Humanities Lectures

Professor Jon Hall, Classics, gives the graduation address at the Arts, Music and Theology graduation ceremony on 14 December 2016.

A Public Lecture with Rev. Peter Harris, Anglican Minister, Conservationist, and Co-Founder of Christian Conservation Organisation A Rocha. 24 November 2016

A Public Lecture with Rev. Peter Harris, Anglican Minister, Conservationist, and Co-Founder of Christian Conservation Organisation A Rocha. 24 November 2016

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit addresses the World Council of Churches Central Committee's recent ‘Statement on Religion and Violence' (28 June 2016), which addresses the persistence and spread of extremist violence in the world, and its ambiguous connections with religion. 7 October 2016.

Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit addresses the World Council of Churches Central Committee's recent ‘Statement on Religion and Violence' (28 June 2016), which addresses the persistence and spread of extremist violence in the world, and its ambiguous connections with religion. 7 October 2016.

Professor Kevin Clements delivers the 2016 Archibald Baxter Memorial Lecture. 28 September 2016

Professor Kevin Clements delivers the 2016 Archibald Baxter Memorial Lecture. 28 September 2016

As an environmental planner, Claire Freeman's research focuses on the intersection of the natural and built environment. She examines how environmental relationships can be enhanced through more effective planning policy, design and practice. In particular, she looks at how planning can help create urban environments that work better for children and young people, and for nature. It links across three major disciplinary fields; the social sciences, biological science and planning. Some current and recent projects she is involved with are: “Natural neighbourhoods for city children”, a Marsden-funded study exploring how children in Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington connect with nature in their daily lives; “the Dunedin Garden Study,” which investigates householders' relationships with native biodiversity in their gardens; “Children and young people's experiences following the Christchurch earthquake”; and a study of “Children's experiences of neighbourhood” in New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. 20 September 2016

As an environmental planner, Claire Freeman's research focuses on the intersection of the natural and built environment. She examines how environmental relationships can be enhanced through more effective planning policy, design and practice. In particular, she looks at how planning can help create urban environments that work better for children and young people, and for nature. It links across three major disciplinary fields; the social sciences, biological science and planning. Some current and recent projects she is involved with are: “Natural neighbourhoods for city children”, a Marsden-funded study exploring how children in Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington connect with nature in their daily lives; “the Dunedin Garden Study,” which investigates householders' relationships with native biodiversity in their gardens; “Children and young people's experiences following the Christchurch earthquake”; and a study of “Children's experiences of neighbourhood” in New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati. 20 September 2016

In this Inaugural Professorial Lecture, Professor Jacinta Ruru anchors her research journey within this Māori proverb to help bring alive the endurance and 'foreverness' of the Māori world in Aotearoa. Professor Ruru shares the ways in which she has sought to contribute towards challenging the law to more respectfully recognise and embrace Indigenous peoples' authority, laws, values, rights and responsibilities to own, govern and manage land and water. 12 September 2016

In this Inaugural Professorial Lecture, Professor Jacinta Ruru anchors her research journey within this Māori proverb to help bring alive the endurance and 'foreverness' of the Māori world in Aotearoa. Professor Ruru shares the ways in which she has sought to contribute towards challenging the law to more respectfully recognise and embrace Indigenous peoples' authority, laws, values, rights and responsibilities to own, govern and manage land and water. 12 September 2016

Rev Dr Doug Gay is the Stuart Residence Halls Council Distinguished Visitor for 2016. In this public lecture, he traces the outline of an ecumenical political theology incorporating the Catholic, Reformed and Anabaptist traditions of narrative, discipline and witness, with particular reference to the political and economic environment and events leading to the post 2008 economic crisis. 6 September 2016.

Rev Dr Doug Gay is the Stuart Residence Halls Council Distinguished Visitor for 2016. In this public lecture, he traces the outline of an ecumenical political theology incorporating the Catholic, Reformed and Anabaptist traditions of narrative, discipline and witness, with particular reference to the political and economic environment and events leading to the post 2008 economic crisis. 6 September 2016.

Professor Kevin Clements gives a recorded presentation to the Adam Curle Symposium held at the University of Bradford

Professor Kevin Clements gives a recorded presentation to the Adam Curle Symposium held at the University of Bradford

Imam Afroz Ali is the founder and president of Al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences & Human Development in Sydney, Australia, and an Australian Ambassador for the Charter of Compassion. He is also a founding member of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and served as managing director for SeekersHub Global. This is the 13th annual peace lecture, organised by the Otago Tertiary Chaplaincy and the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group. 24 August 2016

Imam Afroz Ali is the founder and president of Al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences & Human Development in Sydney, Australia, and an Australian Ambassador for the Charter of Compassion. He is also is a founding member of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change and served as managing director for SeekersHub Global. This is the 13th annual peace lecture, organised by the Otago Tertiary Chaplaincy and the Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group. 24 August 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job in Modern Literature'. 4 August 2016

