|
Sigmund Freud is having a comeback. From Instagram accounts with 1.5 million followers to think pieces in major publications, psychoanalysis is thriving again after decades of being sidelined by behavioural psychology and pharmaceuticals.
Why now? Carolyn Laubender, an expert in the field, posits that psychoanalysis has historically surged during times of political crisis and authoritarianism. As autocracy rises and traditional therapies seem insufficient, she argues, Freud’s insights are finding new audiences eager to understand the darkness of our times.
Also today, Professor Patricia Maguire of University College Dublin looks at a new study that has sparked debate over whether all pregnant women should take low-dose aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia. The short answer she gives is “no”, but read here to find out why.
And after one of the driest summers on record, the UK has been experiencing relentless rainfall, revealing how climate change is making British weather swing between extremes.
|
|
Clint Witchalls
Senior Health Editor
|
|
Old Malvina – Portraits of Genius
Carolyn Laubender, University of Essex
Freud’s insights into trauma, repression and the unconscious are finding new relevance and millions of followers.
|
Irin Fierce/Shutterstock.com
Patricia Maguire, University College Dublin
Low-dose aspirin can reduce pre-eclampsia risk. So should it be recommended for every pregnancy? The science isn’t that simple.
|
ernesto rogata / Alamy
Jess Neumann, University of Reading; Hannah Cloke, University of Reading
After an exceptionally wet start to 2026, two climate scientists explain what’s going on.
|
World
|
-
Shahzad Uddin, University of Essex
Bangladeshi voters went to the polls on February 12 for the first election to take place since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
-
Christian Emery, UCL
After a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, Donald Trump said he wanted talks with Iran to continue.
-
Jonathan Este, The Conversation
The US president has reportedly told Volodymyr Zelensky he musty hold an election by May 2026.
|
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Andrew Mycock, University of Leeds
The Representation of the People Bill 2026 makes provision for 16-and 17-year olds to be able to vote.
-
Toby James, University of East Anglia
Measures which will modernise elections to enable young people to vote more easily are included in the bill.
|
|
Arts + Culture
|
-
Christopher Holliday, King's College London
This new exhibition is a real treat, providing a glimpse behind the scenes with some of Britain’s most beloved animated characters.
-
Rayna Denison, University of Bristol
Through colour and perspective we learn who Amélie is as she does.
-
Laura Donnellan, University of Limerick
The way hosts are now selected can be traced to the Salt Lake City scandal which exposed weaknesses in the bidding system in the late 1990s.
-
Yashaswini Chandra, University of Edinburgh; Daniel Fountain, University of Exeter; Emma Barker; Marius Kwint, University of Portsmouth; Pippa Catterall, University of Westminster
From first dates to sleeping lovers, these are the paintings that have touched the hearts of our experts.
|
|
Business + Economy
|
-
Jill Timms, University of Surrey
Look out for more local flowers in your parish church, after a new ruling.
-
Daniel Svensson, Malmö University
The ever-increasing expansion of football is not a good match for the environment.
|
|
Education
|
-
Andrew Mycock, University of Leeds
The Representation of the People Bill 2026 makes provision for 16-and 17-year olds to be able to vote.
|
|
Environment
|
-
Jill Timms, University of Surrey
Look out for more local flowers in your parish church, after a new ruling.
-
Daniel Svensson, Malmö University
The ever-increasing expansion of football is not a good match for the environment.
|
|
Health
|
-
Joseph Janes, Swansea University; Prav Uppal, University of Wolverhampton
It isn’t new but stronger drugs and faster absorption mean boofing carries risks many people don’t realise.
-
Ioannis Zabetakis, University of Limerick
Not all types of cholesterol are bad for you.
|
|
Science + Technology
|
-
Gareth Dorrian, University of Birmingham
The results come from the Perseverance rover’s investigation of an ancient crater lake.
-
Luke Hodson, University of Warwick
We can’t change the weather, but we can try to change how it makes us feel.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
16 February 2026
•
London
|
|
|
| |
