The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

How The Conversation’s journalism made a difference in August

  • Written by Benjamin Clark, Deputy Engagement Editor, The Conversation
How The Conversation’s journalism made a difference in August

Every month, we track what happened to The Conversation authors after we published their articles. Here are some of their stories from August 2021.

Millions of readers accessed evidence-based information

First up, a back-to-back success story. The article that attracted the most interest from our audience in August was, remarkably, the same piece that topped the list in July – Lara Herrero from Griffith University’s piece[1] on how the symptoms of the Delta strain differ from traditional COVID symptoms. An additional 628,912 readers sought out this explainer last month, taking it to a total of 2.4 million reads overall. It is now our 7th most-read article of all time. With case numbers for the Delta strain growing globally, readers around the world are clearly appreciating Lara’s expert tips on what symptoms to look out for.

Our second most-read article in August was Kevin Davis from the University of Melbourne’s take[2] on the government’s ‘emergency’ super changes, which he argues will help wealthy tax dodgers the most.

Over on social media, our coverage[3] of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan inspired our most-liked Instagram post ever (over 29,000), with users responding to its call to “not look away as the Taliban sexually enslaves women and girls”.

Putting evidence in front of decision-makers, from Canberra to Geneva

Our articles also caught the attention of several prominent figures and organisations in domestic and international governance last month.

Greens Senator Larissa Waters quoted Graeme Orr from the University of Queensland’s article[4] about the Political Party Registration ‘Integrity’ Bill in federal parliament. Not that it stopped the bill being rammed through on very short notice and without the normal committee inquiry, which Graeme had urged against.

After the University of Melbourne’s Azadah Raz Mohammad and Monash University’s Jenna Sapiano wrote about the implications of the Taliban’s return for Afghan women, their article[5] was shared by Australia for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

After University of Auckland’s Meg Parsons and Māori researcher Lara Taylor wrote about[6] why Indigenous knowledge should be an essential part of how we govern the world’s oceans, the NZ National Commission for UNESCO republished the article[7] on their new oceans science website Te Tini a Tangaroa. Spyros Schismenos from Western Sydney University’s article[8] on what to do in a flash flood was also shared by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s PreventionWeb.

On a not-so-serious note, federal MP Brett Mitchell weighed in on who would win in a fight between a wedge-tailed eagle and a bald eagle, after Dominique Potvin from the University of Sunshine Coast’s brought her animal ecology expertise to bear on the hypothetical Trans-pacific tussle[9].

Mitchell wrote:

“I think the author must have been comparing a juvenile wedgie with what is, for all intents and purposes, a glorified seagull.”

Your heading here

Outside the political sphere, our academic authors also saw their research amplified by other media outlets – and some well-known influencers.

After Matthew Mclaughin and his University of Newcastle colleagues co-wrote this piece[10] on healthier lunchbox options for kids, the authors were interviewed on Channel 9 news and the Today show.

After Florey Institute neuroscientists Trevor Kilpatrick and Steven Petrou wrote about[11] COVID’s effect on the brain, they were interviewed by Dr Norman Swan on the ABC’s Coronacast podcast:

Finally, when actress Christie Whelan announced on Twitter that she was going to buy an Oodie, ABC culinary correspondent and author Alice Zaslavsky politely suggested she reconsider, citing this academic takedown[12] from University of Tasmania marine scientists Vincent Yap and Jennifer Lavers on the environmental and health impacts of the popular brand of hooded blankets.

References

  1. ^ piece (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ take (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ coverage (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ article (theconversation.com)
  5. ^ article (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ wrote about (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ republished the article (tetiniatangaroa.org.nz)
  8. ^ article (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ hypothetical Trans-pacific tussle (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ this piece (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ wrote about (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ this academic takedown (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-the-conversations-journalism-made-a-difference-in-august-167356

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...