Liz Truss has become the UK’s third ever female prime minister, after she was elected to the leadership of the Conservative Party by its grassroots members. So what can we expect from her?

Ben Wellings writes that Truss won the vote by being seen as the “continuity” candidate from Boris Johnson. But “in electing Truss as leader, Conservative members have increased their party’s chances of losing the next general election” for precisely the same reason: that she offers more of the same.

For Australia, the switch from Johnson to Truss is unlikely to have major implications, as Truss, like Johnson, is a big fan of Australia. This means the free trade agreement between Australia and the UK and the AUKUS agreement – the strategic alliance between Australia, the UK and the US – will remain the same.

Back home, the sailing will not be so smooth, with Britons facing several serious problems, most urgently a cost of living crisis that will only intensify as winter approaches.

Amanda Dunn

Politics + Society Editor

Who is Liz Truss, the new UK prime minister?

Ben Wellings, Monash University

Liz Truss has defeated Rishi Sunak to become the next prime minister – but her victory makes the Conservatives much more likely to lose the next election.

True crime entertainment like The Teacher’s Pet can shine a light on cold cases - but does it help or hinder justice being served?

Greg Stratton, RMIT University; Alyssa Sigamoney, RMIT University; Jarryd Bartle, RMIT University

While Dawson’s conviction may seem like a win for investigative journalism, it remains unclear if true crime entertainment can regularly play a tangible role in achieving justice.

5 virus families that could cause the next pandemic, according to the experts

Allen Cheng, Monash University; Andrew van den Hurk, The University of Queensland; Cameron Webb, University of Sydney; Damian Purcell, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

Authorities have been warned about five virus families that could cause future pandemics. Here are snapshots of the diseases each can cause and why we should be worried.

Taxes out, subsidies in: Australia and the US are passing major climate bills – without taxing carbon

Ian A. MacKenzie, The University of Queensland

Climate bills in Australia and the US promise progress without carbon taxes or markets. Here’s why.

Uncivil wars? Political lies are far more dangerous than Twitter pile-ons

Jane Goodall, Western Sydney University

The claim that contempt is the source of contemporary political problems looks weak and obtuse in the face of what is actually happening in America now

What parents should and shouldn’t say when talking to their child about NAPLAN results

Jessica Holloway, Australian Catholic University

Results are coming back for students in years, 3, 5, 7 and 9. It can seem like a very big deal to stressed students. In reality, it is only one indicator of how a child is progressing.

Planning a renovation or new build? Here’s the outlook for skyrocketing steel and timber prices

Flavio Macau, Edith Cowan University

If you’re holding off on renovating until next year expecting prices to calm down, odds are you will be disappointed.

Male artists dominate galleries. Our research explored if it’s because ‘women don’t paint very well’ – or just discrimination

Robert Hoffmann, RMIT University; Bronwyn Coate, RMIT University

People in our experiments liked art by women – but believed women’s paintings are less attractive for investment.

The Webb telescope has released its very first exoplanet image – here’s what we can learn from it

Jonti Horner, University of Southern Queensland

The James Webb Space Telescope just released its first-ever exoplanet image. Here’s what’s so exciting about it, and what we can stand to learn.

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