insert_link Africa Afcon’s decision to allow 24 countries to play is paying off – and having dramatic repercussions By Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University By the end of the group stage, the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) was one of the most exciting and memorable Afcon tournaments in recent memory. This was particularly true of the performances of the continent’s best players on the field. As a scholar of sports communication with a focus on African football, I’ve followed developments with interest, notably the 2021 decision to […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 2
insert_link Environment Africa’s savannah elephants: small ‘fortress’ parks aren’t the answer – they need room to roam By Celesté Maré, Aarhus University and Robert A.R. Guldemond, University of Pretoria Africa is home to about 410,000 savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana), most of them living in southern Africa. Over 290,000 elephants (70%) are spread across 103 protected areas which vary in size, connectivity and protection. In a recent research paper we explored how elephant populations across southern Africa performed under different conservation approaches. This work formed part of […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 17
insert_link Lifestyle J.M. Coetzee’s provocative first book turns 50 this year – and his most controversial turns 25 Photo of J.M. Coetzee: Laterthanyouthink, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Andrew van der Vlies, University of Adelaide J.M. Coetzee, one of the leading novelists of our age, turns 84 this year. Last year, he published The Pole and Other Stories, his 18th book (excluding volumes of criticism, commentary, letters and translations). Its flowering of mature style confirms that this writer remains at the top of his game. Coetzee celebrates another […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 15
insert_link Environment Meticulous Eastern Cape effort to keep vultures from extinction A committee of Cape vultures explore their new surroundings soon after their arrival at Shamwari game reserve in the Eastern Cape. Photo: John Yeld By John Yeld via GroundUp It is hoped a new captive breeding facility at Shamwari game reserve in the Eastern Cape will help stem plummeting vulture numbers across southern Africa and prevent their imminent extinction. Earlier this week, 163 majestic white-backed vultures and Cape vultures took an […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 32
insert_link Business / Economics The green-eyed monster: How embracing jealousy at work can make you more productive Organizations are often the perfect breeding grounds for jealousy or fearing the loss of a valued relationship. (Shutterstock) Meena Andiappan, McMaster University and Lucas Dufour, Toronto Metropolitan University Instances of negative emotions, such as jealousy, are frequent in the workplace. Perhaps your boss just complimented your co-worker on a job well done while ignoring your contributions to a project. Or maybe your new mentee asked to transfer to another supervisor. […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 37
insert_link Lifestyle Responsible, human-centred approach – key to using GenAI in education By Shakeel Jhazbhay, General Manager, Digital Business Solutions at DatacentrixIn the ever-evolving realm of educational technology, Generative AI (GenAI) is emerging as a transformative force poised to reshape the education sector. However, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of GenAI is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of its suitable applications and potential impact. In retrospect: the use of technology in education over time In order to gain context around the use […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 22
insert_link Business / Economics Women lifestyle influencers are changing the face of the far right – podcast By Avery Anapol When you think about the far right, you probably picture groups of young, white men carrying images of swastikas or torches like those seen at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. But the face of the far right is changing, at least on social media. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we hear about new research into a cohort […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 14
insert_link Science & Technology Fake Biden robocall to New Hampshire voters highlights how easy it is to make deepfakes − and how hard it is to defend against AI-generated disinformation The fake robocall urged Democratic voters in New Hampshire not to vote in the Jan. 23, 2024, primary election. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Joan Donovan, Boston University An unknown number of New Hampshire voters received a phone call on Jan. 21, 2024, from what sounded like President Joe Biden. A recording contains Biden’s voice urging voters inclined to support Biden and the Democratic Party not to participate in New Hampshire’s Jan. […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 17
insert_link Business / Economics AI in HR: Are you cool with being recruited by a robot? Our studies reveal job candidates’ true feelings By Maria Figueroa-Armijos, EDHEC Business School and Serge da Motta Veiga, Neoma Business School Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the human resource management (HRM) industry faster than we notice. Sixty-five percent of organisations are already using AI-enabled tools in the hiring process, but only a third of job candidates are aware of the practice. Pros and cons of AI in recruitment In recruitment, AI-enabled tools have the ability […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 33