University of Michigan Press Blog

"The Cult of Statistical Significance" authors challenge cold medicine makers' math in Supreme Court case

In supposedly one of the top ten cases of the Supreme Court this year, authors of The Cult of Statistical Significance: How the Standard Error Costs Us Jobs, Justice, and Lives, Stephen T. Ziliak and Deirdre N. McCloskey have filed a case involving Zicam, a common cold medicine from Matrixx which evidently causes users to permanently lose their sense of smell. The case will have general and large implications for liability, regulation and the Securities Exchange Commission. In addition, at least two of the other briefs filed for this case cite Ziliak and McCloskey (2008) to support their argument against the Court's use of a bright line 5% standard.

"Illuminating Childhood" author Ellen Handler Spitz awarded "Professor of the Year"

Dr. Ellen Handler Spitz, author of Illuminating Childhood: Portraits in Fiction, Film, and Drama, was awarded the student-elected title of "Professor of the Year" by the University of Maryland for 2010. Spitz was presented with a plaque by the University President and the Program Director at the Honors College Graduation, to which she says, "I was speechless, stunned... After I got over the shock, I felt so happy! I care deeply about my teaching and about the students. Such a pleasure."

Author Bonnie Nardi writes A Brief Lesson in American History, or Why 'World of Warcraft' Matters

[Editor's note: U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, recently singled out the research of Bonnie Nardi, author of the new book My Life as a Night Elf Priest: An Anthropological Account of World of Warcraft, in his "Wastebook 2010: A Guide to Some of the Most Wasteful Government Spending of 2010" report. The book is based on Nardi's research on the social culture of online gaming, as paid for by a National Science Foundation grant.

Her response follows.]

Many readers are probably too young too remember Senator William Proxmire. I am sorry to say he served in the US Senate from 1957 to 1989. Despite some good works, Senator Proxmire’s lasting legacy has been as an enemy of science.

In 1975 he established the Golden Fleece Award for government projects he deemed wasteful. The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, NASA, the National Park Service, and other agencies received these awards. One of my professors, an anthropologist, was nominated for one, for a study of the Ghanaian economy. She is now an eminent anthropologist who has made significant contributions throughout her career.

Proxmire’s attack on science created a dangerous precedent and normalized the idea that people who don’t know beans about science can, by reading the title of a grant application, criticize specific scientists.

Recently my own work came under the modern version of Proxmire’s “awards,” in the form of scrutiny for funding I received from the National Science Foundation. Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) judged my research on World of Warcraft wasteful. The work concerned WoW play in North America and China.

UM Press celebrates 35th anniversary of the Poets on Poetry series

As 2011 approaches, the University of Michigan Press prepares to don its party hat for the 35th anniversary of Poets on Poetry. The series is a collection of critical works by contemporary poets, along with the articles, interviews, and book reviews by which they have articulated the poetics of a new generation, conceived in 1976 by poet, editor, and critic Donald Hall.

The series editors are currently Marilyn Hacker and Annie Finch, and the series is overseen by UM Press editor Ellen Bauerle, producing three to five volumes a year.

In the past 35 years, Hall's vision for the series has been brilliantly realized: to collect the best critical writing by contemporary American poets, and in so doing articulate the poetics of a generation -- and now, their progeny. Since that time, more than fifty volumes have appeared, gathering an assortment of reviews, essays, interviews, and memoirs by which contemporary poets have expressed themselves.

"Everyday Leadership" author and First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern receives 2010 Philip A. Hart Award

On the 19th of October, 2010, Daniel Mulhern, author of Everyday Leadership: Getting Results in Business, Politics, and Life and the first First Gentleman of Michigan, was presented with the 2010 Philip A. Hart Award at the 27th Annual Michigan Women's Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony. The award is presented annually to male citizens who have demonstrated a unique understanding of women's issues and concerns and have contributed to the advancement of women's rights and interests.

UMP Holiday Sale offers 40% off your favorite books!

Can't wait to get your hands on books like Greg Nelson's Michigan Ice Hockey before the holidays are over? Now is the time to buy! The University of Michigan Press is offering its 40%-off UMP Holiday Sale, featuring titles such as Patricia Majher's Ladies of the Lights, on Michigan's female lighthouse keepers, and Albin J. Zak III's I Don't Sound Like Nobody on the birth of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. From now through December 31, 2010, take 40% off these titles—no purchase limit!

When you're ready to check-out, type HOLIDAY10 in the promotional code field of the shopping cart to get your discount. Remember to click on the "Redeem Promotional Code" button, otherwise, your discount will not be applied.

Q&A with Greg Nelson, author of Michigan Ice Hockey

College ice hockey is one of the fastest, most entertaining sports on earth. Ann Arbor is home of the University of Michigan, the program that has won more collegiate hockey championships than any other.

Michigan Ice Hockey is a fan's ultimate guide, telling the story of the program from its first, humble days of skating outdoors on the frozen Huron River, to today's competitions on the best rinks in the nation. It covers everything from leading scores to tournament results to NHL player alumni. It's a love story for those conquering heroes on skates, the traditions and trivia that surround them, and the fans that drive them.

Greg Nelson is a professional writer and author of M is for Michigan Football published by the University of Michigan Press in 2009.

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