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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Aug 6

We have different publication norms and processes to biological sciences. Each paper we write is longer, peer review is more thorough. This paper was 10 years of work. We benefitted from the input of dozens of reviewers and scores conferences audiences. Please don't accuse us of doing bad science.

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Aug 6

In economic history, we lead with the empirics. We uncover surprising patterns. We then propose plausible explanations. We test them as rigorously as possible, given data limitations. We conclude with the most convincing narrative, which is inherently falsifiable.

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Aug 6

We let the data speak. We ran every suggested robustness test. We are a multidisciplinary team with expertise in economics, history and health. We consulted epidemiologists and famine experts. We have a nuanced argument that addresses biological, socioeconomic and institutional factors. Please.

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Aug 6

Read this, follow the links, you'll get a sense of which disciplines contribute to this field: theconversation.com/soaring-food...

Soaring food prices prove the Gaza famine is real – and will affect generations to come

History shows how devastating famines are and the lasting impact they have. Gaza is no different and a moral stain on those perpetuating it.

theconversation.com

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Aug 6

Or google another Nobel winner: Angus Deaton, who has written extensively on selection and scarring. Or maybe just read our article rather than questioning our qualifications.

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Aug 6

Anthropometrics is a very well established field with many health economics and economic history contributions. Just google Robert Fogel, Richard Steckel or John Komlos. Or take a look at the journal Economics & Human Biology.

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Jul 20

New publication: "Why are corporations terminated? A century of evidence from the Netherlands" (co-authored with Abe de Jong, Philip Fliers and Florian Madertoner). doi.org/10.1080/0007...

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Jun 14

Thanks! Exports were mostly higher-value cash crops. Proceeds were used to buy cheaper, higher-calorie imports. So exports probably saved lives. There were plenty of policy mistakes, but this is probably not one of them. I have written on policy lessons: www.economicsobservatory.com/the-great-ir...

The Great Irish Famine: what are the lessons for policy-makers today? - Economics Observatory

Catastrophic risks force policy-makers to make quick decisions based on limited information. The Great Irish Famine shows how such existential crises and the state’s response can precipitate radical a...

www.economicsobservatory.com

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Jun 13

And a non-technical summary of our article is over on RTÉ Brainstorm @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

How changes in height show the effects of the Great Irish Famine

New research finds that the long‑term health impacts of the Great Irish Famine varied by region and socioeconomic conditions

www.rte.ie

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Jun 13

The full article with @eoinaldo.bsky.social and Matthias can be accessed here:
doi.org/10.1111/ehr....

<em>The Economic History Review</em> | EHS Journal | Wiley Online Library

How do famines shape the health of survivors? We examine the long-term impact of the Great Irish Famine (1845–52) on human stature, distinguishing between adverse scarring effects and the apparent re...

doi.org

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

Irish Studies at QUB @irishstudiesqub.bsky.social · Jun 13

Our colleague @cliochris.bsky.social and co-authors Mathias Blum and Eoin McLoughlin have a video abstract explaining the key findings of their article 'Scarring and selection in the Great Irish Famine' in the Econ. Hist. Rev.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fptL...
and also at www.qub.ac.uk/schools/Iris...

Scarring and Selection in the Great Irish Famine: Video Abstract

YouTube video by CEPH

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

CAGE Research Centre @cagewarwick.bsky.social · Jun 11

📽️ It's been great to work with @discoverecon.bsky.social & @cephie.bsky.social to create a new series of videos to add to our suite of resources aimed at bringing economics and political history to life - showing young people that working in economics is about far more than finance.

New teaching resource provides critical thinking skills to students

Political conflict is high on the world news agenda with rising participation in protests against government policy and unethical practices.

buff.ly

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

EconomicsInTen @economicsinten.bsky.social · Jun 11

New set of videos from @discoverecon.bsky.social, @cagewarwick.bsky.social & @cephie.bsky.social - the last set were fantastic for development economics and this new set look just as interesting... #EconSky #EduSky www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

School Series (in association with Discover Economics) - YouTube

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

CEPH @cephie.bsky.social · Jun 10

We're looking forward to our workshops at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social next week:
ceph.ie/events/17-19... and ceph.ie/events/phd-w...