The Faculty of Law presents this public lecture by Professor Graham Virgo, 2016 NZ Law Foundation Distinguished Visiting Fellow, 2016 FW Guest Memorial Lecturer. In 1516 Sir Thomas More published Utopia, which identifies an attractive vision of law and society. As Lord Chancellor, More helped to develop Equity as a mechanism to secure justice which was not provided through the rigid interpretation of the Common Law. From the start, the equitable jurisdiction was founded on conscience. By tracing the historical development of conscience it is possible to identify the theoretical structure which justifies and explains the equitable jurisdiction and shows how it should develop in the future.

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job in Modern Literature'. 4 August 2016

The Faculty of Law presents this public lecture by Professor Graham Virgo, 2016 NZ Law Foundation Distinguished Visiting Fellow, 2016 FW Guest Memorial Lecturer. In 1516 Sir Thomas More published 'Utopia', which identifies an attractive vision of law and society. As Lord Chancellor, More helped to develop Equity as a mechanism to secure justice which was not provided through the rigid interpretation of the Common Law. From the start, the equitable jurisdiction was founded on conscience. By tracing the historical development of conscience it is possible to identify the theoretical structure which justifies and explains the equitable jurisdiction and shows how it should develop in the future.

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job Through the Eyes of Artists'. 3 August 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job Through the Eyes of Artists'. 3 August 2016

Professor Etienne Nel of the Department of Geography, delivers his Inaugural Professorial Lecture: “Dealing with Difference: Responses to uneven geographical development”. Etienne has authored, co-authored or edited 10 books, and has written nearly 30 book chapters and more than 100 articles, primarily on economic development in Africa. 2 August 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job as a Contested Classic'. 2 August 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job as a Contested Classic'. 2 August 2016

Professor Etienne Nel of the Department of Geography, delivers his Inaugural Professorial Lecture: “Dealing with Difference: Responses to uneven geographical development”. Etienne has authored, co-authored or edited 10 books, and has written nearly 30 book chapters and more than 100 articles, primarily on economic development in Africa. 2 August 2016

This forum reflects on some of the global lessons to be learned from the Chilcot report. The report systematically and comprehensively demolishes Tony Blair and George Bush's justifications for embroiling the UK in the most disastrous war of the modern era. It also raises some fundamental questions about international criminal accountability for acts of aggression and wider questions about where the responsibility for war should lie in Westminster-style democracies. The panel includes Professor Robert Patman (Politics), Associate Professor Lisa Ellis (Philosophy) and Mr Stephen Smith (Law), chaired by Professor Kevin Clements (NCPACS). 1 August 2016

This forum reflects on some of the global lessons to be learned from the Chilcot report. The report systematically and comprehensively demolishes Tony Blair and George Bush's justifications for embroiling the UK in the most disastrous war of the modern era. It also raises some fundamental questions about international criminal accountability for acts of aggression and wider questions about where the responsibility for war should lie in Westminster-style democracies. The panel includes Professor Robert Patman (Politics), Associate Professor Lisa Ellis (Philosophy) and Mr Stephen Smith (Law), chaired by Professor Kevin Clements (NCPACS). 1 August 2016

'My intention in this lecture is to urge critical reflection upon current US practices of targeted killing by considering, not just whether acts of targeted killing can be legally justified, but also what sort of state we are turning into when we organize the use of lethal force in this way -maintaining a list of named enemies of the state who are to be eliminated in this way.' A prolific scholar, Jeremy Waldron teaches legal and political philosophy at NYU School of Law. Until recently, he was also Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at Oxford University (All Souls College).

'My intention in this lecture is to urge critical reflection upon current US practices of targeted killing by considering, not just whether acts of targeted killing can be legally justified, but also what sort of state we are turning into when we organize the use of lethal force in this way -maintaining a list of named enemies of the state who are to be eliminated in this way.' A prolific scholar, Jeremy Waldron teaches legal and political philosophy at NYU School of Law. Until recently, he was also Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at Oxford University (All Souls College).

