If all the economists in New Zealand were laid to end to end across Cook Strait, that would be a good idea.
It’s an old gag, but one that still raises a wry smile for Lincoln University’s professor of economics, Paul Dalziel. Partly it’s the nature of the man, recognised for his humour and relaxed style in the lecture theatre, but there’s also the hint that Dalziel, having taught economics for 25 years, is fully confident about the future and value of economics - and it’s all good.
Dalziel’s passion for economics has been recognised with a Lincoln University Teaching Excellence Award, one of two awarded each year. The award is primarily for teaching Principles of Economics courses to first-year students for 25 years, and also for introducing a highly successful course for resource students in 2005.
Economics, says Professor Dalziel, has enormous potential to address the major issues of our age, such as climate change, ecological footprints, regional development and natural resource management. New Zealand is widely recognised for producing some innovative applications of economics in these areas, including our fisheries management systems, the recent “food miles” debate and species conservation.
“I am utterly convinced of the value of economics for individual and community well-being. Applications of economic methods will continue to make important contributions to New Zealand and the world, and people who master the principles of economics will make a big difference to public policy.”
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Professor Dalziel was nominated for the award by colleagues who say the quality of his teaching resources is a clear measure of his commitment. This includes four textbooks, two of which have been translated and published in Japan. One of his books The New Zealand Macroeconomy, co-written with former Lincoln University colleague, Ralph Lattimore, is in its fifth edition.
In eight teaching evaluations since 1991 Professor Dalziel has scored in the top two categories by 92 per cent of his students. Colleagues say students are attracted to Professor Dalziel by his reputation for providing fair, insightful and efficient feedback. “In particular, Paul understands the importance of communication between lecturer and students, and the value of class participation. He is adept at illustrating his theoretical points with real world examples, and teaching analytical and problem solving skills,” says Dr Chris Gan, Head of Lincoln’s Economics and Finance Group.
Lincoln’s new economics course for resource students is a good example. When he was given responsibility for this new course, Dalziel peppered the new course with examples drawn from real world problems to motivate this group of students. He also provided mock term tests and final exam, which doubled his workload but gave his students the best opportunity to prepare. Their results in the final exam were a significant improvement on the performance of resource students studying economics in previous years.
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Paul Dalziel took his first permanent academic position in 1984. It was a year New Zealand will never forget, and the subsequent decade of economic reforms provided the young economist, already imbued with a passion for university teaching, the context for his research. Indeed, New Zealand economic policy and excellence in teaching economics have defined a large part of his academic work.
Professor Dalziel has also taught at Otago University and the University of Canterbury. He says Lincoln University students have a particular appetite for knowledge at a practical level. As a result, his course content is constantly updated with real-world examples and case studies which encourage the development of problem-solving ability.
“It’s fair to say that few students come to us with the intention of becoming an economist, but each year some students studying economics as part of their commerce or resource management programme become fascinated by its possibility to address really significant issues. It’s great to work with these passionate young people who are committed to making a difference in terms of what they can give to society.”
Professor Dalziel is also recognised for the quality of his research, which includes more than 70 refereed publications. He has twice been awarded a Lincoln University Special Achievement Award for Excellence in Research. In September 2006, he received the Best Conference Paper Award at the Australian New Zealand Regional Science Association International conference in Australia. This award was the result of ongoing research with Professor Caroline Saunders, Director of the AERU Research at Lincoln University, on issues of regional development in Canterbury and in New Zealand.
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In recent years, Professor Dalziel has worked with his spouse, Dr Jane Higgins, Senior Research Fellow and sociologist in Lincoln University’s AERU, who has developed a research programme on young people’s transition from school to employment. Their joint work recognises the difficulties that young New Zealanders face in considering their choices and defining a career path, and the paradox of skills shortages. Dalziel and Higgins will be working on an international OECD project on this theme in 2007.
Lincoln University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Roger Field, says “Professor Dalziel’s nomination stood out for his passion for improving teaching and learning throughout his career, while maintaining his research interests. Lincoln University values high quality teaching and learning, and it is a pleasure to be able to recognise Professor Dalziel’s achievements with this award.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Elizabeth Owens
Marking and Communications Manager
Tel: 027 290 6019
Paul Dalziel
Professor of Economics
Tel: 021 060 7150