Peter Hirst Consulting
Media
<[>In the press
- Times Higher Education Supplement, 30 April, 1999 - university spin-outs and consulting
- Chronicle of Higher Education, 14 April 2000 - online learning
- Times Higher Education Supplement, 12 July 2002 - academic entrepreneurialism
- The Independent, 13 April 2006 - international university ranking: g-factor
- Science Magazine, 26 April 2006 - international university ranking: g-factpr
- World Education News and Reviews, August 2006 - international university ranking: g-factor and fuzzy clusters
- Dallas Morning News, 27 April 2007 - interviewed about influx of British CEOs into the USA
Publications and Reports
Authored / Co-authored
Science and Technology Policy Reports for UK Parliament
114 - Internet Commerce: Threats and Opportunities
Eight page POSTnote, April 1998
Although slow to start, electronic commerce over the internet is growing fast and making it necessary to address key issues which will determine the way in which this truly global marketplace develops. This note explains some of the arcane and complex related issues (eg. encryption).
110 - Electronic Government
Four page report summary, February 1998
Full report (html version)
Information and communication technologies (ICT) have revolutionised many businesses and transformed relationships with customers. In the public sector however, effects have been less dramatic, raising the question whether the full benefits of ICT in delivering public services are being realised. The potential of ICT also inspires visions of a more open Government with greater public participation. POST has reviewed ‘electronic government’ and how ICTs might be used to transform the relationships between government and the citizen. This note summarises the full report.
109 - Health Risks and Mobile Phones
Four page POSTnote, January 1998
The rising market for mobile phones has been accompanied by concerns over their safety, especially that the radio frequencies used to transmit signals may cause harm (most notably cancer). Such concerns relate both to the siting of the transmitter ‘base’ stations and the use of hand-held receivers. This briefing note looks at the evidence behind such concerns, and the policy issues that arise.
98 - The Millennium Threat – an Update
Four page POSTnote, June 1997
Many computer systems may fail in transition to the Year 2000, because of the way they store and manipulate dates. Initiatives to address this problem in the public and private sectors have grown in the last year, but much remains to be done. This note updates evidence on the potential scale of the ‘date change problem’ and the issues raised.
93 - Fraud and Computer Data Matching
Four page POSTnote, February 1997
Technical advances in computers and telecommunications allow targeting in marketing and can also help combat fraud. This raises questions of compatibility with current data protection legislation which have resonated in Parliament. This note analyses these trends, including data matching, and the policy issues raised.
89 - Computer Systems and the Millennium
Four page POSTnote, December 1996
Many computer systems may fail in the transition to the Year 2000, because of the way they store and manipulate dates. This note analyses the potential scale of the ‘date change problem’ and the policy issues raised.
86 - Making it in Miniature – Nanotechnology, UK Science and its applications
Four page POST report summary, October 1996
Nanotechnology is one of those generic technologies underpinning many areas of technological progress, and this report looks at the various applications areas and how well equipped the UK science base is to meet current and future challenges. The report finds that while strengths exist and have been helped by previous Government support, nanotechnology has rather slipped between the cracks in the technology foresight programme and is suffering as a result. Policies to redress this are explored.
80 - Impacts on Earth from Space
Four page POSTnote, June 1996
This report reviews the numbers of satellites in orbit and other sources of potential debris returning to Earth, and the measures for their tracking and control.
77 - Counterfeit Banknotes
Four page POSTnote, March 1996 Counterfeiting of bank notes and other documents is becoming an increasing problem, due to advances in reprographic technologies. This note looks at the extent of the problem and counter-measures.
73 - Looking Down on Earth – the future of Earth Observation from Space
Four page POST report summary, January 1996
This report looks at the increasing reliance on satellite-based instruments for a range of applications on Earth, such as monitoring for agricultural fraud, land use planning, weather and climatology. It also examines the potential applications which are, as yet, unrealised and the barriers which stand in the way of more effective use of satellite data.
72 - Ballistic Missile Defence
Four page POSTnote, January 1996
This looks at current concerns as to the whether the UK should pursue a limited anti-ballistic missile defence.
64 - Mobile Telephone Crime
Four page POSTnote, June 1995
Describes the growth of ‘technological crime’ involving mobile telephones, from theft to fraud and ‘cloning’, and examines approaches to mitigating the problem.
63 - Working at a Distance – UK teleworking and its implications
Four page POST report summary, June 1995
Reviews current trends in teleworking in the UK, its potential in employment terms, and its effects on transport, etc.
62 - Information Superhighways - the UK National Information Infrastructure
Four page POST report summary, May 1995
Reviews the current state of the telecommunications infrastructure in the UK, and how far it meets the needs of the NII. Also reviews NII uses and relevant issues.
Other Resources Contributed to on Electronic Government
Government on the Web
Website originally created at Enterprise LSE, run now by Profs Patrick Dunleavy (LSE) and Helen Margetts (UCL). Access to numerous reports, including various studies undertaken for the UK National Audit Office.
Links