The Conversation US launched as a pilot project in October 2014. It is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community, delivered direct to the public.
Our team of professional editors work with university and research institute experts to unlock their knowledge for use by the wider public.
Access to independent, high quality, authenticated, explanatory journalism underpins a functioning democracy. Our aim is to promote better understanding of current affairs and complex issues. And hopefully allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversation.
We aim to help rebuild trust in journalism. All authors and editors sign up to our Editorial Charter. All contributors must abide by our Community Standards policy. We only allow authors to write on a subject on which they have proven expertise, which they must disclose alongside their article. Authors’ funding and potential conflicts of interest must also be disclosed. Failure to do so carries a risk of being banned from contributing to the site.
The Conversation launched in Australia in March 2011 and the UK in May 2013.
The Conversation started in Melbourne Victoria and the innovative technology platform and development team is based in the university and research precinct of Carlton.
We believe in open access and the free-flow of information. The Conversation is a free resource: free to read (we’ll never go behind a paywall), and free to share or Creative Commons. All you need to do is follow our simple guidelines. We provide valuable media resources: free content, ideas and talent to follow up for press, web, radio or TV.
Special thanks go to the foundations who funded the pilot: Alfred P Sloan Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
And also to Boston University’s College of Communication who are hosting the operation.
Our newsroom is based in Boston but our team is part of a global newsroom able to share content across sites and around the world. The Conversation US is a non-profit educational entity.