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Theological Conversations in Job'. 28 July 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture three of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Theological Conversations in Job'. 28 July 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture two of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'The Artistry of the (Hebrew) Book of Job'. 27 July 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture two of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'The Artistry of the (Hebrew) Book of Job'. 27 July 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture one of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job in the Cradle of World Literature'. 26 July 2016

The Department of Theology and Religion presents lecture one of the 2016 Thomas Burns Memorial Lecture series. Given by Professor Choon-Leong Seow, Vanderbilt Divinity School, this presentation covers the topic 'Job in the Cradle of World Literature'. 26 July 2016

The 2016 University of Otago Fellows: Victor Rodger (Robert Burns Fellow), Miranda Parkes (Frances Hodgkins Fellow), Chris Gendall (Mozart Fellow), val smith (Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance), and Barbara Else (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. 17 July 2016

The 2016 University of Otago Fellows: Victor Rodger (Robert Burns Fellow), Miranda Parkes (Frances Hodgkins Fellow), Chris Gendall (Mozart Fellow), val smith (Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance), and Barbara Else (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. 17 July 2016

Professor Poia Rewi of Te Tumu - School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, delivers his Inaugural Professorial Lecture, "Hoka: Motivators of Time". Professor Rewi (Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Te Arawa) works on a regional and national level in multiple areas of Te Reo promotion, teaching and research. 14 July 2016.

Professor Poia Rewi of Te Tumu - School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, delivers his Inaugural Professorial Lecture, "Hoka: Motivators of Time". Professor Rewi (Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Te Arawa) works on a regional and national level in multiple areas of Te Reo promotion, teaching and research. 14 July 2016.

Professor Roger Clark is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and of Columbia Law School in New York. He began his teaching career at Victoria in 1964 and has taught at Rutgers Law School in New Jersey since 1972. He represented Samoa at the International Court of Justice in the Advisory Proceedings on the Legality of the Use or Threat of use of Nuclear Weapons in 1995 and is currently a member of the team representing the Marshall Islands in its ICJ cases on nuclear weapons. The team has been nominated by the International Peace Bureau for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. In this conversation with Professor Kevin Clements (NCPACS), Professor Clark will discuss the influences that have determined the course of his life and career.

Professor Roger Clark is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and of Columbia Law School in New York. He began his teaching career at Victoria in 1964 and has taught at Rutgers Law School in New Jersey since 1972. He represented Samoa at the International Court of Justice in the Advisory Proceedings on the Legality of the Use or Threat of use of Nuclear Weapons in 1995 and is currently a member of the team representing the Marshall Islands in its ICJ cases on nuclear weapons. The team has been nominated by the International Peace Bureau for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. In this conversation with Professor Kevin Clements (NCPACS), Professor Clark will discuss the influences that have determined the course of his life and career.

Venerable Robina Courtin has spent much of her life working for peace in various ways, initially as a left-wing feminist activist, and later as a Buddhist nun. In conversation with Joe Llewelyn she shares some of her wealth of knowledge and experience, including her work with prisoners and teaching around the world.

Venerable Robina Courtin has spent much of her life working for peace in various ways, initially as a left-wing feminist activist, and later as a Buddhist nun. In conversation with Joe Llewelyn she shares some of her wealth of knowledge and experience, including her work with prisoners and teaching around the world.

Colin Smith, Chairman on the Pike River Families Group Committee and the Pike River 29 Legacy Trust, talks about the Pike River disaster and asks how could this happen in this day and age? Find out why the Pike River Families have fought so hard and for so long. Colin Smith is a law graduate from the University of Otago and is a partner with the Greymouth Law Firm Hannan & Seddon.

Colin Smith, Chairman on the Pike River Families Group Committee and the Pike River 29 Legacy Trust, talks about the Pike River disaster and asks how could this happen in this day and age? Find out why the Pike River Families have fought so hard and for so long. Colin Smith is a law graduate from the University of Otago and is a partner with the Greymouth Law Firm Hannan & Seddon.

Public Lecture with Professor Jonathan Boston from the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington. He discusses the role of governance in sustainability and how to move from a short term focus at a governmental level to a longer term focus.

Public Lecture with Professor Jonathan Boston from the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington. He discusses the role of governance in sustainability and how to move from a short term focus at a governmental level to a longer term focus.

Civil pecuniary penalties are an increasingly common feature of regulatory legislation such as the Commerce Act 1986 and the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. They have been both welcomed as a pragmatic “third way” between purely civil remedies and criminal charges and condemned as incompatible with human rights and the principles which underpin the criminal justice system. This lecture considers both sides of the debate and whether it is possible to reconcile the competing views. Presented by Jenny Cooper, who graduated from Otago in 1995 and now practices in Auckland as a commercial barrister with specialist expertise in company and securities law and fair trading and competition law.

Civil pecuniary penalties are an increasingly common feature of regulatory legislation such as the Commerce Act 1986 and the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. They have been both welcomed as a pragmatic “third way” between purely civil remedies and criminal charges and condemned as incompatible with human rights and the principles which underpin the criminal justice system. This lecture considers both sides of the debate and whether it is possible to reconcile the competing views. Presented by Jenny Cooper, who graduated from Otago in 1995 and now practices in Auckland as a commercial barrister with specialist expertise in company and securities law and fair trading and competition law.