University announces 33 positions

Vice-chancellor Prof Sir David Skegg yesterday named 11 professors and 21 associate professors whose promotions will take effect from February next year.

The professors are Robert Aldred (mathematics and statistics); Tony Ballantyne (history); Margaret Baird (microbiology and immunology); Ewan Fordyce (geology); Andrew Geddis (law); Murray Rae (theology and religion); Sarah Romans (psychological medicine, Wellington); Richard Walter (anthropology, gender and sociology); Vernon Ward (microbiology and immunology) Mark Weatherall (department of medicine, Wellington) and Elisabeth Wells, who becomes a research professor (public health and general practice, Christchurch).

Candidates for professorships underwent a "very rigorous" selection process which included advice from international experts, Prof Skegg said in a statement.

"The success of these candidates reflects their exceptional and sustained contributions as leaders in their fields of research and teaching."

The associate professors are Randall Allardyce (surgery, Christchurch), Margaret Briggs (law), Annabel Cooper (anthropology, gender and sociology), John Dockerty (preventive and social medicine), Steven Kerr (pharmacology and toxicology), Alexander McLellan (microbiology and immunology), Alister Neill (medicine, Wellington), Wendy Parkins (English), Charles Pigden (philosophy), Michael Robertson (law), Craig Rodger (physics), Nancy Tayles (anatomy and structural biology), Maree Thyne (marketing), Darryl Tong (oral diagnostic and surgical sciences), Sarah Wakes (design studies), Lisa Warrington (theatre studies) and Esko Wiltshire (paediatrics and child health, Wellington).

Nicola Austin (paediatrics, Christchurch) has become a clinical associate professor.

Stephen Moratti (chemistry), Robert Siebers (medicine, Wellington) and Rachael Taylor (medical and surgical sciences) are research associate professors.