Oliver Perra
@oliverperra.bsky.social
Senior Lecturer @ Queen's University Belfast. Developmental Psychology, Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics my professional interests. Music, reading, cycling, hiking, thinking, what I do outside work. Sardu de Casteddu. Views my own
it's the time of the year for lists etc. Here's some music that inspired me, starting from Daniela Pes' excellent album "Spira"
casumartzu.substack.com/publish/post... #music #folk #electronic #electronica #neofolk #Sardinia #DanielaPes
casumartzu.substack.com/publish/post... #music #folk #electronic #electronica #neofolk #Sardinia #DanielaPes
December 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
it's the time of the year for lists etc. Here's some music that inspired me, starting from Daniela Pes' excellent album "Spira"
casumartzu.substack.com/publish/post... #music #folk #electronic #electronica #neofolk #Sardinia #DanielaPes
casumartzu.substack.com/publish/post... #music #folk #electronic #electronica #neofolk #Sardinia #DanielaPes
Now out, free for everyone, my resources on survival analysis (including Cox regression models) with practicals and solutions. Available at @ncrm.ac.uk #statistics #survivalanalysis #research #methodology www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
NCRM resource | Advanced Topics in Survival Analysis by Oliver Perra
Survival analysis is a statistical approach used to investigate the occurrence and the timing of events. The specific nature and characteristics of the outcome of interest (whether and when an event
www.ncrm.ac.uk
October 21, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Now out, free for everyone, my resources on survival analysis (including Cox regression models) with practicals and solutions. Available at @ncrm.ac.uk #statistics #survivalanalysis #research #methodology www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
More analyses of the latest standardised school tests in Sardinia and Italy: the role of economic disparities in explaining regional variations in students' attainment #Sardinia #education #Italy #inequality open.substack.com/pub/casumart...
An Italian Education in Sardinia (2)
Analyses and reflections on the latest standardised tests of school performance across Italy
open.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM
More analyses of the latest standardised school tests in Sardinia and Italy: the role of economic disparities in explaining regional variations in students' attainment #Sardinia #education #Italy #inequality open.substack.com/pub/casumart...
Some analyses of the recent standardised proficiency tests in Italian pre-tertiary education, with emphasis on Sardinia. open.substack.com/pub/casumart...
An Italian education in Sardinia (1)
Some "wonkish" analyses of pre-tertiary education in Sardinia and Italy.
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Some analyses of the recent standardised proficiency tests in Italian pre-tertiary education, with emphasis on Sardinia. open.substack.com/pub/casumart...
Free for all to read: A unique longitudinal study of adopted children's mental health, focusing particularly on key transitional periods. doi.org/10.1017/S095... #psychology #development #longitudinal #research #adoption #childhood
June 13, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Free for all to read: A unique longitudinal study of adopted children's mental health, focusing particularly on key transitional periods. doi.org/10.1017/S095... #psychology #development #longitudinal #research #adoption #childhood
A panicky attempt by #Labour to gain the initiative on immigration is (yet another) self-harm gesture by this government #UK #migration #politics #Starmer. casumartzu.substack.com/p/uk-immigra...
UK Immigration Policy: Panic & Stupidity
The Labour Government in UK concedes to Reform
casumartzu.substack.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:44 PM
A panicky attempt by #Labour to gain the initiative on immigration is (yet another) self-harm gesture by this government #UK #migration #politics #Starmer. casumartzu.substack.com/p/uk-immigra...
Marina Hyde highlights a point @pkrugman.bsky.social has been making all along: these are not serious people, not a serious government. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It’s war and peace with Donald and Pete – and the worst group chat the world has ever seen | Marina Hyde
We absolutely won’t tolerate leaks, they said before looping in a journalist to top secret war plans. Feel safe? Me neither, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
March 26, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Marina Hyde highlights a point @pkrugman.bsky.social has been making all along: these are not serious people, not a serious government. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I've decided to give substack a go, so I have shared an older post there: trying to think how to save #democracy and counter #totalitarianism, #fascism, and #propaganda...https://open.substack.com/pub/casumartzu/p/a-way-out-of-totalitarianism?r=5cc9jb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
March 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I've decided to give substack a go, so I have shared an older post there: trying to think how to save #democracy and counter #totalitarianism, #fascism, and #propaganda...https://open.substack.com/pub/casumartzu/p/a-way-out-of-totalitarianism?r=5cc9jb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
thankfully someone reminds us that Mussolini's black shirts were not just a bunch of grown-up boy-scouts who liked knives, uniform, and marching #fascism #history www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Mussolini’s March on Rome was neither peaceful nor bloodless | Letter
Letters: Far from exaggerating the violence of Italian fascism, it could be argued that Joe Wright’s series Mussolini: Son of the Century plays it down, writes John Foot
www.theguardian.com
March 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
thankfully someone reminds us that Mussolini's black shirts were not just a bunch of grown-up boy-scouts who liked knives, uniform, and marching #fascism #history www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...
