Misha Ketchell
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As seen in:
The Conversation,
NDTV,
Sydney Morning Herald,
Firstpost,
The Age,
The Sunday Age,
New Zealand Herald,
The Canberra Times,
Brisbane Times,
AsiaOne,
Mumbrella
and
Misha Ketchell is a journalist and editor of @ConversationEDU. Previously Media Watch, The Age, The Big Issue, Crikey.
Articles by Misha Ketchell
How journalism can serve the greater good
In the washup following the federal budget last week, the ABC did a vox pop interview with a voter about a tax change that would leave him worse off. The answer he gave was unexpected. Instead of complaining, he told the reporter that he supported the change because it could help young people get into housing, and that would serve the greater good. I’ve been thinking about what he said ever since. How often, these days, do you hear anyone talk about the “greater good”?
How journalism can serve the greater good Original
In the washup following the federal budget last week, the ABC did a vox pop interview with a voter about a tax change that would leave him worse off. The answer he gave was unexpected. Instead of complaining, he told the reporter that he supported the change because it could help young people get into housing, and that would serve the greater good. I’ve been thinking about what he said ever since. How often, these days, do you hear anyone talk about the “greater good”?
Merlin Crossley appointed Chair of The Conversation Media Group
Professor Merlin Crossley AM has been appointed chair of The Conversation Media Group Board. Professor Crossley is a molecular biologist and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academic Quality at UNSW Sydney, having previously served as DVC Education, and as Dean of Science. Professor Crossley replaces outgoing Chair, Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney.
Merlin Crossley appointed Chair of the Conversation Media Group
Professor Merlin Crossley AM has been appointed chair of The Conversation Media Group Board. Professor Crossley is a molecular biologist and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Academic Quality at UNSW Sydney, having previously served as DVC Education, and as Dean of Science. Professor Crossley replaces outgoing Chair, Professor Mark Scott AO, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney.
The Conversation shortlisted in Quill Awards for Victorian Journalism
By Misha Ketchell, Editor-in-chief, The Conversation The Conversation has been recognised for its innovative approach to digital storytelling with two entries shortlisted in the Innovation in Journalism category at the 31st Quill Awards, the premier media awards in Victoria, administered by the Melbourne Press Club. Sponsored by the Swinburne University of Technology, the Innovation in Journalism award recognises new and creative approaches to journalism.
The Conversation shortlisted in Quill Awards for Victorian Journalism
The Conversation has been recognised for its innovative approach to digital storytelling with two entries shortlisted in the Innovation in Journalism category at the 31st Quill Awards, the premier media awards in Victoria, administered by the Melbourne Press Club. Sponsored by the Swinburne University of Technology, the Innovation in Journalism award recognises new and creative approaches to journalism.
Childcare centres may have clear rules for staff numbers, but there are loopholes to get around them
A serious incident is one that seriously compromises the health, safety or wellbeing of a child. There were 160 such incidents per 100 services in 2024–25. This is up from 148 and 139 in the previous two years. These figures follow explosive revelations of safety issues and abuse in the sector. In response, there are several new national child safety measures.
How to make The Conversation a preferred source on Google
Wed Feb 18 Written by Misha Ketchell, Editor-in-chief, The Conversation Authors: Misha Ketchell, Editor-in-chief, The Conversation With the National Electric Vehicle Strategy due for a comprehensive review during 2026, automotive expert and senior government advisor, Raffy Sgroi, warns that Australia is rushing electric vehic... Daily Bulletin China Gold Coin Group Co., Ltd.
How to make The Conversation a preferred source on Google
There’s a lot of dodgy and divisive content online. But now there’s a way to choose something better. Google recently launched a new feature that allows you to nominate which sources you trust the most so they appear near the top of your search results. There are many reasons to nominate The Conversation. We are a not-for-profit digital publisher and our work is overseen by an independent editorial board. We only publish information from academic experts edited by professional journalists.
Why tech platforms endanger democracy
In September this year, the Nobel prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa gave a powerful speech to the National Press Club about the ways in which authoritarians manipulate social media. She called for the Australian government to bolster the regulation of technology platforms and issued a stark warning. “The greatest threat we face today isn’t any individual leader or one government,” she said.
Why tech platforms endanger democracy
In September this year, the Nobel prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa gave a powerful speech to the National Press Club about the ways in which authoritarians manipulate social media. She called for the Australian government to bolster the regulation of technology platforms and issued a stark warning. “The greatest threat we face today isn’t any individual leader or one government,” she said.
