Expert voices: Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal

Editor's note

As Astronomer Royal and a former president of the Royal Society, Martin Rees has much to say about some of the world's – and the universe's – biggest questions. In an exclusive interview conducted at Trinity College, Cambridge, Rees talks about the value of looking beyond the horizon, and why the coming decade will bring us closer to understanding the origin of life and what it might tell us about the likelihood of alien species. As a member of the House of Lords, Rees also talks candidly about Brexit, the importance of expert voices and the power of speaking to everyday people.

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Matt Warren

Executive Editor

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In conversation: Martin Rees. EPA Images

Aliens, very strange universes and Brexit – Martin Rees Q&A

Martin Rees, University of Cambridge

The Astronomer Royal answers some of the world's – and the universe's – biggest questions.

Science + Technology

Elon Musk wants to merge man and machine – here's what he'll need to work out

Davide Valeriani, University of Essex

It's a slow process, but billionaires like Musk push boundaries and help researchers set long-term goals for developing brain-computer interfaces.
'Machine folk' music composed by AI shows technology's creative side

Bob Sturm, Queen Mary University of London; Oded Ben-Tal, Kingston University

Rather than replace humans, AI could actually boost our creativity.

Business + Economy

Scotland's dazzling visitor attraction numbers are not quite what they seem

Anna Leask, Edinburgh Napier University

Are Edinburgh Castle et al really acing their English equivalents?
Thing-ification: why the human face of work needs to be brought back in

Stephanie Russell, Anglia Ruskin University

We spend most of our waking hours at work, but are we really ourselves when we step through the door?
How Britain's monolingualism will hold back its economy after Brexit

Gabrielle Hogan-Brun, University of Bristol

The cultivation of language experts in post-Brexit Britain is essential if it wants to connect with fresh markets overseas.

Health + Medicine

What's the best source of protein for building muscle – meat or plants?

Oliver Witard, University of Stirling; Kevin Tipton, University of Stirling; Lee Hamilton, University of Stirling

New research on whether animal- or plant-based protein sources are better have been severely misrepresented.
Public Health England's new guideline for the food industry is unlikely to curb obesity

James Brown, Aston University

Body weight is a complex issue and going after one culprit is not enough.

Politics + Society

How the Great Repeal Bill could turn into a major government power grab

Steve Peers, University of Essex

The white paper proposing post-Brexit legal changes is deceptively technical. In reality, it has much wider implications.
May's warning to EU over security has been called blackmail – but it's more likely a bluff

Carina O'Reilly, Anglia Ruskin University

The prime minister has linked continued security cooperation with the EU to a successful trade deal. Was that wise?
Why have there been so few protests against Brexit?

Neil Davidson, University of Glasgow

Although thousands have taken to the streets, protests against Brexit have been muted.
New welfare reforms put extra pressure on single parents to enter paid work

Ruth Patrick, University of Liverpool

From April, single parents will have to look for work when their youngest child turns three.
Liberating Mosul is one thing – next comes the real challenge for Iraq

Simon Mabon, Lancaster University

Islamic State will change tack after Mosul, but Iraq isn't ready for what comes next.

Education
10 things every child with autism wishes you knew Helen Driver, Northumbria University, Newcastle; Joanna Reynolds, Northumbria University, Newcastle Because the world can look different to a child on the autism spectrum.