Thinking about analysing event occurrence and don't know where to start? Now online and open access my resources on introductory Survival Analysis @NCRM, with examples and exercises using R :) #statistics #research_methods #survival_analysis #R #research
www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
NCRM resource | Survival Analysis - Introduction by Oliver Perra
This resource will introduce key concepts underlying survival analysis and will develop examples of analyses applied to discrete time intervals. Concepts and models will be illustrated using examples
www.ncrm.ac.uk
March 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Thinking about analysing event occurrence and don't know where to start? Now online and open access my resources on introductory Survival Analysis @NCRM, with examples and exercises using R :) #statistics #research_methods #survival_analysis #R #research
www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
#FintanOToole reviewed #SusanNeiman. Many excellent points to explain why the #Left failed us, which explains why so many turned to #autocrats and #tribalism. To counter this, #illumist values of #universalism, justice and self-critique are all the more relevant www.susan-neiman.com/wp-content/u...
www.susan-neiman.com
February 6, 2025 at 12:26 PM
#FintanOToole reviewed #SusanNeiman. Many excellent points to explain why the #Left failed us, which explains why so many turned to #autocrats and #tribalism. To counter this, #illumist values of #universalism, justice and self-critique are all the more relevant www.susan-neiman.com/wp-content/u...
A comment to this video reminded me that for Ukrainians "time to go to war" is not a metaphor or a figure of speech, but the sad and tragic reality they lived with in the last 3 years www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIcc...
King Dude - Time To Go To War
YouTube video by vanrecords
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A comment to this video reminded me that for Ukrainians "time to go to war" is not a metaphor or a figure of speech, but the sad and tragic reality they lived with in the last 3 years www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIcc...
Some ideas on possible ways out of the totalitarian slump, thanks to #Zadie_Smith and others. #totalitarianism #democracy #fascism #consensus gittinwide.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-wa...
A way out of totaliarianism
One of most insightful pieces I read in 2024 was this review by Zadie Smith . Zadie Smith writes about a book that focused on ordinary peop...
gittinwide.blogspot.com
January 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Some ideas on possible ways out of the totalitarian slump, thanks to #Zadie_Smith and others. #totalitarianism #democracy #fascism #consensus gittinwide.blogspot.com/2025/01/a-wa...
still collating good reads from last year: This review by Zadie Smith provided valuable insights into what is happening to democracy and how we might start to counter the slope towards authoritarian rule www.nybooks.com/articles/202... #Zadie_Smith #democracy #fascism #socialmedia #history
The Dream of the Raised Arm | Zadie Smith
It’s no wonder those who lived under the Third Reich suffered ceaseless nightmares. What of our dreams today, under the totalitarianism of the online algorithm?
www.nybooks.com
January 13, 2025 at 9:28 AM
still collating good reads from last year: This review by Zadie Smith provided valuable insights into what is happening to democracy and how we might start to counter the slope towards authoritarian rule www.nybooks.com/articles/202... #Zadie_Smith #democracy #fascism #socialmedia #history
Northern Ireland under the snow, perfect setting for "The North" from a Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones #northerireland #norniron #winter #snow #gameofthrones
January 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Northern Ireland under the snow, perfect setting for "The North" from a Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones #northerireland #norniron #winter #snow #gameofthrones
In this podcast an academic argues Mussolini was the first to use politics as entertainment, thus creating a following and consensus. Does it sound eerily familiar? #fascism #democracy #socialmedia www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Real Dictators - Benito Mussolini Part 4: A Fine Bromance - BBC Sounds
As the World Cup comes to the Fatherland, Benito Mussolini prepares to meet Adolf Hitler…
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2025 at 11:37 AM
In this podcast an academic argues Mussolini was the first to use politics as entertainment, thus creating a following and consensus. Does it sound eerily familiar? #fascism #democracy #socialmedia www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
My comments on one of the books I (finally) read and liked in 2024: Emilio Lussu's first hand account of the rise to power of Fascism in Italy gittinwide.blogspot.com/2025/01/revi... #democracy #fascism #history
Reviews out of time: Lussu's "March on Rome and Whereabouts"
One of the books I have most enjoyed in 2024 was Emilio Lussu 's March on Rome and Whereabouts. It's a shame this book has not been transla...
gittinwide.blogspot.com
January 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
My comments on one of the books I (finally) read and liked in 2024: Emilio Lussu's first hand account of the rise to power of Fascism in Italy gittinwide.blogspot.com/2025/01/revi... #democracy #fascism #history
Alarming article in @Nature #science. This shitstorm is likely to hit the US come January. It may also hit the UK as soon as the "people's millionaire" farage or kemikaze badenoch (or whoever will follow her) grab some power. Old institutions and codes won't save us. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
‘There will be nothing left’: researchers fear collapse of science in Argentina
One year into Javier Milei’s presidency, scientists are exiting the country in the face of big budget cuts.
www.nature.com
December 12, 2024 at 2:20 PM
Alarming article in @Nature #science. This shitstorm is likely to hit the US come January. It may also hit the UK as soon as the "people's millionaire" farage or kemikaze badenoch (or whoever will follow her) grab some power. Old institutions and codes won't save us. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
a blog entry I wrote before #US_elections result. On the micro level: we know others when see them acting; on the macro: institutions are the result of individuals' actions. Conclusion: if we stop caring about #democracy, laws or institutions won't save it gittinwide.blogspot.com/2024/10/agai...
