Keynote Presentation: Prof Dame Juliet Gerrard, The University of Auckland
| Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| 9:00 - 9:45 |
| Lecture Theatre 3 |
Speaker
Prof Dame Juliet A. Gerrard DNZM, HonFRSC
The University of Auckland
A front row seat: lessons learned at the intersection of science, policy, and politics
Abstract
Juliet served as the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor to three Prime Ministers during a tumultuous six years. She provided science advice on a broad range of topics, including plastics, cannabis, AI in healthcare, and food waste. She also had a front row seat during three emergencies - the Christchurch mosque shooting, the volcanic eruption of Whakaari | White Island, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She will reflect on the critical role of trusted relationships, lessons learned during this time, and how these might support science advice in the challenging times ahead.
Biography
Dame Juliet Gerrard trained at Oxford and moved to New Zealand in 1993. Her research career has been broad and interdisciplinary, centred on protein science. She is currently a professor at the University of Auckland (based across the Faculties of Science and Engineering). From 2018-2024 Juliet served as the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor to three Prime Ministers (Jacinda Ardern, Chris Hipkins, Chris Luxon) during a tumultuous time. She provided science advice on a broad range of topics, including plastics, cannabis, AI in healthcare, and food waste. She also had a front row seat during three emergencies - the Christchurch mosque shooting, the volcanic eruption of Whakaari | White Island, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