Why tech platforms endanger democracy
In September this year, the Nobel prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa gave a powerful speech to the National Press Club about the ways in which authoritarians manipulate social media. She called for the Australian government to bolster the regulation of technology platforms and issued a stark warning. “The greatest threat we face today isn’t any individual leader or one government,” she said.
The Conversation does news differently
These days, new technology is presented as inevitable, and resistance is futile. Smartphones and social media for kids? It’s just how it is. Cynical about crypto? You must be a crackpot. Worried about AI slop? Get on board or get left behind. At The Conversation, we have always taken a sceptical approach to prevailing wisdom, and we’re determined to go about things our own way. When many in the media were sacking specialist journalists in health, economics or science, we were hiring.
The Conversation does news differently Original
These days, new technology is presented as inevitable, and resistance is futile. Smartphones and social media for kids? It’s just how it is. Cynical about crypto? You must be a crackpot. Worried about AI slop? Get on board or get left behind. At The Conversation, we have always taken a sceptical approach to prevailing wisdom, and we’re determined to go about things our own way. When many in the media were sacking specialist journalists in health, economics or science, we were hiring.
Your kind feedback and candid criticism of our journalism
What do you need to have a productive conversation? That might seem a strange question, but the answer really matters. You can’t have a good conversation if you don’t listen properly, or keep an open mind. It also helps if you’re willing to admit what you don’t know, which in my case means admitting many editorial decisions are really just gut instinct and educated guesswork. That’s why we place so much importance on the feedback you give us.
Your kind feedback and candid criticism of our journalism
What do you need to have a productive conversation? That might seem a strange question, but the answer really matters. You can’t have a good conversation if you don’t listen properly, or keep an open mind. It also helps if you’re willing to admit what you don’t know, which in my case means admitting many editorial decisions are really just gut instinct and educated guesswork. That’s why we place so much importance on the feedback you give us.
Your kind feedback and candid criticism of our journalism Original
What do you need to have a productive conversation? That might seem a strange question, but the answer really matters. You can’t have a good conversation if you don’t listen properly, or keep an open mind. It also helps if you’re willing to admit what you don’t know, which in my case means admitting many editorial decisions are really just gut instinct and educated guesswork. That’s why we place so much importance on the feedback you give us.
Help guide the future of The Conversation
Have you ever wondered how our Daily newsletter comes into being? It lands in your inbox every day as a neat package: a short editorial followed by a dozen or so articles written by academics on everything from health and science to politics to the environment or arts. For you it is a fait accompli. For me, it’s a smouldering battlefield: all I can see are the traces of skirmishes and debates, compromises, mistakes, and missed opportunities. Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.
Help guide the future of The Conversation
Have you ever wondered how our Daily newsletter comes into being? It lands in your inbox every day as a neat package: a short editorial followed by a dozen or so articles written by academics on everything from health and science to politics to the environment or arts. For you it is a fait accompli. For me, it’s a smouldering battlefield: all I can see are the traces of skirmishes and debates, compromises, mistakes, and missed opportunities. Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.
Help guide the future of The Conversation
Have you ever wondered how our Daily newsletter comes into being? It lands in your inbox every day as a neat package: a short editorial followed by a dozen or so articles written by academics on everything from health and science to politics to the environment or arts. For you it is a fait accompli. For me, it’s a smouldering battlefield: all I can see are the traces of skirmishes and debates, compromises, mistakes, and missed opportunities. Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.
Help guide the future of The Conversation
Have you ever wondered how our Daily newsletter comes into being? It lands in your inbox every day as a neat package: a short editorial followed by a dozen or so articles written by academics on everything from health and science to politics to the environment or arts. For you it is a fait accompli. For me, it’s a smouldering battlefield: all I can see are the traces of skirmishes and debates, compromises, mistakes, and missed opportunities. Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.
Help guide the future of The Conversation
Have you ever wondered how our Daily newsletter comes into being? It lands in your inbox every day as a neat package: a short editorial followed by a dozen or so articles written by academics on everything from health and science to politics to the environment or arts. For you it is a fait accompli. For me, it’s a smouldering battlefield: all I can see are the traces of skirmishes and debates, compromises, mistakes, and missed opportunities. Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.
New: Your Say on our stories
One of the best things about working at The Conversation is the chance to be part of a genuine, real-life social network, one that couldn’t be more different to the paper-thin friendships peddled by social media companies. Our small newsroom is full of smart, compassionate editors who care about the community in which we live. Every year we work with thousands of academics who are selfless about solving problems and sharing their knowledge.
