose, what vegetable would she allude to? A: Ah-spare-a-goose! Gettit?
The new ‘100% effective’ Ebola vaccine owes a debt to the scientists who beat smallpox
The final trials of the first effective Ebola vaccine show it's safe to use against an outbreak.
What child is this? Miraculous births and divine parents in the time of Jesus
Jesus wasn't the only son of a god in ancient times. And, as you'd expect, divine offspring tended to be high achievers.
High-tech agriculture can prevent oncoming global water wars
The crops of the future must become much better at dealing with dehydration.
What the magi had in common with scientists
Even the sceptical can admire the determination of the wise men.
How the internet is failing to drive economic development where promised
There's a huge divide in thinking between academia and international development on the role of the internet in economic growth.
Why girls are put off studying computer science
How the geek effect and a sexist games industry is putting girls off a career in computing.
Cocktails have transformed from drinks into aphrodisiac experiences
Today’s trendiest booze makers and bars insist on going rather further than the simple imbibing of alcohol.
How to avoid an argument about inequality over the Christmas turkey
A guide to steering your family away from a dialogue of the deaf about poverty and inequality this festive season.
How legal aid cuts are putting extra strain on family courts
The UK's family court system is at breaking point.
Why Donald Trump’s China policy is a trade war in the making
Donald Trump looks like he's gearing up for a trade war with China that has been years in the making.
Why this new ‘winter of discontent’ presents both headaches and opportunities for Labour
There is little chance of industrial unrest on the the scale of the 1970s, but Labour still has to tread carefully.
Scientists have discovered a new state of matter for water
Liquid water develops different properties above around 50℃.
From creepy clowns to the dancing plague – when phobias are contagious
Your phobias might just be influencing another's fears.
How reliable is the Eatwell Guide, the official chart of what foods you should be eating?
After 20 years, Public Health England finally released a revised Eatwell Guide – here's what changed.
TV Christmas ads come with the gift of gender stereotyping
From women in the kitchen to Santa’s huge ego, Christmas ads are still ridden with conservative gender messaging.
The law should protect all victims of domestic violence – but women need it most
An MP's attempt to block a bill to address violence against women was utterly misguided – here's why.
Japan’s change in military outlook marks the end of a ‘Peace State’
Combat could be on the cards for the first time in over 70 years.
Basic income is a radical idea bound for the political mainstream – here’s why
Scotland is the latest place to look at piloting the concept.
Is the end of time in sight for Doctor Who?
There are whispers of crisis around the 53-year-old series.
Babies don’t need sleep coaches – but sometimes their parents do
Welcome to the controversial world of sleep consultancy, where coaches and counsellors train new born babies to 'sleep through the night'.
Uncovering the language of the first Christmas
The nativity offers an enticing opportunity to discover how words and interpretations have shaped the story and our understanding of it.
How the American Civil War cemented modern Christmas traditions
Christmas tends to assume a strong sense of its own significance in times of protracted conflict.
Why Berlin Christmas market attack puts new pressure on Angela Merkel
The high profile attack will polarise an already strained political debate in Germany.
Switched-on city: how London learned to love Christmas lights
But they haven't been without controversy.
Christmas market attack: a blow to the heart of German cultural life
The latest atrocity has targeted a much-loved German institution.
Tens of thousands of dead fish just washed up on a Cornish beach – here’s why
Fishermen had to discard their excess fish – or risk capsizing.
Three radical political experiments for a new age of extremes
The far left and the far right are closer than they'd like to admit. So can some of their better proposals gain ground in 2017?
Why we become more forgetful with age – and what you can do about it
What's going on in the brain when something seems familiar but we don't know why.
Air pollution expert: why Christmas may be the most toxic day of the year
Party poppers, candles and wood fires will get you feeling festive – and breathing pollution.
The busy Romans needed a mid-winter break too … and it lasted for 24 days
We've always needed a party to look forward to in the bleak midwinter.
Jo Cox charity single: there’s no going back in the merging of pop and politics
MPs and rock songs may seem like odd bedfellows, but the charity single marks a longstanding shift in how music mobilises the masses.
Here’s why young children often prefer wrapping paper and boxes to actual presents
Forget about the expensive gifts, for young children, it's all about the paper and the packaging this Christmas.
The Charity Commission’s Jediism religion decision is a rogue one
Jediism is not a religion? Tell that to its worshippers.
Your child probably knows the truth about Santa – they’re playing along for the presents
Kids as young as seven have a good enough sense of logic to work out the truth and why it can be better to lie.
Challenging your partner’s harsh parenting could benefit the children
New research highlights the dangers of being too supportive when family relations are strained.
How TV channels are selling themselves this Christmas
From that gay kiss to dragon slaying, festive TV adverts speak volumes about the broadcasters.
Food security and why Christmas dinner is in peril
From turkeys to salmon and brussels sprouts, modern living is putting mounting pressure on the festive feast.
