Explore context
Arts and Culture
Explore the latest strategic trends, research and analysis
4th Industrial Revolution
Industry
Economy
Global Issue
4th Industrial Revolution
Industry
Economy
Global Issue
Arts and Culture
Explore context
Education and Skills
5 books Bill Gates thinks you should read this summer
From fate and facts to da Vinci and death.
Arts and Culture
Is pop music getting sadder?
This is what a sample of 500,000 songs tells us.
Arts and Culture
This 'vending machine' dispenses free short stories
At the push of a button the Short Story Dispenser prints out short-form literature that can be read in as little as one minute, free of charge.
Arts and Culture
This is what happens to your brain when you perform
Research from Imperial College London shows how musicians brains adapt to performance.
Arts and Culture
Your Spotify history could predict the state of the economy
The Bank of England’s chief economist has urged his colleagues to examine the musical mood of the nation when contemplating changes to the Bank’s interest rate.
European Union
These are the European countries that read the most
Most households in the European Union spend more on books, newspapers and stationery than they do on package holidays.
Global Health
The world has made spectacular progress in every measure of well-being. So why does almost no one know about it?
The ideals of reason, science, humanism and progress need a wholehearted defence, argues psychologist Steven Pinker in this excerpt from his latest book.
Human Rights
A new museum remembers the victims of lynchings in the US
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum has opened in Montgomery, Alabama.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
This AI writes poetry good enough to fool experts
Designed by Microsoft and Kyoto University, the programs write poems inspired by images and human descriptions.
Arts and Culture
This band is storing their best-selling album in DNA
Though expensive, data stored in DNA can last for thousands of years and copies can be made quickly.
China
If you want to understand China, this 18th Century novel might be the place to start
Dream of the Red Chamber, by Cao Xueqin, is one of China's most important pieces of literature.
United States
At 80 years old, what does Superman tell us about truth, justice and immigration?
The comic book character has reflected humanity as he's changed throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Africa
These Nigerian street kids are dancing their way to a better future
Celebrities Naomi Campbell and Rihanna have shown their support for the youngsters on social media.
Education and Skills
The number of US students learning a foreign language has slumped
Enrollment in foreign language classes fell by 9% between 2013 and 2016.
Education and Skills
Why the decline of storytelling could be a bad omen for children's education
Active learning means fewer stories are being told in classrooms, which could be affecting children's development and understanding.