New: Your Say on our stories
One of the best things about working at The Conversation is the chance to be part of a genuine, real-life social network, one that couldn’t be more different to the paper-thin friendships peddled by social media companies. Our small newsroom is full of smart, compassionate editors who care about the community in which we live. Every year we work with thousands of academics who are selfless about solving problems and sharing their knowledge.
A glimpse of something better
Did you notice it? After a period of global instability and division, it feels like Australian democracy has just shown us a glimpse of what’s possible. It was an orderly, if at times uninspired, election campaign. Last week, it ended with a thoughtful and gracious concession speech. There is also cause for hope in the measured tone of a PM who seems determined to act with respect and humility in the face of a thumping win.
A glimpse of something better
Did you notice it? After a period of global instability and division, it feels like Australian democracy has just shown us a glimpse of what’s possible. It was an orderly, if at times uninspired, election campaign. Last week, it ended with a thoughtful and gracious concession speech. There is also cause for hope in the measured tone of a PM who seems determined to act with respect and humility in the face of a thumping win.
A glimpse of something better
Did you notice it? After a period of global instability and division, it feels like Australian democracy has just shown us a glimpse of what’s possible. It was an orderly, if at times uninspired, election campaign. Last week, it ended with a thoughtful and gracious concession speech. There is also cause for hope in the measured tone of a PM who seems determined to act with respect and humility in the face of a thumping win.
The Conversation’s 2025 election reader survey results
© 2025 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
The Conversation’s 2025 election reader survey results
Yesterday I spent several hours engrossed in the 7,143 responses to our reader survey on what you want from our federal election coverage. Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond; your comments were thoughtful, perceptive, vivid and original – even the sharply worded ones that made me wince. The main themes show we’ve got engaged readers who care about our society and its future.
A new COVID variant is on the rise. Here’s what to know about LP.8.1
More than five years since COVID was declared a pandemic, we’re still facing the regular emergence of new variants of the virus, SARS-CoV-2. The latest variant on the rise is LP.8.1. It’s increasing in Australia, making up close to one in five COVID cases in New South Wales. Elsewhere it’s become even more dominant, comprising at least three in five cases in the United Kingdom, for example. So what is LP.8.1? And is it cause for concern? Let’s look at what we know so far.
March 2025, no. 473
March 2025, no. 473 ABR looks at lives and their legacies. Timothy J. Lynch reviews a biography of Ronald Reagan, Sheila Fitzpatrick another on Angela Merkel, and Simon Tormey surveys a memoir by Boris Johnson. We have Susan Sheridan on Joan Lindsay, Glyn Davis on great leaders, and James Walter on Robert Menzies. Our cover features You Yang Ponds by Fred Williams and Christopher Allen reviews The Diaries of Fred Williams, 1963-1970 by Patrick McCaughey.
The Conversation expands its editorial team and boosts non-partisan coverage of public policy
As we gear up for an election year, the editors at The Conversation have been thinking hard about the role of quality journalism in the political process. We want to find better ways to provide readers and voters with the trustworthy information they need to make good decisions, for their own benefit and the community as a whole. The growing difficulty of this task is now pretty well understood.
The Conversation expands its editorial team and boosts non-partisan coverage of public policy
As we gear up for an election year, the editors at The Conversation have been thinking hard about the role of quality journalism in the political process. We want to find better ways to provide readers and voters with the trustworthy information they need to make good decisions, for their own benefit and the community as a whole. The growing difficulty of this task is now pretty well understood.
The Conversation expands its editorial team and boosts non-partisan coverage of public policy
As we gear up for an election year, the editors at The Conversation have been thinking hard about the role of quality journalism in the political process. We want to find better ways to provide readers and voters with the trustworthy information they need to make good decisions, for their own benefit and the community as a whole. The growing difficulty of this task is now pretty well understood.
Thank you for your support in 2024
Sometimes in life it’s important to follow your own path, regardless of what others are doing. That’s why, in an age of growing populism, at The Conversation we seek out the voices of experts. It’s why we treasure nuance over simplistic solutions, and collaboration matters to us far more than self-aggrandisement. It’s also why we are committed to several unfashionable ideas about journalism. We believe that facts and evidence matter more than opinions.
2024 reader survey results: we asked, you answered
I can’t recall any journalist ever being accused of lacking a sense of self-importance, and I am as guilty as anyone. Here at The Conversation, we love to talk about how our work is vital for democracy, and how providing quality information can help people make better decisions and improve lives. It’s all true, but Shakespeare was onto something when he raised suspicion about people who protest too much.
