The Conversation Archives | Carleton Newsroom

July 7, 2025

The Oldest Rocks on Earth Are More Than Four Billion Years Old

Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago, during the geological eon known as the Hadean. The name "Hadean" comes from the Greek god of the underworld, reflecting the extreme heat that likely characterized the planet... More

June 25, 2025

Why Queer-Themed Shows Evoke a Bittersweet Nostalgia for Missed Childhood Moments

Imagine suddenly longing for a past you’ve only seen in a show filmed before you were born. Or, reverse that: Imagine wishing you could re-do your childhood while watching a brand new show like Heartstopper,... More

June 24, 2025

A Chance Discovery of a 350 Million-Year-Old Fossil Reveals a New Type of Ray-Finned Fish

In 2015, two members of the Blue Beach Fossil Museum in Nova Scotia found a long, curved fossil jaw, bristling with teeth. Sonja Wood, the museum’s owner, and Chris Mansky, the museum’s curator, found the... More

May 22, 2025

Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council: A Collaborative Approach to Strengthening Food Systems

The dismantling of government institutions and an erosion of transparent governance in the United States are cause for serious concern. The situation south of the border has underscored the value of democracy and governance mechanisms... More

May 22, 2025

In ‘Paying for It,’ Ex-Lovers Reimagine Friendship, Family and the Meaning of Sex Work

The film Paying For It, Sook-Yin Lee's live-action adaptation of cartoonist Chester Brown’s 2011 graphic memoir, reveals unexpected overlaps between paid sexual encounters and romantic relationships.

May 22, 2025

The Rise of Psychedelic Capitalism: Work Harder and Be Happy About It?

Once stigmatized and outlawed, psychedelics are moving from the counterculture to the mainstream. From Prince Harry's use of psilocybin to National Football League quarterback Aaron Rodgers' adventures with ayahuasca, our media is awash with accounts... More

May 15, 2025

Looking for Mental Health or Wellness Advice in a Book? Check the Author’s Credentials First

Self-help books are a mainstay of the non-fiction market. According to a 2022 study by BookNet Canada, self-help titles account for 17 per cent of non-fiction book sales. Some of these books can go on... More

May 13, 2025

‘Elbows Up’ in Canada Means Sustainable Resource Development

"Elbows up" means many things today in Canada, including using the country’s rich natural resources more effectively to support a strong, independent economy that benefits people and society. We agree with the need to ensure... More

May 6, 2025

Mark Carney Wants To Make Canada an Energy Superpower — but What Will Be Sacrificed...

Mark Carney Wants To Make Canada an Energy Superpower — but What Will Be Sacrificed for That Goal?

Canada's recent federal election was regularly dubbed one of the most consequential of the last 50 years. Economic and sovereignty threats from United States President Donald Trump were key issues in the campaign. In response,... More

May 1, 2025

How Can Mark Carney Reduce Violent Crime in Canada? Through Prevention and Youth Outreach

Newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney and the governing federal Liberals must work to reverse the trends in rising violent crime. Canada needs a federal minister with clear responsibility for the prevention of violent crime,... More

May 1, 2025

Using Fire To Produce Nanoparticles Could Revolutionize Various Industries

Fire is arguably humanity’s earliest discovery. It was pivotal in advancing society — underpinning many of humanity’s most transformative inventions, from cooking and forging weapons to generating energy and enabling car combustion engines. Today, fire... More

April 29, 2025

What Canada Can Learn From China on Effectively Engaging With Africa

Canada’s recent launch of a new Africa Strategy comes at a moment of profound geopolitical change and growing shifts in global development co-operation. As the western-led order and development model faces increasing scrutiny, countries like... More