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Future focused local experts
A nationwide lecture series hosted by the Branches of Royal Society Te Apārangi, which demonstrates the range of research being carried out throughout Aotearoa.
As one part of our many 150th anniversary activities, our ten local Branches proudly present a series of regional lectures that showcase the wealth and breadth of research being carried out throughout New Zealand. Each talk will include a presentation and video celebrating our past and looking to the future, led by Professor Richard Bedford QSO FRSNZ, President of Royal Society Te Apārangi.
The array of topics in this series demonstrates what a vibrant research community we have. From exploring the issues of human heat stress due to rising temperatures and humidity in response to climate change, to the scope of coastal marine life testing to gain greater insights into environmental change. From the golden age of astronomy and our role in radio astronomy, to powerful computing in pursuit of understanding evolution and biology.
We will take a look at future food, and consider developments in pest management for pipfruit crops, and have a trans-disciplinary discussion on the significance of art and creativity for the response and recovery phases of major disaster events. We will hear about issues of social license with the rapid growth of new life science technologies; gene editing to improve the national dairy herd, and the dramatic impact of imminent Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology on society. It is a broad and intriguing collection of research we can be proud of.
These events are free, but a donation to support the activities of your Branch will be gratefully accepted.
150th Anniversary Regional Lectures (by date)
Nelson Science Society (Nelson Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi)
Professor David Briggs | Professor Tord Kjellstrom | Dr Bruno Lemke
Ruby Coast Research Centre
Global consequences of increased heat stress due to climate change
The Suter Theatre | 5:30pm Wednesday 7 June | Register for Nelson
Waikato Branch of the Royal Society Te Apārangi
Dr Jeremy Bryant
DairyNZ
Making good genes better - genetic improvement of dairy cattle
Events Room 1, Gallagher Hub, Wintec City Campus | 12pm Monday 10 July | Register for Waikato
Royal Society Te Apārangi Rotorua Branch
Professor Sergei Gulyaev
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Radio Astronomy from New Zealand perspectives
Lido Lounge, Blue Baths | 6pm Monday 10 July | Register for Rotorua
Royal Society Te Apārangi Manawatu Branch
Professor Matt Golding
Massey Institute of Food Science and Technology
Future foods
Globe One, Globe Theatre, Palmerston North | 6pm Tuesday 18 July | Register for Manawatu
Hawke’s Bay Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi
Dr Jim Walker
Plant & Food Research
The past, present and future of integrated pest management in New Zealand fruit crops
Havelock North Function Centre | 5.30pm Wednesday 19 July | Register for Hawke's Bay
Royal Society Te Apārangi Wellington Branch
Sir Peter Gluckman
Chief Science Advisor to the New Zealand Prime Minister
New life science technologies and social license
Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Tongarewa | 6pm Wednesday 2 August | Details to come
Royal Society Te Apārangi Canterbury Branch
Responding to Earthquakes - future perspectives
Dr Roy Montgomery | Trudi Cameron Agnew
Lincoln University
(1) Send in the Clowns: Preparing for Institutional Panic after a Disaster Event
Dr Barbara Garrie | Rosie Ibbotson
University of Canterbury
(2) Things Change: Art and Material Culture in Post-quake Christchurch
Rolleston Theatre, University of Otago Christchurch | 6.30pm Wednesday 2 August | Register for Canterbury
Otago Institute for the Arts & Sciences (Otago Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi)
Professor Steve Wing
University of Otago
Our changing oceans: how animals bring us messages from the sea
Hutton, Theatre, Otago Museum | 5:30pm Friday 4 August | Register for Otago
Wanaka Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi
Associate Professor Alistair Knott
University of Otago
How should society prepare for advances in Artificial Intelligence?
Wanaka Presbyterian Community Church Centre | 6pm Friday 4 August | Register for Wanaka
$5 Door Charge
Auckland Museum Institute (Auckland Branch of Royal Society Te Apārangi)
Professor Alexei Drummond
University of Auckland
Can we solve biology’s greatest riddles with computers?
Auditorium, Auckland Museum | 6pm Thursday 17 August | Register for Auckland
The Branches of Royal Society Te Apārangi are strong active societies, with their own local programmes of lectures, meetings and events, but are distinct, separate regional organisations with close links with the Society. To find out more about getting involved or supporting your local branch, please head here.