Five ways Christmas affects your brain
Scandinavian winters of old were less hygge, more Nordic Noir
Turkey and Russia’s relationship is strong enough to survive ambassador’s murder
Half a century of homelessness in the UK – here’s what has changed
Christmas stuffing: here’s what happens to your body when you overeat
Podcasts
The Anthill
We unearth some of the best and brightest research from the world of academia.
Listen to the podcast
Discover
Here’s how we can protect ourselves from the hidden algorithms that influence our lives
Politicians want to regulate the software that decides if we get a loan or a job, but existing laws can already protect us – if we know how to use them.
How the ‘Santa lie’ helps teach children to be good little consumers
What's so wrong about not wanting your child to believe in Santa?
Scientists are trying to uncover what makes Stradivarius violins special – but are they wasting their time?
A new study analyses the chemistry of a Stradivarius, but there's little evidence these violins actually sound any better.
New insight into elusive antimatter can help unravel universe’s mysteries
New research has compared hydrogen and antihydrogen up to ten decimal places for the very first time.
So you want to build a Death Star? Here’s how to get started
Scientific breakthroughs in graphene production and nuclear fusion may help us build the super space stations of the future.
Five things you need to know about giving and receiving gifts this Christmas
Can Christmas tree lights really play havoc with your Wi-Fi?
How your Christmas turkey arrives already stuffed – with antibiotics
Rogue One: a new front in long battle over the Star Wars brand
Why dog theft is on the rise – and how you can keep your pet safe
Where is the ‘alt-left’ on social media?
Five ethical Xmas presents where no one ends up with a goat
Brexit
What will happen to arms exports under Brexit?
One of the UK's biggest export industries depends heavily on cooperation with other EU member states.
How Eastern Europe is best placed to hit the ground running after a hard Brexit
Britain has a number of bilateral treaties with Eastern European countries that will remain after Brexit.
Never mind Article 50, here’s why Article 127 could be crucial to keeping Britain in the single market
You might be familiar with Article 50, but Article 127 of another European treaty could be as important when it comes to Brexit.
Is there really a link between school performance and the Brexit vote?
Why Britain’s public finances will suffer if Brexit reduces migration
Is there really a link between school performance and the Brexit vote?
Europe has never liked borders – and it won’t be confined by them now
Brexit in the Supreme Court – here’s what it all means
Refugees struggle to access universities, but Scotland is showing a way forward
UK is heading for ‘soft’ Brexit – support for new EU patent court proves it
Could an end to corporate tax help Britain’s Brexit-burdened finances?
After Brexit, what does democracy mean?
Britain is becoming more diverse, not more segregated
A Brexit strategy that could unite UK’s parliaments – and keep Britain in the single market
Why the media got it so wrong on Trump and Brexit
What happened to integrating immigrants in Britain?
Hard, soft, smooth, rough – we need better words if Brexit is going to work
Remain means remain: Nicola Sturgeon cannot be ignored on Brexit
A hard Brexit and reduced migration won’t benefit UK workers
Shout loud, Remainers – democracy means giving the majority a hard time
Global development
Here’s what happened at Habitat III – the world’s biggest conference on cities
As many as 30,000 delegates gathered to decide the future of cities for the next 20 years – here's how it played out.
Brexit threatens Britain’s reputation as an agenda-setter for foreign aid
Britain uses its aid for soft power. How will that change after it leaves the EU?
When world leaders thought you shouldn’t need passports or visas
In the 20th century, governments considered the “total abolition” of passports as an important goal and discussed the issue in several international conferences.
Podcast
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Lost in translation: five common English phrases you may be using incorrectly
A few of those sayings that most people tend to get wrong.
Why time seems to go by more quickly as we get older
As the years advance, time flies faster. Here's why.
Could NATO go to war with Russia … and what would happen if it did?
A new book warns that a lack of Western resolve could lead to World War III.
How internet porn affects romantic life
When reality fails to match fantasy, relationships can suffer.
Five laws about the dead that may spook you
From the basics of corpse disposal to why your wishes don't actually count.
Here’s what dogs see when they watch television
Dogs like a little TV – and researchers have been investigating why.
The five most addictive substances on Earth – and what they do to your brain
Be careful: many of us have tried at least two of them.
Why do humans have an innate desire to get high?
Humans have a desire to transcend everyday existence. So laws banning psychoactive substances are on a hiding to nothing.
Events
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Isaac Newton: The apple and the Principia — University of York
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Explaining the Role of Violence in the Brazilian State — UCL
How we are different
10 reasons
Most Read past week
- How penis bones help primates win the mating game – and why humans might have lost theirs
- Scientists have discovered a new state of matter for water
- Chemical attraction: why mosquitos zone in on some people, but not others
- The dangers of being a bridesmaid in China mean some brides now hire professionals
- Five ways Christmas affects your brain
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