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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.

Source: Royal Society Te Apārangi