Humanities Lectures

In association with the Otago University Poetry Collective and with the support of the Performing Arts Fund, poet and artist Jaap Blonk talks about his work in the context of sound poetry, improvisation, and new music. 28 February 2013

An open lecture by Sandy Lerner, founder of the Chawton House Library, entrepreneur and farmer. Writing as Ava Farmer, Sandy Lerner wrote a sequel to Jane Austen’s novel ‘Pride and Prejudice’. In this presentation she discusses the novel and reads from it. 28 February 2013

To mark Hiroshima Day, Professor Kevin Clements, Director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, and Mr Gerald Hensley CNZM, former diplomat and Head of the Prime Minister's Office under both Robert Muldoon and David Lange, debate "That New Zealand is safer out of ANZUS and nuclear free". 6 August 2013

Chaired by Professor Andrew Bradstock, the open forum with Major Campbell Roberts, Director of Social Policy, Salvation Army, Dr Jenny Te-Paa Daniel, Formerly Dean, Tikanga Maori, St John’s College Auckland; Visiting Fellow, National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Rt Rev Dr Graham Redding, Principal, Knox Centre for Ministry and Leadership, Dr David Clark MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Dunedin North, Fr Kevin Toomey OP, Editor, Tui Motu, asks a number of questions about Recovering the Common Good. Would we have anything to gain – as individuals, communities, a city, a nation – from a fresh encounter with the concept of the 'common good’? What might be involved if the common good informed our public discourse and policy thinking more in New Zealand? Can the common good help us to reflect on our priorities as individuals and a society - and what might be the practical consequences of such reflection? 24 June 2013

In association with the Otago University Poetry Collective and with the support of the Performing Arts Fund, poet and artist Jaap Blonk talks about his work in the context of sound poetry, improvisation, and new music. 28 February 2013

Laura Black (CEO, Methodist Mission), Dr Bryce Edwards (Department of Politics), Greg Fleming (CEO, The Maxim Institute) and Jolyon White (Social Justice Enabler, Anglican Diocese of Christchurch) discuss questions submitted by prospective members of the audience relating to issues of current concern. Among the issues for discussion are: surveillance; the living wage; the Michael Swann case; regional development; Christchurch's new 'cardboard' cathedral; affordable housing; and the state of the political parties. 20 August 2013

Laura Black (CEO, Methodist Mission), Dr Bryce Edwards (Department of Politics), Greg Fleming (CEO, The Maxim Institute) and Jolyon White (Social Justice Enabler, Anglican Diocese of Christchurch) discuss questions submitted by prospective members of the audience relating to issues of current concern. Among the issues for discussion are: surveillance; the living wage; the Michael Swann case; regional development; Christchurch's new 'cardboard' cathedral; affordable housing; and the state of the political parties. 20 August 2013

ME/CFS is an illness that, because of a lack of clear understanding, is still sometimes greeted with scepticism by some medical professionals and those caring for sufferers. But the WHO has classified it as a neurological disease, and the Ministry of Health recognises it as a bona fide condition here in New Zealand. What do we know about ME/CFS? How does it affect the lives of people living with it? And how should we respond to people who have it? Heather Wilson - member of the executive committee of the Associated New Zealand Myalgic Encephalopathy Society (ANZMES), and the Society's Otago and Southland Coordinator, Richie Barnett - broadcaster, sports journalist and former Kiwis rugby league captain - 'the NZ face of ME/CFS' and Professor Warren Tate CNZM - Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences discuss the attitudes towards this condition. 5 August 2013

The 2012 University of Otago Arts Fellows: Emma Neale (Robert Burns Fellow), Nick Austin (Frances Hodgkins Fellow), Robbie Ellis (Mozart Fellow), and James Norcliffe (University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence) discuss their work and aspects of the creative process. Chaired by Nicholas McBryde, the Director of the Otago Festival of the Arts and former General Manager at Fortune Theatre. 22 July 2012

The 2013 University of Otago Arts Fellows: David Howard (Robert Burns Fellow), Zina Swanson (Frances Hodgkins Fellow), Samuel Holloway (Mozart Fellow), Hahna Briggs (Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance), and Leonie Agnew (University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence) discuss their work and aspects of the creative process. Chaired by Nicholas McBryde, the Director of the Otago Festival of the Arts and former General Manager at Fortune Theatre. 14 July 2013