The University of Otago has promoted 26 of its academics to the position of professor, and a further six have been promoted to the positions of research professor and clinical research professor.
They are Alesha Smith (pharmacy), Anaru Eketone (social and community work), Anna Carr (tourism), Anna High (law), Arlene McDowell (pharmacy), Caroline Orchiston (geography research), Dawn Coates (Sir John Walsh Research Institute), Deborah Snell (orthopaedic surgery and musculoskeletal medicine research), Elaine Hargreaves (physical education, sport and exercise sciences), Gabrielle Davie (public health research), Haizal Mohd Hussaini (oral diagnostic and surgical sciences), Hugh Morrison (education), Inga Smith (physics), Jane Girling (anatomy), Jeremiah Deng (computing), John Stenhouse (history), Katherine Black (human nutrition), Lara Friedlander (oral rehabilitation), Liz Ledgerwood (biochemistry), Louise Bicknell (biochemistry), Marcelle Dawson (sociology, gender studies and criminology), Martin de Bock (paediatrics and child health), Melanie Beres (sociology, gender studies and criminology), Michael Jack (physics), Peter Mei (oral sciences), Phil Bird (surgery and critical care clinical professor), Phillip Wilcox (mathematics and statistics), Sophie Bond (geography), Tim Hore (anatomy), Ting Wang (mathematics and statistics), Tristram Ingham (medicine research) and Trudy Sullivan (public health).
A further 33 academics are being promoted to associate professor, another to research associate professor, and one to clinical associate professor.
Otago’s academics are promoted following a process involving thorough evaluation of their record of contributions to research, teaching and service to the university and community.
It also involves input from international experts in evaluating the candidates’ research contributions.
Vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said their success reflected their absolute commitment to their respective fields and the hard work they had put in over many years.
"We know each of them is making an impact in Aotearoa, and beyond, and I have no doubt they will continue to do so."
The promotions take effect from February 1, 2026.
