Public lecture series

Follow our cutting-edge research and learn more about topical issues through the University's public lecture series.

Watch or listen to lecture recordings

Catch up on our public lecture series with the following selection of recordings.

Three people in academic robes stand in front of a wooden panelled door. — Enzymes I have known and loved

Professor Wayne Patrick shares insights from biochemistry and evolution, arguing enzymes should be New Zealand’s top high-value export.

Three men dressed in academic regalia stand in front of a staircase in a wood-paneled hall. — Of wise decisions, government accountability and a small-ish democracy

Professor Dean Knight's inaugural lecture examines governmental decision-making.

Four academics, standing behind two computer screens reading Psychology Spring Panel — Psychology Spring Series—Fresh perspectives on wellbeing

Three researchers from different areas of the University discuss their fresh perspectives on wellbeing.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori webinars 2024

Join us in celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2024. Our Te Herenga Waka kaimahi are sharing their expertise and knowledge to celebrate te reo Māori.

Three men standing on the stairs in the Hunter building — Complexity beyond pure reason—A quest to understand universal laws of change

Professor Markus Luczak-Roesch's inaugural lecture explores the complexity of change.

A group of academics seated on stools in a row, engaged in a panel discussion. — Te Herenga Waka collaborative debate—AI in the academy

AI in academia sparks debate at Victoria University of Wellington, exploring its impact, challenges, and ethical implications. Join the critical conversation.

Sarah Ross, flanked by two other academics, dressed in gowns at her inaugural lecture. — Pretty creatures? Women and poetry in the early modern world

Professor Sarah Ross reflects on a career recuperating the poetry of early modern women.

Three people wearing academic robes posing in front of a large polished wooden door. — Shrinking ice and shifting shores—Connecting change in Antarctica to impact in Aotearoa

Professor Levy's inaugural lecture decodes Antarctic ice sheet changes affecting global sea levels, linking southern research to vital sea level science.

Rebecca Priestley, dressed in academic robes, with Nic Smith and another academic at her inaugural lecture. — End times—writing about climate change, nukes and existential angst

Professor Rebecca Priestley talks about the issues, like climate change, nukes, and existential angst, that keep her up at night.

Three professionally dressed academics standing in front of a photo featuring a serene lake scene, with a man engrossed in reading a book by the lakeside. — She has to...make her own mathematics

Discover the intriguing world of mathematics with Professor Lisa Orloff Clark as she delves into infinity, symmetry, and her journey as a mathematician.

Nikki Hessell, flanked by Nic Smith and Sarah Leggott. All three are wearing academic robes and standing in front of a large wooden door. — Reading romantic poetry as one of Cook’s people

Professor Hessell discusses how the poetry of William Wordsworth can help us understand the intellectual worlds of early Pākehā settlers

Two professionally dressed academics with gowns standing in front of a piece of artwork. — How to melt an ice sheet

Professor McKay explores Earth's history to understand how rising CO2 levels impact Antarctica's ice sheets, shedding light on future.

Three professionally dressed academics standing in front of a photo featuring a serene lake scene, with a man engrossed in reading a book by the lakeside. — Te Ahi Tupua, an exploration of Māori pattern geometry through computation

In his inaugural lecture, Professor Derek Kawiti delves into the realm of Māori geometry, unveiling the power of Te Ahi Tupua sculpture.

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori webinars 2023

Celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2023 by learning about te reo Māori from our very own Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington staff.

Three professionally dressed academics standing in front of a wooden staircase. — Reimagining the law of the sea—evolution or revolution

Professor Joanna Mossop asks whether changes to regulate ocean activities more sustainably can be achieved through evolution of the law.

Three academics standing in a line — Tuatara time—from sex determination to faecal matters

Professor Nicky Nelson presents research case studies into the biology of tuatara.

Three academics standing in front of a wood-paneled wall. — Myth-busting management ideas

Professor Todd Bridgman explains why he’s spent the past 15 years myth-busting management.

Professor Nancy Bertler, flanked by two other academics, at her inaugural lecture — Antarctica’s response to a warming world—living in the age of consequences

Professor Nancy Bertler discusses how Antarctica’s ice sheets revealed critical insights into our future and why the response is a matter of urgency for us all.

Professor Paul Teesdale-Spittle, flanked by two other staff members, at his inaugural lecture — Bringing molecules to life

In his inaugural lecture, Professor Paul Teesdale-Spittle discusses how life depends on complex interactions.

Maria Bargh, flanked by two other academics at her inaugural lecture — Māori politics—tradition, activism, and shared authority

In her inaugural lecture, Professor Maria Bargh discusses tradition, activism, and shared authority in Māori politics.

Nicholas Golledge, dressed in a suit, flanked by two other suited men on the evening of his inaugural lecture — Earth, life, and climate—in search of nature's 'invisible hand'

Professor Nicholas Golledge discusses our world's processes of self-organisation.

Head and shoulders portrait of Professor Ehsan Mesbahi, Professor Nicholas Long, and Professor Nic Smith dressed in academic robes. — Superconductivity—enabling breakthroughs in medicine, energy, and aerospace

Professor Nicholas Long discusses how superconducting materials are being used to address some of the world’s most challenging problems.

Professor Karl Lofgren, flanked by two other staff members, at his inaugural lecture — Public administration—innovations, policy, and people

Professor Karl Löfgren's research focuses on public administration. He shares his academic experiences based on three themes—innovations, policy, and people.

Nic Smith, Stephen Marshall and Wendy Larner standing together in academic dress — A public university for the 21st century—Generational change and the common good

In his inaugural lecture, Professor Stephen Marshall reflects on the future of the university in New Zealand.

Three people in academic garb pose in front of a polished wood panel wall. — Out on the town—music on the streets of colonial New Zealand

In her inaugural lecture, Professor Samantha Owens explores the music-making around the turn of the 20th century.

More lecture recordings

For more recordings of lectures on topical issues, see our previous events and spotlight events series.

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