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APRIL 3, 2021
TOM BAKER ON RNZ’S NINE TO NOON
There’s been a proliferation of crowdfunding iniatives particularly seeking donations to pay medical treatment, and new research provides information about how the key to success can involve how crowdfunding campaigners market illness to best capture the attention of potential donors. Campaigns for personal health expenses are rapidly growing globally but it is also a feature in New Zealand as a gap filler for people trying to access the stretched public health sector. One of the researchers, Dr Tom Baker is a University of Auckland senior lecturer in human geography – and he says the results of the study show it is difficult to get people to donate money for someone they don’t actually know.
Click on this link or listen below.
APRIL 28, 2021
CAITLIN NEUWELT-KEARNS & TOM BAKER DISCUSS THEIR RESEARCH IN THE CONVERSATION
How crowdfunding campaigners market illness to capture the attention of potential donors
Liam’s* crowdfunding campaign page is direct: his “sole purpose is to survive”. Before his diagnosis with inoperable brain cancer, Liam was a “healthy, fitness and sports minded 44-year-old, [who gave] his time and skills away freely by being a regular at charity events, fundraising for a number of organisations and more recently sponsoring amateur athletes”. Holly, Liam’s friend, caregiver and now crowdfunding campaign manager, appeals to the crowd: “It’s time for us to come together and help this amazing man out.” This narrative may be familiar — it provides a window into the high-stakes world of medical crowdfunding. In our new research, we explore who the people behind these campaigns are and how they work to capture the crowd’s attention in a competitive environment. Read more
APRIL 28, 2021
TOM BAKER SPOKE ON 95bFM
The Complications of Crowdfunding w/ Dr. Tom Baker
In a recent study, it was found when it comes to crowdfunding campaigns, not only is a large amount of pressure place on those fundraising for medical purposes, but there are also certain biasies which can determine how successfula campaign is.
To understand why people campaign, what makes a good campaign, and what some of the stresses are, James talks to Dr. Tom Baker, one of the authours of the study about what was found. Listen here!
MARCH 11, 2021
SALENE SCHLOFFEL-ARMSTRONG PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE IN THE SPINOFF
Wellington Central Library has been at the centre of an increasingly bitter dispute in recent weeks, after the city council voted to sell off part of the library building as office space. In response to loud and wide condemnation, several councillors had a change of heart and the library was given a reprieve. Why was the debate over a small part of this single library building – whether the current structure or an imagined future building – so polarising and emotive? Read more