2024 reader survey results: we asked, you answered Original
I can’t recall any journalist ever being accused of lacking a sense of self-importance, and I am as guilty as anyone. Here at The Conversation, we love to talk about how our work is vital for democracy, and how providing quality information can help people make better decisions and improve lives. It’s all true, but Shakespeare was onto something when he raised suspicion about people who protest too much.
Retraction: why we removed an article about a link between exam results and ceiling height
© 2024 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
Retraction: why we removed an article about a link between exam results and ceiling height
Today we removed an article titled “Should we ditch big exam halls? Our research shows how high ceilings are associated with a lower score”, because the original research has been found to contain errors and has been retracted by the academic journal that published it. The Conversation’s article, published on July 3, 2024, was based on a study published online by The Journal of Environmental Psychology on June 26, 2024.
what’s the future of the Australian media?
Australian media has entered a new phase in its painful transformation, yet so far it has been poorly reported and is only vaguely understood. The evidence is everywhere. It’s in the poor commercial performance of all TV broadcasters, summed up in Bill Shorten’s recent claim on the ABC’s Q+A that free-to-air TV is in “diabolical trouble”. It’s in Rupert Murdoch’s airy speculation that newspapers might only be around for another 15 years.
Two new cadets join The Conversation as Assistant Editors
Two outstanding journalists have joined The Conversation’s editorial team in Australia as cadets in Health and Science + Technology. The roles were funded by reader donations and created to contribute to training the next generation of journalists who are passionate about providing reliable, trustworthy and impartial journalism.
Two new cadets join The Conversation as Assistant Editors
Two outstanding journalists have joined The Conversation’s editorial team in Australia as cadets in Health and Science + Technology. The roles were funded by reader donations and created to contribute to training the next generation of journalists who are passionate about providing reliable, trustworthy and impartial journalism.
Two new cadets join The Conversation as Assistant Editors
Two outstanding journalists have joined The Conversation’s editorial team in Australia as cadets in Health and Science + Technology. The roles were funded by reader donations and created to contribute to training the next generation of journalists who are passionate about providing reliable, trustworthy and impartial journalism.
Retraction: why we removed an article about a link between exam results and ceiling height
Today we removed an article titled “Should we ditch big exam halls? Our research shows how high ceilings are associated with a lower score”, because the original research has been found to contain errors and has been retracted by the academic journal that published it. The Conversation’s article, published on July 3, 2024, was based on a study published online by The Journal of Environmental Psychology on June 26, 2024.
This is what your donations enable us to do
Our annual donations campaign is wrapping up on Sunday and I wanted to take this final opportunity to again thank everyone who has made a contribution this year. And for anyone who still wants to give you still can. Every year we are blown away by the support from readers like you, and this year, with things a little tougher than usual, we are especially grateful. So far we have received more than 19,000 individual donations and we are 90% of the way to reaching our fundraising target.
This is what your donations enable us to do Original
Our annual donations campaign is wrapping up on Sunday and I wanted to take this final opportunity to again thank everyone who has made a contribution this year. And for anyone who still wants to give you still can. Every year we are blown away by the support from readers like you, and this year, with things a little tougher than usual, we are especially grateful. So far we have received more than 19,000 individual donations and we are 90% of the way to reaching our fundraising target.
This is what your donations enable us to do
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We need better journalism to tackle climate change
Let’s start with something uncontroversial: good decisions start with good information. Managing your finances starts with gathering information in a budget. If you’re playing a sport, you seek out feedback from a coach. Nutritional information on food packages makes it easier to decide what to eat. But there is one area of life where the link between good information and good decisions has broken down: climate change. There are many theories as to why this is the case.
We need better journalism to tackle climate change
Let’s start with something uncontroversial: good decisions start with good information. Managing your finances starts with gathering information in a budget. If you’re playing a sport, you seek out feedback from a coach. Nutritional information on food packages makes it easier to decide what to eat. But there is one area of life where the link between good information and good decisions has broken down: climate change. There are many theories as to why this is the case.
Why collaboration is key to how we work at The Conversation
One of the most rewarding things about working at The Conversation is being part of a project that brings people together when so often the focus in the media is on drama and division. According to the Scanlon Foundation, social cohesion in Australia is in decline and recently hit an all-time low. This is hardly surprising when social media algorithms reward content that plays up conflict.
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