High heels, lace and handbags. In recent decades, there’s been a huge shift in the role of North Korean women and the choices they’re able to make – including what they wear.

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we hear about new research on how North Korean women are driving a new form of grassroots capitalism, and changing the country in the process. Scroll down for more highlights from around the editions of The Conversation this week.

Gemma Ware

Editor and Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast

Small shops, many run by women, are a common sight in North Korea. Lesley Parker

North Korean women are now the breadwinners – and shifting this deeply patriarchal society towards a matriarchy

Gemma Ware, The Conversation

Bronwen Dalton and Kyungja Jung explain how North Korean women are driving a new form of grassroots capitalism. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

So much ocean plastic originates from sources on land, but once floating in the sea it poses a risk to marine wildlife and habitats. Rich Carey/Shutterstock

Five hotspots where floating plastic litter poses the greatest risk to North Atlantic marine life – new study

Samantha Garrard, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

As it travels around the ocean, plastic litter can harm wildlife and marine habitats in many ways. This study highlights five key hotspots where floating plastic poses the biggest risk.