Speakers

ScienceTeller organisers are delighted to announce the keynote speakers:

Dr Rod Carr

Chair-designate for the Climate Change

Dr Carr has extensive experience in both public and private sector governance and leadership. He served as Chair and non-executive director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and served as Deputy Governor and for a time Acting Governor of the Bank.

Dr Carr was the founding Chair of the National Infrastructure Advisory Board and for over a decade was a non-executive director of the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce.

He led the University of Canterbury as Vice Chancellor for ten years, and holds a PhD in Insurance and Risk Management, an MA in Applied Economics and Managerial Science, an MBA in Money and Finance and honours degrees in law and economics.

Thursday 8 July 2:30pm and 3:00pm for panel discussion

Ciara Foley

Climate activist

Ciara is a 17 year grassroots environmental activist, and passionate philosophy student from Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

Thursay 8 July 3:00pm for panel discussion

Aaron Hawkins

Mayor of Dunedin

Aaron Hawkins is currently serving in his first term as Mayor of Dunedin, after six years as a Dunedin City Councillor. During his time in local government he has focused on supporting social and environmental wellbeing outcomes, areas where both the challenges and solutions are intrinsically linked.

Mayor Hawkins believes strongly in the role of sub-national governments in addressing the challenges of climate change and social cohesion, and leads a council that sees itself as outward looking and internationally connected.

This expresses itself in many different ways, whether it’s the UNESCO Creative Cities network, of which Dunedin is a City of Literature; Sister Cities relationships in Scotland, China and Japan; active involvement in the international ICLEI network; newer projects like the Centre for Digital Excellence, building a world class video game industry in the city; or indeed long running initiatives like this one, here at the University of Otago.

Thursday 8 July 3:00pm for panel discussion