Professor Marcus du Sautoy, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford, has been long credited for his efforts to popularise science – particularly mathematics and related subjects.

Here, he discusses his motivation for popularising mathematics and the balance between his academic research and public engagement, and explores the challenges and goals of democratising science.

Emphasising the importance of informed decision-making on complex issues like artificial intelligence, energy, and even music, du Sautoy has a wide-ranging array of expertise which he intends to share with the public.

Read more in Research Features

In trying times, we all look for leadership. But leadership skills have to come from somewhere. Understanding how, where and why these skills develop is an important part of the continuing journey to more inclusive and collaborative leadership practice.

Dr Nicola Patterson, Dr Amy Stabler and Professor Sharon Mavin discuss the programme they lead at Newcastle University Business School. The MSc in Strategic Leadership course seeks to engage with leadership learners in a critical way, so as to unlearn traditional ’norms’ of leadership and open new approaches to foster inclusive, sustainable and reflexive leadership practices.

Read the original article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13505076231162717

How do analysts respond to company forecasts during mergers?

Dr Ahmad Ismail from the American University of Beirut analyses over 2,000 U.S. takeovers to find out. His research shows that analysts are more likely to revise earnings upwards when companies forecast large cost-saving synergies, and when led by level-headed CEOs. These revisions often predict real market gains, pointing to a clear investment signal.

Read more research: researchgate/Ahmad-Ismail

What can film reviews tell us about gender bias in the movie industry?

Dr Wael Khreich from the American University of Beirut explores this question with Genderly, a custom-built AI tool that analyses the language of 17,000 professional reviews. His findings reveal that female-led films are far more likely to be judged through a biased lens—subtly and overtly reinforcing stereotypes. This research sheds light on how language shapes perception, influences careers, and contributes to broader societal inequalities.

Read the original research: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316093

Communication shapes the mediation process, influencing trust, negotiation dynamics, and dispute resolution outcomes.

Associate Professor Dorcas Quek Anderson from Singapore Management University explores how different communication modes – face-to-face meetings, video-conferencing, audio communication, and text messaging – affect mediation effectiveness. Her research highlights the strengths and limitations of each mode, offering a framework to help mediators choose the right approach for different disputes in a post-pandemic world.

Read the original research: library.smu.edu.sg/solresearch/4489/

What makes open societies more resilient in the face of global crises like climate change and artificial intelligence?

Stefan Brunnhuber of the World Academy of Art and Science unpacks why open societies—rooted in critical thinking, civic freedom, and institutional balance—hold the key to thriving in the 21st century, while autocracies remain reliant on the very systems they oppose.

Visit the World Academy of Art and Science website: worldacademy.org

Read more: amazon.co.uk/Stefan-Brunnhuber

Heating and cooling our homes, workplaces and public spaces is a source of constant effort, and expense. What can new technologies offer to help hold warmth, or aid air circulation? What if one solution could do both?

Dr Miren Juaristi Gutierrez from Eurac Research in Bolzano, Italy, joins us to discuss innovative architectural features that could save energy, money, and carbon in future designs.

Find more at : https://zeraf-technology.eu/

What impact does artificial intelligence have on the evolution of consciousness, and could it mark the beginning of a new form of awareness beyond the human?

Stefan Brunnhuber of the World Academy of Art and Science explores how AI, as a transformative technology, reshapes not only society but the filters through which we perceive modern life — bridging biology, cognition, and cosmic consciousness.

Visit the World Academy of Art and Science website: worldacademy.org

Read more: amazon.co.uk/Stefan-Brunnhuber