#EconSky #Economics #EconHist #NSRPproject @quceh.bsky.social @cliochris.bsky.social @profjohnturner.bsky.social @ronanlyons.bsky.social @gaianarciso.bsky.social

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

RTÉ Brainstorm @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social · May 19

How changes in height show health effects of the Great Irish Famine. Analysis of new data research by @eoinaldo.bsky.social @heriotwattuni.bsky.social @researchireland.ie & @cliochris.bsky.social @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

How changes in height show the effects of the Great Irish Famine

New research finds that the long‑term health impacts of the Great Irish Famine varied by region and socioeconomic conditions

www.rte.ie

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

RTÉ Brainstorm @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social · May 16

How changes in height show health effects of the Great Irish Famine. Analysis of new data research by @eoinaldo.bsky.social @heriotwattuni.bsky.social @researchireland.ie & @cliochris.bsky.social @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

How changes in height show the effects of the Great Irish Famine

New research finds that the long‑term health impacts of the Great Irish Famine varied by region and socioeconomic conditions

www.rte.ie

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Apr 11

Thanks for including it so quickly!

EconStor @econstor.bsky.social · Apr 11

Glad to have your paper on EconStor hdl.handle.net/10419/315206

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Apr 11

New working paper, co-authored with Homer Wagenaar.

We look at the strange but smart patent system of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1830) — a mix of examination + royal discretion of patent terms.

Turns out: it worked better than you'd think.

www.quceh.org.uk/uploads/1/0/...

Patently Peculiar: Patents and Innovation in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
By Homer Wagenaar and Christopher L. Colvin

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Mar 25

This publication has been a very long time coming. Thanks go especially to all the various referees over the years for their invaluable contributions. You can read all about it in our online appendices (which are longer than the article itself!) onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downl...

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Feb 5

Thanks Robbie! I enjoyed my trip to Scotland, despite the winds... Yes, we first met at ASREC 2011, in DC. I think that's where I first met @essobecker.bsky.social too!

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Jan 28

Our paper would not have been possible without the data digitisation efforts of our RAs: Thomas Boys, Paudie McKee, Andrew Richie, Kyle Richmond and Holly Shannon.

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Jan 28

New working paper alert: "Financing Innovation: The Role of Patent Examination". @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social, Christopher Coyle and I have been working on this for quite a while now. We are excited to have a full draft for your enjoyment! www.quceh.org.uk/uploads/1/0/...

Financing Innovation: The Role of Patent Examination.

Stephen D. Billington, Christopher L. Colvin and Christopher Coyle.

How does patent examination influence access to finance for innovative firms? We exploit a reform to the UK’s patent system that introduced substantive examination to the patent application process, improving the information available to potential investors on the value of firms’ patents. Using a newly compiled firm-level dataset of exchange-listed corporations, we find that firms holding examined patents were able to borrow more, reflecting improved access to capital markets, and leading to firm growth. Our results highlight the role of patent examination in reducing information asymmetries, enhancing the signalling value of patents, and mitigating financial barriers to innovation.

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

Ronan Lyons @ronanlyons.bsky.social · Jan 15

Delighted to share that Jane Humphries is this year's Alice Murray Distinguished Scholar, an award given annually by @cephie.bsky.social to an economic historian who has made a major contribution to the discipline. Her talk (27 Feb) will be on the econ-hist of care - more details below. #econsky

27/02/2025 Jane Humphries – The Alice Murray Distinguished Scholar Lecture - CEPH - Centre for Economics, Policy and History

Professor Jane Humphries will give the Alice Murray Distinguished Scholar Lecture on Thursday 27th February 2025 at 17:00 in the Neill Lecture Theatre of the Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin: 'Ca...

ceph.ie

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Reposted by Chris Colvin

CEPH @cephie.bsky.social · Jan 2

⚠️ Upcoming deadline!⚠️
Applications for our Research Assistant positions, based at @quceh.bsky.social @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social close this Monday 6th January 2025: ceph.ie/applications...
@profjohnturner.bsky.social @cliochris.bsky.social
#WeAreHiring #EconomicHistory #NSRPproject #EconSky

Applications now open for two CEPH Research Assistant positions at Queen's University Belfast - CEPH - Centre for Economics, Policy and History

We are seeking to appoint two exceptional candidates to the post of Research Assistant in Economic History, based at Queen's University Belfast. The Research Assistant will be active in assisting the ...

ceph.ie

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Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · Dec 19

For more details, contact the co-editors at Business History responsible for submissions that employ quantitative methods: @cliochris.bsky.social ([email protected]) and Abe de Jong ([email protected]).

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