Current research projects

Causal effects of drone strikes

Studying the consequences of US drone strikes in Pakistan when it comes to terrorism, anti-US sentiment and radicalisation. Together with Rafat Mahmood, we employ wind conditions as an exogenous variation to isolate the causal effects of drone strikes. 

Project lead: Associate Professor Michael Jetter
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Consequences of female role model success

Together with Wayne Grove and Kerry Papps, we evaluate whether major success stories of local female role models can change people’s gender attitudes. Studying rich survey data around Samantha Stosur’s US Open win in 2011, we find that men from Queensland (where Stosur is from) systematically change their beliefs about the role of women in society right after her win. Queensland men become less likely to believe (i) that men make better political leaders; (ii) that it is better if the man earns the money in a relationship; and (iii) they are less likely to prefer a boy as their next child. Interestingly, we find no effects for Queensland women.   

Project lead: Associate Professor Michael Jetter

Examining gender differences in managerial vocal cues

This project examines how the market responds to the different affective states of CEOs contained in their vocal cues. Using publicly available quarterly earnings conference call recordings, we quantify affective states of CEOs with the state-of-the-art software LVAi (provided by Memesysco). This project reveals that market participants react more negatively to negative affect from male CEOs than their female counterparts. In addition, positive affect is better received by market participants when displayed by a female CEO under high scrutiny. Simply put, how and by whom information is said provides incremental signals than mere content of information. 

Project lead: Dr Zhangxin (Frank) Liu

Healthway active travel

The Healthway Active travel: Using wearable technology to analyse daily travel behaviour project fuses data from multiple research data collection instruments and devices (time-use diaries, smartwatches, video cameras) with participant interviews to better understand the role of active travel in achieving the recommendations of daily physical activity, as well as the potential of passive (wearables) in measuring activity-travel behaviour. The project’s results will inform the YourMove program of DoT and the Healthy Active by Design program of the Heart Foundation.

Project lead: Associate Professor Doina Olaru

Lessons from another Bitcoin copycat

This project utilises the unique cryptocurrency market to investigate the short-term performance of cryptocurrencies with similar names to the market leader – Bitcoin. In a novel and uncertain market (such as the cryptocurrency market), individuals will rely on symbolic information and mental shortcuts. Our results show that cryptocurrencies with similar names to Bitcoin enjoy superior early short-term performance, without increasing longer term survivability. Our paper highlights that in an age of information, coupled with an uncertain market created by a novel technology, the name of an organization may be a strong a signal to investors when other signals are unclear. This project will raise interests in the fields of imitation, marketing, and cryptocurrencies.

Project lead: Dr Zhangxin (Frank) Liu
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Media coverage and mass shootings

Analysing whether media coverage of mass shooters in the US can systematically influence the likelihood of future mass shootings. Theories in psychology and criminology have long predicted that media attention devoted to shooters may entice potential future perpetrators to also seek such fame. Using exogenous variation from the occurrence of natural disasters, we (Jay Walker and I) find that increased coverage indeed causes future shootings.

Project lead: Associate Professor Michael Jetter
Read the Working Paper
Watch the video

RailSmart Wanneroo planning support system

This project integrates numerous large sets of data at various spatial levels from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Landgate, Department of Transport, Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and Main Roads WA, to work out how the city of Perth functions and how people move around. The project provides various analytical modules for examining accessibility, land-use integration, public transport use and location of jobs and various facilities. It visualises input data and results using a dashboard tool that enables strategic town planning and forecasting for the potential impacts on the railway extension to Yanchep.

The online planning support tool is free to use, and the project was awarded the Best Integration of an Individual Technology Award at the Smart Cities Conference 2019.

Project lead: Associate Professor Doina Olaru

Supernatural beliefs and intestate conflicts

Together with Tim Krieger, we are exploring the relationship between supernatural beliefs and intestate conflicts. We circumvent endogeneity concerns by using solar eclipses in the Middle Ages as an exogenous variation, finding that making supernatural beliefs salient leads to a higher likelihood of conflict incidence and onset. Preliminary results indicate a sizeable effect, suggesting that supernatural beliefs are systematically associated with more large-scale organised violence. 

Project lead: Associate Professor Michael Jetter

Trends in public transport patronage in Perth

Through data-driven analytics, the ‘Understanding short and longer term patronage and network performance’ project with iMove and the Western Australian Department of Transport examines trends and patterns in public transport patronage in Perth, focusing primarily on monthly SmartRider data. 

It is a project integrating more than 30 datasets covering socio-economic indicators, changes in land-use and employment, changes in transport services and congestion conditions, special events, weather, etc. to understand spatial and temporal variation of patronage and its determinants, to derive price elasticities and predict ridership. Multiple econometrics, latent growth, spatial modelling and visualisation techniques have been applied in this research.

Project lead: Associate Professor Doina Olaru