This issue 2 Policy analysis 4 Orienteering 5 Workchoice University of Auckland news for staff | Vol 41 | Issue 8 | 2 June research excellence Engineering doctoral students Kelly Wade and Samantha Rogrigues look after the joint and spinal tissue biomechanics display, funded by AMRF, Wishbone Trust NZ, Woolf Fisher Trust (MPPT) and the NZ Equine Trust. The contribution charities make to University Foundation, Cognition Education Research Trust, and the impact of these beliefs on student research was highlighted at the Celebrating The Australia and Pacific Science Foundation, outcomes. research excellence event held on 10 May. Lottery Health Research, National Heart dr Matheson russell (Department of Each year charities such as the Maurice and Foundation, Sir John Logan Campbell Medical Philosophy) for his study on the condition of Phyllis Paykel Trust, Neurological Foundation and Trust, and Child Health Research Foundation. plurality — the condition of being one among Woolf Fisher Trust (MPPT) fund University Award winners many, and the agency and vulnerability we research to the tune of $10 million. At this year’s The research promise shown by six academic experience in the social world by virtue of our Celebrating Research Excellence event, charities staff spanning five faculties was recognised at embodiment. supported ten display boards showcasing the Celebrating Excellence Awards. dr benjamin Thompson (Department of leading research projects. These included a Early Career Research Excellence Awards each Optometry and Vision Science) for his work on display of joint and spinal tissue biomechanics; a worth $25,000 were presented to: the treatment of amblyopia (or lazy eye) in study of the way the brain develops using a dr Michelle dickinson (Department of Chemical adults, and the effects of a novel “at home” human visual system; showcasing super- and Materials Engineering) for her work on the treatment using an iPod touch device. resolution imaging and a quest to find if influence of ocean acidification on calcified sea dr silas villas-boas (School of Biological Queensland’s coral coast was linked into the creatures. Sciences) for his work which investigates the Lapita Cultural Complex of Pacific colonisation dr richard ekins (Faculty of Law) for his biology and metabolism of Epicoccum 3,000 years ago. investigation into the implications of the nature purpurascens, the results of which are expected Charities involved in the displays were: of legislative action on the practice of judicial to assist with future research involving genome Auckland Medical Research Foundation, review of legislation. sequencing and metabolic engineering. Wishbone Trust NZ, Woolf Fisher Trust, NZ Equine Trust, Neurological Foundation, NZ dr Christine rubie-davies (Teaching, Learning The awards recognise and promote excellence Optometric Vision Research Foundation, and Development, Faculty of Education) for her and research leadership potential among Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, Neurological work investigating teacher and student beliefs, emerging researchers. UniversiTy news is pUblished by Communications and Marketing, Fisher Building,18 Waterloo Quadrant, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142. eMAIL [email protected] www.auckland.ac.nz/universitynews ediTor Tess Redgrave phoTogrAphy Godfrey Boehnke design AND PRODUCTION The University of Auckland From the Vice-chancellor Policy analysis for amazing children much of Michael’s research has focused on educational change, and the effects of reforming governance systems. He was shoulder-tapped to chair the Taskforce because of his reputation both as a policy intellectual and as someone able to effectively lead team-based policy projects. “It was also about managing a consultative process and being viewed as an honest broker,” he says. “Taskforces are set up by At the recent Universitas 21 presidents governments to be independent and they are meeting, held at the University of new south expected to deliver unlikely messages. In that wales, i was asked to speak on the funding sense, chairing a taskforce to propose new policy challenges faced by new Zealand directions is compatible with the ‘critic and universities. i explained how, for several conscience of society’ role listed among our decades now, government policy had “who is this guy who doesn’t even work in the academic duties”. restricted our income from domestic sector? he’s an academic.” Michael also used his Taskforce role to apply students, tilted the playing field for research That luke-warm, stakeholder reaction to ideas developed in the University setting funding against us, and left us vulnerable to Associate Professor Michael Mintrom’s concerning smart delivery of policy advice. “I the impact of poor performance by other acceptance of the Government’s invitation to was keen to offer advice in ways that broke from organisations on the international student chair the Early Childhood Education Taskforce business-as-usual reporting. So over the life of market. This had led to a continued erosion was quickly dispelled as he introduced blue-skies the Taskforce, we used Facebook to keep of our income per student, a financial thinking into government policy-making. stakeholders informed of our activities. All of our measure that is strongly and positively This week, the nine-member taskforce meeting notes were immediately placed on our related to institutional quality. launched its report “An Agenda for Taskforce website. The final report is The Government’s Budget, delivered on 19 Amazing Children”. accompanied by short videos on our website May, continues that trend. The student tuition Thoroughly grounded in research evidence, where we explain our recommendations for component of Government funding will rise by the report highlights actions needed to achieve a people with limited time. For those who love 2 percent but the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is high-quality ECE sector. Those actions include details, we built a web-based funding model projected to rise by over 3 percent and our re-prioritising government spending, reforming where you can test the effects of parameter costs typically increase by 1.6 times CPI. This ECE funding mechanisms, improving access for changes on families, services, and the fiscal means a reduction, in real terms, of around 3 children from low-income families, and giving bottom-line. We’ve pushed the potential of percent in our funding. Government more support to parents. current website technology to showcase constraints on student fees will ensure that we “There is good reason to put more resources innovation in policy advising.” cannot recover the deficit from students. into our youngest citizens,” says Michael. Echoing others in New Zealand, Australia, and Meanwhile there is no new investment in “That’s what longitudinal and cost-benefit Britain, Michael suggests that governments research, representing a further cut in studies tell us. Investments in the early years should make more effort to engage academic real terms. generate big returns, helping people go on to expertise for policymaking purposes. “Our On the positive side, the Budget allocates 40 lead more productive lives and make fewer taskforce process offered a clear example of new places for medical students from 2012 (to claims on society. how expertise and knowledge located in be allocated between Auckland and Otago) “Funding high-quality ECE is a form of universities can be deployed strategically for the together with $10million per annum to support nation-building. We’re saying: ‘If you get this good of the country.” marketing of New Zealand programmes to right then you will nurture amazing children, and The ECE Taskforce website is: international students. The provision by which amazing children set the foundation for an www.taskforce.ece.govt.nz international students may study for the PhD amazing country.’ ” Megan Fowlie at domestic tuition rates is retained, and there Although his taskforce role was arm’s length is some tinkering with student loans – though to his role in the Department of Political Studies, not enough to address the major impediment that a large interest-free loan balance constitutes to further investment in the institutions. Victorious 1987 all Blacks reunite Overall, and acknowledging the challenges The All blacks who won the inaugural rugby name is awarded annually to an outstanding posed to this country by the Canterbury world Cup in 1987 are holding their first full all-around school leaver enrolling at The earthquakes, this is not a Budget that will help reunion in october at the business end of University of Auckland. create the kind of innovative economy and the 2011 tournament. The dinner, at the Ellerslie Racecourse on 11 society that New Zealanders and the Between the quarter- and semi-finals, all 25 October, will feature a live panel discussion by Government claim to want. What it will do, players and management will come together former All Black greats Sir Brian Lochore, Sean unless we are very careful in how we use our for a black-tie dinner for 750 in Auckland to Fitzpatrick, Grant Fox and David Kirk. All were limited resources, is to ensure that New fundraise for the University’s John Drake key to the 1987 side, Sir Brian as coach and Zealand’s universities will fall behind those of Memorial Scholarship. David Kirk as playing captain (in the absence our competitors who, despite the global John Drake, a redoubtable prop forward in of the injured Andy Dalton). financial crisis, continue to invest