Eric Crampton • Oct 03, 2014 •
I poked Canterbury's Arin Basu on Google Plus, asking what's going on with the Health Sciences' group's attempts to block anybody else from doing funded research where the funding comes from sources they don't like. He there replies:Hi Eric ( +Eric Crampton) , thanks for bringing attention to this news item. I am not sure Health Sciences has anything to … Read More
Eric Crampton • Oct 03, 2014 •
Economics majors have the highest lifetime earnings, says Slate. Why?Part of it is that the finance and consulting industries like recruiting them, not necessarily for their specific skills, but because they consider the major a basic intelligence test. Granted, we're probably not seeing the effect of Goldman Sachs or Private Equity salaries in these charts, since they only stop … Read More
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