|
Do you have rizz? If you have to ask, you probably don’t. The slang term is the Oxford English Dictionaries’ word of the year, and is generally accepted as a shortened form of charisma. For the millennials and older among us, having rizz is akin to “having game”. It can also be a verb, as in to “rizz up” (successfully seduce). But Tom Wright, a historian of rhetoric, thinks this definition relies on a misconception. As he argues, the way that young people are talking about rizz is more akin to charm than charisma. He explains the difference in this piece.
One place where rizz really may not be welcome is the office Christmas party. There are a number of legal troubles that can arise at the holiday do, from discriminatory invitations, to sexual harassment. Take a look here to learn about what the pitfalls are, and how to avoid them.
Over the last year, teacher’s strikes have been part of the education landscape. Teachers feel overworked and underpaid, but these problems are often dismissed as a “labour of love”. Now, the UK government plans to introduce minimum service levels for striking teachers. An education expert explains why this could further undermine a profession already stretched to its limits.
Writing and editing for The Conversation is a labour of love in many ways. But we can’t produce this content and democratise expert knowledge without the help of our readers. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to support our work.
Donate
|
|
Avery Anapol
Commissioning Editor, Politics + Society
|
|
Got rizz?
Mix and Match Studio/Shutterstock
Tom F. Wright, University of Sussex
An expert on rhetoric explains why ‘rizz’ may be more like charm than charisma.
|
Cookie Studio/Shutterstock
Brenda Daly, Dublin City University
‘Tis the season for office Christmas parties – here’s how to hold a successful, inclusive event.
|
Juice Flair/Shutterstock
Mariya Ivancheva, University of Strathclyde
Productive work in all other sectors of the economy relies on teachers.
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Alexander Hill, University of Calgary
Polls suggest many Russians remain supportive of Putin and the war in Ukraine. Economic realities and western double standards likely play a big role.
-
Rebecca Strating, La Trobe University
There is growing evidence China is attempting to influence the election through disinformation campaigns, putting Taiwan’s vibrant democracy to the test.
|
|
Environment
|
-
Benjamin Neimark, Queen Mary University of London
Researchers must track everything from bomb making or jet fuel burning to the carbon cost of post-conflict rebuilding.
-
Murray Scown, Lund University; Frances Eleanor Dunn, Utrecht University
The world’s coastal deltas are home to hundreds of thousands of people – but they’re now under threat.
-
Radhika Khosla, University of Oxford
In the first commitment of its kind, 63 countries promised to slash emissions from cooling and refrigeration.
-
Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson, United Nations University
Though hard to quantify, the social consequences of climate change are vast.
-
Xu Yi-chong, Griffith University
This year, China has built renewables at a truly staggering pace. But can its tech-first approach actually cut emissions – and find common ground at COP28?
|
|
Arts + Culture
|
-
Naomi Braithwaite, Nottingham Trent University
An expensive purchase price may not guarantee that your product will hold its value.
-
Madeleine S. Killacky, Bangor University
A wild and fun ride through the wackier bits of Medieval life.
-
Tom Garner, Sheffield Hallam University
An expert explains the subconscious effects of hearing nostalgic music on our shopping behaviour.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Vera Weisbecker, Flinders University; Emma Sherratt, University of Adelaide; Rex Mitchell, Flinders University
It also explains why there are exceptions to the rule – including humans, who have strikingly short faces relative to the braincase.
|
|
Health
|
-
Rebecca A. Drummond, University of Birmingham
One study found a zinc-containing gel stopped symptoms of thrush in the majority of women.
-
Victoria Wilkinson, University of Bradford
Owen Farrell is part of a growing number of athletes speaking out about their wellbeing.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
12 December 2023
•
Manchester
|
|
10 - 11 January 2024
•
Leeds
|
|
10 - 12 January 2024
•
Manchester
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