Against reification
I recently read this insightful chapter. Although the topic is developmental psychology, many of its insights are relevant for our underst...
gittinwide.blogspot.com
December 11, 2024 at 11:48 AM
a blog entry I wrote before #US_elections result. On the micro level: we know others when see them acting; on the macro: institutions are the result of individuals' actions. Conclusion: if we stop caring about #democracy, laws or institutions won't save it gittinwide.blogspot.com/2024/10/agai...
An interesting point of view and a challenge for #psychology research. I guess part of the problem also lies in research and statistical procedures being used too slavishly and without reflection #research_methods
Applied research is the path to legitimacy in psychological science
Comment by Judith P. Andersen
Web: go.nature.com/41qmccZ
PDF: rdcu.be/d2XLq
Comment by Judith P. Andersen
Web: go.nature.com/41qmccZ
PDF: rdcu.be/d2XLq
December 10, 2024 at 9:10 AM
An interesting point of view and a challenge for #psychology research. I guess part of the problem also lies in research and statistical procedures being used too slavishly and without reflection #research_methods
enchanted by this song, part of an outstanding album. Moody, dark, fascinating, intriguing, moreso because Daniela Pes sings in Gallurese, the language of the North Sardinian region of Gallura www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypzc...
Daniela Pes - CARME
YouTube video by La Famosa Etichetta Trovarobato
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2024 at 9:02 AM
enchanted by this song, part of an outstanding album. Moody, dark, fascinating, intriguing, moreso because Daniela Pes sings in Gallurese, the language of the North Sardinian region of Gallura www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypzc...
sarei felice se il Cagliari avesse un nuovo stadio da 25mila posti. Pero' se Giulini pretende che enti pubblici si accollino i costi, dovrebbe lasciare una parte significativa della proprieta' del Cagliari a questi enti, o meglio all'azionariato popolare #Cagliari www.unionesarda.it/sport/giulin...
Giulini: «Progetto per lo stadio presentato da 5 anni, rischia di essere già vecchio a causa delle lungaggini» - L'Unione Sarda.it
Il patron del Cagliari parla a Paulilatino. Un pensiero anche per Bove: «Vicini alla Fiorentina, abbiamo vissuto insieme la tragedia di Astori»
www.unionesarda.it
December 9, 2024 at 2:02 PM
sarei felice se il Cagliari avesse un nuovo stadio da 25mila posti. Pero' se Giulini pretende che enti pubblici si accollino i costi, dovrebbe lasciare una parte significativa della proprieta' del Cagliari a questi enti, o meglio all'azionariato popolare #Cagliari www.unionesarda.it/sport/giulin...
so lucky to live in the beautiful "Winterfell" North #gameofthrones #northernireland
November 28, 2024 at 1:19 PM
so lucky to live in the beautiful "Winterfell" North #gameofthrones #northernireland
It's a nice day when you get back a review of a submitted manuscript and one reviewer says my analyses were "exemplary"! 😀 btw, I love to help others learn about data analyses: here are some resources I created, but there's more there... www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
NCRM resource | Introduction to Mediation and Moderation by Oliver Perra
This resource will introduce key concepts and practical examples of mediation analysis and moderation analysis. The examples provided will be mostly based on extensions of ordinary least square appro
www.ncrm.ac.uk
November 27, 2024 at 12:11 PM
It's a nice day when you get back a review of a submitted manuscript and one reviewer says my analyses were "exemplary"! 😀 btw, I love to help others learn about data analyses: here are some resources I created, but there's more there... www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/on...
Reposted by Oliver Perra
Intense investor interest on Sardinia — a prime location for renewable energy due to its long summers and strong winds — has spooked locals who say the Italian island is being exploited. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/11/18/markets/renewables-sardinia-italy-coal/?utm_medium=Social&utm_s…
Locals revolt against renewables in Italy's coal-fired island, Sardinia
The island a prime location for wind and solar power but intense investor interest has spooked locals who say Sardinia is being exploited.
buff.ly
November 18, 2024 at 10:17 PM
Intense investor interest on Sardinia — a prime location for renewable energy due to its long summers and strong winds — has spooked locals who say the Italian island is being exploited. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/11/18/markets/renewables-sardinia-italy-coal/?utm_medium=Social&utm_s…