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One thing seems to unite the refugees inhabiting the camps of Dunkirk and Calais: despite relentless hardships and suffering, they are determined to seek sanctuary in the UK. As the government’s controversial Rwanda bill is mired in further delays, our latest Insights long read examines why such policies seem to have very little effect when it comes to stopping the boats.
Researcher Sophie Watt volunteered in various camps in the summer of 2023, speaking to refugees to understand why they were willing to risk everything to cross. She moved among the smuggling gangs and mafia in charge of the crossings, hearing stories from people who had been through hell in their own countries and on the journey to France. As one Egyptian asylum seeker told her: “I have not escaped the police brutality from my country, smugglers from Libya, the crossing of the Mediterranean and the ‘jungle’ in France for nothing. I was determined to come to the UK.”
We also look into the recent history of the Tory party and what it says about the latest plot to topple Rishi Sunak. And we examine the findings of a study which seems to add to a growing body of evidence linking microplastics with a
higher risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
A fan of cutting-edge debate and putting ideas at the centre of public life? Then you won’t want to miss HowTheLightGetsIn, the world’s largest ideas and music festival this spring. Returning to Hay-on-Wye from 24-27 May, the event will convene world-leading thinkers and Nobel Prize winners, including David Petraeus, Gillian Tett, Roger Penrose, Daniel Dennett, Peter Singer and Sophie Scott-Brown. A remedy to online echo-chambers, the festival unites speakers
across disciplines to chart tangible solutions to the crises of our era. And don’t miss The Conversation’s event at the festival on Sunday 26th May, with our very own editor Avery Anapol delving into
whether “meaningful work” exists in today’s age. We’re delighted to offer 20% off tickets with code CONVO24. Get discounted tickets here.
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Paul Keaveny
Investigations Editor
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Refugees in line for food outside a ‘wild camp’ in Loon Plage in 2023.
Frédérique de Bels
Sophie Watt, University of Sheffield
Despite the relentless hardships and suffering, one thing appeared to unite the refugees I met: they wanted to seek sanctuary in the UK, no matter what.
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Alamy/ImagePlotter/EPA/Andy Rain/Shutterstock/pcruciatti
Mark Garnett, Lancaster University
Mordaunt is predicted to lose her seat at the election so it’s now or never for her – but the path to victory is laden with obstacles.
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There is growing concern about the threats microplastics may pose to human health.
Deemerwha studio/ Shutterstock
Meiru Wang, Leiden University
The findings of this recent study adds to a growing body of evidence linking microplastics with health harms.
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Politics + Society
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Jonathan Este, The Conversation
A selection of our coverage of the conflict in Gaza from the past fortnight.
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Natalie Hodgson, University of Nottingham
An expert on immigration law explains the latest developments with the safety of Rwanda bill.
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Claudia Milena Adler, University of York; Abdullah Yusuf, University of Dundee
A repeat of the Berlin airlifts of 1948 and 1949 would require a unity of political will that doesn’t exist in the west – at least, not yet.
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Arts + Culture
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Deborah Shaw, University of Portsmouth
Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s odd-couple road movie caper shows just how far lesbian film has come in the last century.
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James Chapman, University of Leicester
The casting of James Bond has been met with much intrigue and myth over the years.
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Sarah Golightley, University of Strathclyde
The ‘troubled-teen industry’ is big business, and it’s causing a lot of harm.
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Mia Chen Ma, University of Strathclyde
3 Body Problem tells a story of survival, betrayal, and a relentless quest for human and alien coexistence.
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Education
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Caitlin M Prentice, University of Oslo; Francis Vergunst, University of Oslo; Helen Louise Berry, Macquarie University; Kelton Minor, Columbia University
Teaching children about the environmental crisis can help fight climate change, but climate change is already negatively affecting children’s education around the globe.
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Environment
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Emma C. Edwards, University of Oxford
Meet the next generation of wind turbines that can operate in deeper waters.
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Science + Technology
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Thomas Gift, UCL
Many Democrats fear that banning TikTok would lose them votes from young people.
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Andreea Font, Liverpool John Moores University
We may be able to find traces of dark matter star explosions.
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Nicholas R. Longrich, University of Bath
Oceanic dispersal of dinosaurs between Europe and Africa shows how low-probability, high-impact events drive evolution.
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Podcasts
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Gemma Ware, The Conversation
Grace Augustine talks about her interviews with people who’ve chosen to leave their jobs over climate change concerns on The Conversation Weekly podcast.
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