Just last week, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister - Judith Collins, announced that the government would be slashing funding to humanities and social sciences programmes funded under the Marsden Fund.
Collins said that Marsden funding needed to be redirected to natural science fields, such as physics, mathematics and biology, which she said had more "tangible" impacts on the economy.
However, the move has been criticised by academics from both humanities and social sciences background, who've highlighted the importance of social science in highlighting societal inequities and called the funding cuts "ideologically-driven".
Oto spoke to Nicola Gaston from the Department of Physics at the University of Auckland for her perspective on the cuts to humanities and social science programs in the Marsden fund as a professor in a natural science field.
Last week a major study was published by Nature Communications which discovered that pesticides are causing significant harm to numerous species which they are not intended to harm.
The review examined over 1700 experimental studies, including a handful from Aotearoa. It found pesticides can reduce plant and animal growth, and affect animals' ability to find a mate or catch prey. However, the researchers note that cutting pesticide use could affect global food supply.
Producer Amani spoke with Professor at Lincoln University’s Department of Soil and Physical Sciences and Co-Director of Bioprotection Aotearoa, Amanda Black, on how this could have an impact on Aotearoa’s produce and economy, and what we can do to avoid harming non-target organisms whilst using pesticides.
The Parliament’s Workforce and Education Committee has released an interim report on an inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders face online. The government has recently announced an overhaul of the Resource Management Act and introduced two new bills in its place, the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill.
For our weekly catch-up with the National Party, Producer Vihan spoke to MP Carl Bates, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Workforce and Education Committee, about the new findings of the interim report, the new Natural Environment Bill, and the Fast Track Approval Amendments Bill.
Could humans be developing bigger heads and therefore, bigger brains? The University of Vienna has published a study which suggests that the increasing number of C-sections may be affecting human evolution. Before C-sections were so common, natural selection would have it that fetuses with large heads did not survive birth. Bruce Floyd, a senior lecturer in biological anthropology at the University of Auckland, researches human development and biological variation, and speaks to 95bFM reporter Martha Lees.
This week on the Wednesday show, Ximena & Dylan look at new and old drug policy (of both the natural and synthetic sort), as well as some cool eco businesses who're doing some cool eco things. Steve Pointing also pops by for Dear Science, where he talks through the crucial components that make life on earth thrive.
Today on the show, Adam chats to Tracey about accusations made by the Green Party that New Zealand First purse racist immigration policy. They also touch upon a new initiative to replace synthetic carpeting with natural wool in government owned buildings.
Special-Occasion-Clayton gives the rundown on the latest Studio Ghibli offering, The Red Turtle, a French/Japanese hand drawn co-production that features zero dialogue across themes of life, death and the natural world. But possibly the most important question with regards to a feature by the prestigious animation studio: just how many feels were felt?
Dana talks to Mikey about companies sharing their secrets. While larger companies can afford a better breed of research and development, smaller companies are far more flexible to remain cutting edge. But can they work together to mutual gain or will the competitive nature of business thwart any possible rewards?
Kelly talks to Nicole Wedding from Radio Adelaide on the latest in Australian news. Another Melbourne council has voted to change the date of Australia Day as many believe it to be a culturally insensitive and outdated celebration. A study has revealed the baby boomers generation are the worst for alcohol and illicit drug misuse, and a natural healing doctor is facing scrutiny after helping some parents get around the 'no jab, no play' rule.
Deputy Paul is on this week with new tunes from Jenny Don't & The Spurs, Lazerus Nichols, Brandon Luedtke, Shovels & Rope & Sarah Shook and The Disarmers. There's wonderment about with The Magic Factory, Natural Child & Creedence. We jump into the blues hole with Muddy, JB Hutto & His Hawks and Heart Attack Alley plus Simon Coombe from Heriot Row plays a couple live in the studio.
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