Red X iconGreen tick iconYellow tick icon

What is the EAG ?

The EAG (formally O-zone) was established in 2007, comprising of early to mid-career researchers recognized by either the University, or by being awarded an externally funded fellowship, as being emerging leaders in their field of research. To maintain focus on early career researchers, membership of the group is for a five-year term.

Membership of EAG is made up of:

  • Recipients of the University of Otago Early Career Award for Distinction in Research, Rowheath Trust Award and the Carl Smith Medal (past 5 years)
  • Rutherford Discovery Fellows (Royal Society Te Apārangi)
  • Sir Charles Hercus Health Research Council Fellows
  • Convenors of Divisional ECR groups
  • Other members who have been co-opted onto the group to ensure diversity in representation

What does EAG do?

The EAG has four main aims:

  1. To facilitate communication to and within early career researchers throughout the University
  2. To facilitate interdisciplinary networking and collaboration between early career researchers at the University of Otago
  3. To increase the profile and external visibility of early career researchers at the University of Otago
  4. To advocate for an environment which is conducive to the advancement of early career researchers across the University.

EAG strongly encourages early career researchers from across the University Campuses to contact convenors to highlight upcoming opportunities or events of potential interest to early and mid career researchers, raise awareness on issues they may be experiencing, or to alert the group of any assistance they might require or can provide to other early career staff.

Leadership of the EAG

The leadership of EAG is formed of two convenors, a deputy convenor Māori, and deputy convenors from each Division. These positions are rotated biannually. The EAG convenor also sits on the University of Otago Research Committee to represent early career research staff.

Dr Megan Leask

Convenor, Māori Early Career Representative
Email meagan.leask@otago.ac.nz

Dr Kimberley O'Sullivan

Convenor, Wellington Campus Representative
Email kimberley.osullivan@otago.ac.nz

Associate Professor Christina Ergler

Deputy Convenor Humanities
Email christina.ergler@otago.ac.nz

Dr Sebastian Gehricke

Deputy Convenor Commerce
Email sebastian.gehricke@otago.ac.nz

Dr Meredith Peddie

Deputy Convenor Science
Email meredith.peddie@otago.ac.nz

Dr Jane Taafaki

Deputy Convenor Pacific
Email jane.taafaki@otago.ac.nz

Dr Elisabeth Phillips

Deputy Convenor Christchurch Campus
Email elisabeth.phillips@otago.ac.nz

EAG members

Email addresses:

EAG resources

EAG represents, supports and advocates for earlier career researchers at the University of Otago.

The group maintain an email list of early and mid career researchers; if you are an early or mid career researcher who is not on this list, please email ecr@otago.ac.nz.

The EAG also supports and communicates with Divisional Early Career Research Groups

Back to top