Research

Thursday, February 7, 2013

How big is that parachute?

by Communications and Public Affairs

Kareen Brown, Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo School of Accounting and Finance
They run billion-dollar companies, provide income for thousands of families and make decisions that send economies soaring to the clouds, or diving to the ground.

Top chief executives officers (CEOs) command big pay cheques for shouldering enormous responsibilities. However, since the credit crash of 2008, their decisions have come under close study by aggrieved shareholders and curious academics.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

What’s a mutual fund?

by By Christian Aagaard, Communications and Public Affairs

Assistant Professor Blake Phillips, University of Waterloo School of Accounting and Finance
’Tis the season when thousands of Canadians hold their breath, shut their eyes and commit a share of their earnings to retirement savings plans -- without knowing nearly enough about them.

Blake Phillips wishes it were different. He’d like to see people approach financial markets the way many shop for mortgages, as heads-up consumers wary about spending more money than they have to.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Getting a view of the big picture when banks make decisions

by By Sam Toman, Faculty of the Environment

When thinking about industries that affect the environment, banks may not leap to mind.

Professor Olaf Weber, University of Waterloo, SEED
But when you consider that banks can choose to finance oil sands development or solar farms, the relationship becomes clear. And it flows both ways:  if a bank holds contaminated land as collateral, it can be held liable for cleaning it up.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

World-changing research from Canada's most innovative university

by Staff, Communications & Public Affairs

This is a place of world-changing impact, where ideas have the power to transform, and unique intellectual property policies allow students and researchers to stake their claim to the future. Defined by an unassailable spirit of connection and collaboration, Waterloo is a place like no other.

Breakthrough scientific research happening at Waterloo will lead to better medical diagnosis and treatment, a revolution in communication and information security, power produced at a cost the Earth can afford and deeper understanding of the universe around us.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Astronaut aboard the International Space Station to connect with Waterloo students

by Beth Gallagher, Communications and Public Affairs

Jaclyn Blacklock is a Waterloo researcher who wants to know how leisure protects workers from stress on the job. So, when she saw an opportunity to talk directly to a Canadian astronaut working on the International Space Station (ISS) she jumped at the chance.

“It’s not every day you get to speak to someone in outer space. I think it’s pretty cool,” said Blacklock, a PhD student in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.