Eric Crampton • Oct 02, 2014 •
It seems the University of Canterbury has been discussing some pretty comprehensive restrictions on research funding.The Herald reports:Research funding from the dairying and soft drink industries could be declined on ethical grounds under proposals be... Read More
Eric Crampton • Sep 26, 2014 •
A potted history.In the beginning, New Zealand had tuition-free tertiary education restricted to an educational elite able to pass the difficult exams necessary for entry. They were well supported during their education, and they were few, and they wer... Read More
Victoria Metcalf • Sep 11, 2014 •
Conferences are seen as one of the few remaining perks of a scientist’s life. A chance to step away from academia and to travel, even if only out of one’s earthquake ravaged home city. Sometimes though, as much as they energise and present opportunities to reconnect with the scientific community, conferences can be a harsh reminder of just … Read More
Victoria Metcalf • Aug 22, 2014 •
Antarctic scientist gets close to study subject, a Weddell seal. Antarctic scientists tend to feel passionate about their subject areas. For those of you living in Auckland, New Zealand, happily going about your daily lives you might be blissfully unaware that approximately 1000 Antarctic scientists are currently beginning to infiltrate the city. Think of them like a flurry of … Read More
Eric Crampton • Aug 18, 2014 •
Results from Princeton's grade deflation experiment are well worth reading. Catherine Rampell reports on it here and here. Princeton aimed to reduce the proportion of awarded As to reduce variability across departments. Some departments responded ... Read More
Eric Crampton • Jul 09, 2014 •
Perhaps satisficing under conditions of low competition can take some of the blame for New Zealand's low productivity rates.Donal Curtin at EconomicsNZ wonders about productivity in our service sector:If business innovation is important for growth... Read More
Eric Crampton • Jun 17, 2014 •
Shaun Hendy reports on an accidental experiment in the effects of the number of referees on grant decisions.In mid-2012, the newly formed Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) inadvertently conducted such a trial, albeit by a... Read More
Victoria Metcalf • May 23, 2014 •
Four of the Antarctic or anything else headlines/social media bits that have grabbed my attention this week(ish). Large glaciers are in irreversible decline signalling the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet more rapidly than predicted. Sea levels will rise as a result. Image credit: Victoria Metcalf 1. Although it may have been overshadowed somewhat by the elevator bust-up … Read More
Eric Crampton • May 06, 2014 •
Profs in fields where the opportunity cost of time are more valuable use tighter filters in deciding whether to reply to an email; that filter may have discriminatory effect.Milkman et al run a field experiment sending academics in a pile of fields the following email:Dear Professor [Surname of Professor Inserted Here],I am writing you because I am a prospective … Read More
Eric Crampton • Apr 17, 2014 •
College grads earn more than those who don't go to college. Does it follow that governments should encourage more kids into university? Not necessarily. Bryan Caplan here points to work by Eberly and Athreya showing that while the college premium ... Read More