A Hybrid Discussion of Multiliteracy and Identity Politics

Much discussion has taken place in composition and writing center studies regarding “multi-”s: multimedia, multiliteracy, multimodality, even multiwriting. The “multi-” that has received the most attention in writing center studies specifically is multiliteracy. This attention has manifested in some scholars calling for the writing center’s evolution to a multiliteracy center, or MLC (Trimbur; Sheridan, “Introduction”; Sheridan, “Words, Images, Sounds”; McKinney; Balester et al.). This call is contemporaneous with but virtually distinct from another important discussion in writing center studies. I am talking here about the politics of identity. The major questions in this discussion have been: What are the ways we can put into pedagogical practice a theory of identity that is based on discursive practices and intersectionality as opposed to one based on fixed, isolated definitions? Additionally, how can we ensure that this kind of pedagogy provides the grounds for subverting and resisting hegemonic discourses (Cooper; Bawarshi and Pelkowski; Grimm; Denny, “Queering the Writing Center”; Denny, Facing the Center)? While I do not propose here a comprehensive cultural studies pedagogy nor a comprehensive multiliteracy pedagogy, I do see an opportunity for consultant training in making these discussions talk to one another.University Writing Cente

Save now, prosper later : Increasing New Zealand’s savings rate - a preliminary dynamic CGE analysis

New Zealand, savings rate

Distance isn’t dead : An empirical evaluation of food miles-based preference changes

Food miles measure the distance food travels to reach consumers plates. Although substituting local food for imported produce will not necessarily reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the food miles movement is an intuitively appealing idea to consumers and supported by import-competing producers. We investigate the economic implications of food miles-induced preference changes in Europe using a global, economy-wide model. We observe large welfare losses for New Zealand and several Sub-Saharan African nations. This suggests that food miles campaigns will increase global inequality without necessarily improving environmental outcomes. We then consider the implications of our results for New Zealand businesses and government agencies. We conclude that there is an ongoing requirement for careful monitoring of offshore consumer trends and that New Zealand firms need to demonstrate their sustainability credentials to avoid suffering negative demand shocks.food miles, non-tariff barriers, trade protection

Lifting export performance. Actions to drive growth in exports

This report aims to provide an independent view on options for New Zealand firms, business organisations and government to boost export growth

Hi ho silver lining? What firms need to think about as New Zealand ages

This report argues that the ageing New Zealand population will see fewer productive workers in proportion to the number of retirees which will drive up wages, and that firms need to prepare. Key findings: Ageing will impact on firms’ costs of doing business New Zealand’s ageing has a profound impact on the costs of producing goods and services. Ageing shrinks the future pool of labour as a fraction of society. That drives up wages as firms bid for talent. As firms respond, we show higher wages reduce output in labour - intensive sectors like manufacturing. This continues the long - run trend in that sector with firms moving away from competing on cost and moving toward competing in niche manufacturing based on specialised knowledge and expertise . Opportunities from changes in demand for firms who adapt Challenges and opportunities exist on the demand side too. Consumption effects are driven by: (i) how our needs and desires change at different points of our lives (ii) how consumption by a particular age changes over time: today’s sixty - year old is not the same as the sixty - year old of yesteryear. Some changes to demand for goods and services will be clear and industry specific: health, travel and insurance are likely to profit from an older population. But demand changes can be subtle. Firms will need a plan to make the most of shifting opportunities in their sector. Global and regional factors intensify the impact of ageing New Zealand is also ageing unevenly. Some regions show the impact of in-flows of older cohorts at the same time as opportunities in urban areas offshore are hollowing out younger cohorts. This amplifies the impact on regional labour markets and will shift regional patterns of demand. Meanwhile global competition for talent will amplify the impacts of labour in short supply further bidding up wages. If the environment for producing labour - intensive goods is challenging now, higher wages make that environment look even tougher

Electric, Hybrid and High Fuel Efficiency Vehicles: Cost-Effective and Equitable GHG Emission Reductions in Maine

Maine’s transportation sector accounts for 54% of Maine’s CO2 emissions, with almost all of this coming from gasoline and diesel (MDEP 2020). On a per-capita basis, Maine’s transportation sector is about average for the nation (rank 24 out of 50). Reducing transportation-related petroleum demand and emissions will benefit Maine’s economy. This can be achieved by increasing vehicle efficiency, switching to alternative fuels (e.g., electricity, biofuels) that have lower emissions per mile, and by reducing the demand for motorized transportation. These actions can and should be done while meeting social equity goals that account for regional, income and racial inequalities. The GHG benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) are particularly strong in states such as Maine that have electrical grids relying on renewable energy sources and natural gas. However, given the low current sales rate of new EVs, less than 2% in Maine, EV-focused programs do not affect the overwhelming majority of current new vehicle purchases. We provide some estimates of possible fuel and GHG savings from a used high mile-per-gallon (MPG) vehicle incentive program for Maine. These are based on common Maine vehicles and represent savings if drivers participate in the program. The GHG emission reductions realized will depend on the specifics of the program implementation and the linkage of such a program with a scrappage program to remove the least efficient vehicles from Maine’s roads

Maine Trail Use During COVID-19: Project Summary

The University of Maine, in collaboration with Maine\u27s Office of Outdoor Recreation, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and the Maine Trails Coalition, completed an exploratory project using StreetLight Insight metrics to document pedestrian and bicycle activity at 89 distinct trail locations and 92 sites within Camden Hills and Mt Blue State Parks