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Shirin Malekpour

Associate Professor in Sustainable Development Governance, Monash University
Shirin Malekpour is a social scientist with expertise in strategic planning and governance for sustainable development. She has been Chief Investigator in multiple transdisciplinary research projects focusing on infrastructure planning, transformative adaptation, futures thinking, scenario planning under deep uncertainty, collaborative governance and localising the SDGs.

In 2020, Shirin was appointed by the UN Secretary-General to a scientific advisory role and as one of the 15 members of the Independent Group of Scientists tasked with writing the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report. In 2018, she was recognised as one of the top 25 young scientists in the world in the field of sustainable development and received the international Green Talents award.

She is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy – flagship publication of the C40 initiative. She also co-leads a working group on sub-national SDG implementation in the Earth Systems Governance Network. Shirin has an interdisciplinary background and has previously worked as a civil engineer in large urban water infrastructure projects in Africa and the Middle East.

Economy

UK Faces Economic Test as Fiscal Rules Threaten Growth

Britains struggling economy faces a crucial test this month as Finance Minister Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver a public finance update on March 26. Investors fear that enforcing strict fiscal rulesdesigned to balance...

Bank Indonesia Holds Rates to Shield Rupiah, Cuts Expected Next Quarter

Bank Indonesia (BI) is expected to keep its benchmark seven-day reverse repurchase rate at 5.75% on Wednesday, prioritizing rupiah stability amid global trade uncertainties. A Reuters poll conducted from March 1017 found...

Asian Stocks Rise Amid Chinese Stimulus Optimism, Trade War Fears Linger

Asian markets climbed Monday as investor optimism grew over Chinas latest stimulus efforts, despite lingering concerns over U.S. trade tariffs. Gains were fueled by Beijings newly announced measures to boost consumer...

China Unveils Plan to Boost Domestic Spending Amid Economic Challenges

Chinas State Council introduced a special action plan on Sunday to stimulate domestic consumption, aiming to strengthen household spending and counter deflationary pressures. The plan includes income-boosting measures, a...

U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent Warns of Economic Turbulence Amid Market Correction

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged the possibility of a recession in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press, citing near-term economic challenges as the Trump administration pushes its agenda. While he...

Politics

DR Congo’s President Meets U.S. Lawmaker Amid Conflict and Investment Talks

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi met U.S. lawmaker Ronny Jackson to discuss ongoing conflict in eastern Congo and potential U.S. investments, according to the Congolese presidency. The meeting...

Germany Pledges €300M in Humanitarian Aid for Syrians Amid Crisis

Germany will provide 300 million ($326 million) in humanitarian aid to Syrians through the United Nations and select organizations, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced ahead of an EU-led donor conference in...

Trump Confirms No Exemptions on Steel, Aluminum Tariffs, Sets April 2 for Sectoral Duties

U.S. President Donald Trump has ruled out exemptions on steel and aluminum tariffs, reaffirming his stance on trade protectionism. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump announced that reciprocal and sectoral tariffs will...

Modi Praises Trump’s Second Term Preparation Amid Trade Tensions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended U.S. President Donald Trumps preparedness for his second term, highlighting a clear roadmap for achieving his goals. Speaking on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Modi emphasized Trumps...

Trump to Speak with Putin on Tuesday to Discuss Ending War

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, emphasizing efforts to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday, Trump...

Science

Leonardo da Vinci’s incredible studies of human anatomy still don’t get the recognition they deserve

Wikimedia, CC BY-SA The mere mention of Leonardo da Vinci evokes genius. We know him as a polymath whose interests spanned astronomy, geology, hydrology, engineering and physics. As a painter, his Mona Lisa and Last Supper...

One of the largest searches for alien life started 30 years ago. Its legacy lives on today

In February 1995, a small research organisation known as the SETI Institute launched what was then the most comprehensive search for an answer to a centuries-old question: are we alone in the universe? This Sunday marks...

South African telescope discovers a giant galaxy that’s 32 times bigger than Earth’s

Inkathazos glowing plasma jets are shown in red and yellow. The starlight from other surrounding galaxies can be seen in the background. K.K.L Charlton (UCT), MeerKAT, HSC, CARTA, IDIA, CC BY You may not know it, but right...

It’s science, not fiction: high-tech drones may soon be fighting bushfires in Australia

Picture this. Its a summer evening in Australia. A dry lightning storm is about to sweep across remote, tinder-dry bushland. The next day is forecast to be hot and windy. A lightning strike tonight could spark a fire that...

Earth is bombarded with rocks from space – but who gets to keep these ultimate antiques?

Every day, about 48.5 tonnes of space rock hurtle towards Earth. Meteorites that fall into the ocean are never recovered. But the ones that crash on land can spark debates about legal ownership. Globally, meteorite hunting...

Technology

SpaceX Crew-10 Arrives at ISS to Bring Stranded Astronauts Home

A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) early Sunday, completing a 29-hour journey from NASAs Kennedy Space Center. The Crew-10 mission, which launched Friday at 7:03 p.m....

Baidu Unveils AI Models to Rival DeepSeek, Boosts Competition in China’s AI Race

Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) has launched two new artificial intelligence models, including the reasoning-focused ERNIE X1, aiming to rival Chinese AI startup DeepSeek in an increasingly competitive AI landscape. DeepSeek has...

Elon Musk and OpenAI Set for Expedited Trial Over AI Dispute

Elon Musk and OpenAI have agreed to fast-track their legal battle over OpenAIs transition to a for-profit model, with a trial set for later this year. The case, playing out in the U.S. District Court for the Northern...

NASA and SpaceX Launch Crew-10 to Replace Stranded Astronauts on ISS

NASA and SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-10 mission on Friday, sending four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) in a crucial crew rotation. The mission paves the way for the return of NASA astronauts...

NASA and SpaceX Set to Launch Crew-10 Mission to ISS on March 14

NASA and SpaceX are gearing up for the highly anticipated Crew-10 mission, scheduled to launch on Friday, March 14, at 7:03 p.m. EDT (2303 GMT). The mission will carry four astronauts to the International Space Station...