Inside SIPA: January 2009

1. Scott Barrett to Join SIPA Faculty: Scott Barrett will join the Department of International and Public Affairs and the Earth Institute in the fall of 2009 as the first Lenfest Professor of Natural Resource Economics. Since 1999, Professor Barrett has served on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. Professor Barrett’s research focuses on interactions between natural and social systems, especially at the global level. More
2. Lincoln Mitchell’s Uncertain Democracy: Lincoln Mitchell published Uncertain Democracy: U.S. Foreign Policy and Georgia’s Rose Revolution, the first scholarly examination of Georgia’s recent political past. Professor Mitchell recounts the events that led to the overthrow of President Eduard Shevardnadze and analyzes the factors that contributed to the staying power of the democratically elected government led by President Mikheil Saakashvili. More
3. Helios Herrera on “Following the Crowd”: Do investors or other actors observe and mimic the decisions of their peers in buying or selling equities? Many government and financial leaders worry that such “herd” behavior destabilizes the markets. Helios Herrera presents a paper entitled “Social Learning with a Hidden Action,” examining how a peer’s decision to invest can lead to others following suit.  More
4. Antoine Halff on Energy Nationalism, Consumer Style: Adjunct Professor Antoine Halff published an article, "Energy Nationalism, Consumer Style: How the Quest for Energy Independence Undermines US Ethanol Policy and Energy Security," in the Stanford Law and Policy Review. More
5. Michael Silverman and Compliance Management: Adjunct Professor Michael Silverman published a new book, Compliance Management for Public, Private or Non-Profit Organizations. It is a hands-on guide to implementing strategies and techniques for developing, managing and improving the compliance function of any organization. More
6. Around the World with Joseph Stiglitz: Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz joined the Lincoln Center Film Society to answer questions following a screening of Jacques Sarasin’s new travelogue Around the World with Joseph Stiglitz. The documentary follows Professor Stiglitz as he studies the perils and promises of the increasingly international economy. More
7. Jagdish Bhagwati and Guillermo Calvo Host Panel on “The Growth Report”: The Program in Economic Policy Management (PEPM) presented a panel discussion on “The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development,” released from the Commission on Growth Development. The panel discussion featured two members of the Commission, Robert Solow, Nobel Laureate and MIT Professor Emeritus, and Danny Leipziger, Vice-President of the World Bank. Jagdish Bhagwati and Guillermo Calvo hosted the guests and provided comments and discussion.
   View a video of the panel discussion.
   Download the full report here.
8. “Neat” Learning Experience: Katharine Morgan, Robert Lieberman and Associate Dean Rob Garris offered two dozen students a condensed education in the history, tastes and regional characteristics of fine single malt Scotch whisky. Students sampled six varieties: Glenkinchie, the Macallan, Oban, Talisker, Laphroaig and Lagavulin, ranging from the very smooth to “slap in the face.” More
9. Alumna Wins Emmy: Congratulations to alumna Na Eng (MIA ‘99) on winning a 2008 Emmy Award for business and financial reporting. Ms. Eng won the Emmy for her segment entitled “Taxing the Poor,” presented on the program NOW on PBS. The segment focuses on state tax policies and the working poor, and the impact on three families in Alabama.
   To watch “Taxing the Poor” or learn more about its production, click here.
   To learn more about Na Eng and her award-winning documentary work, visit her blog.
10. Other news, publications and media appearances:
    • SIPA Advisory Board Member David Ottoway published The King’s Messenger: Prince Bandar bin Sultan and America's Tangled Relationship with Saudi Arabia.
    • Antoine Halff authored an oil market note, excerpted in the Middle East Economic Survey.
    • Rodolfo de la Garza addressed corruption and drug violence in Mexico on World Focus.
    • Claudia Dreifus addressed the public’s perceptions of science and scientists in Seed Magazine.
    • Arvind Panagariya authored the “Myths of Mumbai” in the Indian Express.
    • Steven Cohen addressed Barack Obama’s “Green Team” in Popular Science.
    • Lincoln Mitchell co-authored with Alexander Cooley “No Way to Treat Our Friends: Recasting Recent U.S.-Georgian Relations” in the Georgian Daily.
    • Steven Cohen, executive director of the Earth Institute, has agreed to serve as a senior advisor to Willdan Group, Inc. on matters relating to energy efficiency and sustainability. Willdan provides services to cities and other government agencies, including civil engineering, building and safety services, geotechnical engineering, financial, management and economic consulting, energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, disaster preparedness and homeland security. More
    • Pictured Above: Marcelo Ebrard, Mayor of Mexico City, with students, faculty and staff during the fall 2008 semester. In the first lecture of SIPA’s Mayors' Speaker Series, Mayor Ebrard spoke on "Transforming Mexico City: Creating a City for the 21st Century."

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