The Best Australian Science Writing 2025

How do insects experience consciousness? Do whales have a language? How liveable are exoplanets – and should we care? This much-loved anthology – now in its fifteenth year – selects the most riveting, entertaining, poignant and fascinating science stories from Australian writers, poets and scientists. The Best Australian Science Writing 2025 anthologises another landmark year in science. From AI to the climate crisis and the changing nature of what science looks like, there’s been plenty of ground to cover. Science writers have been vital in decoding these – at times worrying – glimpses of the future, and the many solutions that scientists are working on.With a foreword by Scientia Professor Veena Sahajwalla, this collection includes the shortlisted entries for the 2025 UNSW Press Bragg Prize.