Science and Society

Featured image: Hit hard by the pandemic, researchers expect its impacts to linger for years

Hit hard by the pandemic, researchers expect its impacts to linger for years - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 12, 2021 •

Sora Park, University of Canberra; Jennie Scarvell, University of Canberra, and Linda Botterill, University of Canberra   The impacts of COVID-19 on Australian university researchers are likely to have consequences for research productivity and quality for many years to come. According to an online survey of academics at the University of Canberra between November 2020 and February 2021, they have … Read More

Featured image: To be truly ethical, vaccine mandates must be about more than just lifting jab rates

To be truly ethical, vaccine mandates must be about more than just lifting jab rates - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 12, 2021 •

Matheson Russell, University of Auckland   As New Zealand’s race to lift vaccination rates continues, and with pressure to lift social and economic restrictions too, the role of vaccine mandates is coming into sharper focus. Yesterday the government signalled stricter rules will apply in health and education. But while public sentiment appears to be on the side of … Read More

Featured image: Schools have moved outdoors in past disease outbreaks. Here are 7 reasons to do it again

Schools have moved outdoors in past disease outbreaks. Here are 7 reasons to do it again - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 11, 2021 •

Karen Malone, Swinburne University of Technology   Leaders across the country – particularly in the states with the largest outbreaks, New South Wales and Victoria – have designed road maps towards reopening the states after long lockdowns. Safety in childcare, schools and universities is a core component of reopening plans. Year 12 students in Melbourne go back to school … Read More

Featured image: Children live online more than ever – we need better definitions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ screen time

Children live online more than ever – we need better definitions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ screen time - News

Guest Author • Oct 11, 2021 •

Kathryn MacCallum, University of Canterbury and Cheryl Brown, University of Canterbury   The pandemic has fundamentally altered every part of our lives, not least the time we spend on digital devices. For young people in particular, the blurred line between recreational and educational screen time presents new challenges we are only beginning to appreciate. Even before COVID, there were concerns … Read More

Putting Aotearoa on the map: New Zealand has changed its name before, why not again? - News

Guest Author • Oct 11, 2021 •

Claire Breen, University of Waikato; Alexander Gillespie, University of Waikato; Robert Joseph, University of Waikato, and Valmaine Toki, University of Waikato   Our names are a critical part of our identity. They are a personal and social anchor tying us to our families, our culture, our history and place in the world. For Māori, a name is intrinsic to, and … Read More

Featured image: In a lockdown, where does work end and parenting begin? Welcome to the brave new world of ‘zigzag working’

In a lockdown, where does work end and parenting begin? Welcome to the brave new world of ‘zigzag working’ - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 07, 2021 •

Candice Harris, Auckland University of Technology and Jarrod Haar, Auckland University of Technology   All parents work. The difference lies in the breakdown between their paid and unpaid workloads. That equation is influenced by many things, including education, qualifications, age, ethnicity, financial status, number and age of dependants, gendered and societal expectations, and personal choice. But during COVID-19 lockdowns, many … Read More

Featured image: Celebrating Women in Space

Celebrating Women in Space - Kidney Punch

John Pickering • Oct 06, 2021 •

Beautiful, Inspiring, Mysterious!  How do you describe space?  What do you think when you look up at the stars?  The United Nations General Assembly certainly knew how beautiful, inspiring, mysterious, and important space is when they designated a week to be World Space Week.  That’s this week, and the theme for this year is Women in Space. There are numerous New Zealand women who … Read More

Featured image: The COVID-zero strategy may be past its use-by date, but New Zealand still has a vaccination advantage

The COVID-zero strategy may be past its use-by date, but New Zealand still has a vaccination advantage - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 06, 2021 •

Michael Plank, University of Canterbury   The announcement today that New Zealand will introduce a vaccination certificate by November is welcome news. Whether by “carrot” or “stick”, vaccination rates must keep climbing, as it is now likely case numbers will climb under alert level 3 conditions in Auckland. We’ve seen a growing number of mystery cases over the … Read More

Featured image: ‘Are you double dosed?’ How to ask friends and family if they’re vaccinated, and how to handle it if they say no

‘Are you double dosed?’ How to ask friends and family if they’re vaccinated, and how to handle it if they say no - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 05, 2021 •

Jessica Kaufman, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Julie Leask, University of Sydney   The weekend is approaching, your fridge is stocked with cheese and you’re eager to organise a COVID-compliant picnic with other fully vaccinated adults which your local rules stipulate. But choose your guests wisely — only fully vaccinated people can attend, and fines apply if the rules are … Read More

Featured image: NZ needs a more urgent vaccination plan — with nearly 80% now single-dosed, the majority will support it

NZ needs a more urgent vaccination plan — with nearly 80% now single-dosed, the majority will support it - COVID-19

Guest Author • Oct 05, 2021 •

Rod Jackson, University of Auckland   With vaccination rates still too low in Auckland and around Aotearoa New Zealand, and with unexpected cases still showing up, there are few options ahead of today’s government decision on alert levels. Until there are high levels of immunity, any relaxation of restrictions within Aotearoa when Delta is in the community will dramatically … Read More