A new website designed to provoke debate among specialist journalists and academics has launched in the UK.

theconversation.com/uk is the brainchild of former Observer and Scotsman editor Andrew Jaspan who successfully launched the idea in Australia two years ago.

The not-for-profit site combines news and comment with research from academics on topical issues and is being supported by several universities, charities and higher education funding bodies.

Said Andrew:  “We are delighted to see The Conversation launch into the UK.

“The success in Australia has shown there is huge public demand for independent, high-quality, authenticated, and trusted content. I am confident The Conversation will very quickly establish a similar reputation and audience in the UK.”

Stephen Khan, a former news editor at the Guardian, is to be editor of the site.