An international body of research led by UNSW academics warns progress towards gender equality at work is stalling – and in some cases going backwards – as climate change, artificial intelligence, violence and politics reshape working conditions.

A recent study of more than 2,000 early-career adults found that young people whose parents were still very closely involved in their lives tended to have occupations with less “prestige” than young people whose parents were less involved.

In 2023, Colombian football star Luis "Lucho" Diaz's father was kidnapped by a rebel group. Resulting media coverage in both Colombia and England, where Diaz plays professionally, showed sympathy for a homegrown hero and cast doubt on the country's president and his ability to negotiate peace after many years of work to end conflict. Analysis of media coverage shows the power of sport to influence international politics, the study authors argue.

As nearly 2 million Christian missionaries worldwide step off on long- and short-term assignments annually, a new study from UConn and University of Oklahoma researchers finds that upon return, they consistently draw on the same communication strategies to talk about their experiences abroad and the difficulties of returning home.

From the use of metaphors to the recalling of memorable messages, the missionaries included in the study also routinely pulled from biblical vernacular to describe how they were feeling and used the personification of God to find comfort in their situations, researchers say.