The current series of Inaugural Professorial Lectures was established in 1996 with the broad aim of promoting and celebrating the academic reputation of professorial staff.
The series makes an important contribution to the University's role within the wider community by providing a public forum for leading research and enhancing Otago's statutory role as critic and conscience of society.
Visit the events calendar for detailed information about upcoming Inaugural Professorial Lectures, including livestream links.
2026 Inaugural Professorial Lectures
| Professor | Lecture details |
|---|---|
| Melanie Beres Humanities Divisional Office |
Tuesday, 3 March 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Elaine Hargreaves School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science |
Wednesday, 4 March 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Alesha Smith School of Pharmacy |
Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Michael Jack Department of Physics |
Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Anna High Faculty of Law |
Tuesday, 28 April 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Katherine Black Department of Human Nutrition |
Thursday, 30 April 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Louise Bicknell Department of Biochemistry |
Wednesday, 6 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Hugh Morrison College of Education |
Thursday, 7 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Gabrielle Davie Department of Public Health |
Thursday, 14 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Liz Ledgerwood Department of Biochemistry |
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| John Stenhouse History Programme |
Thursday, 21 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Phillip Wilcox Department of Mathematics and Statistics |
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Anaru Eketone Community and Social Work |
Thursday, 28 May 2026, 5:30pm Burns 1 Lecture Theatre |
| Philip Bird Department of Surgery and Critical Care (Christchurch) | Tuesday, 22 June 2026, 5:30pm Rolleston Theatre, Christchurch |
| Jeremiah Deng School of Computing |
Tuesday, 21 July 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Dawn Coates Faculty of Dentistry |
Wednesday, 22 July 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Marcelle Dawson School of Social Sciences |
Thursday, 10 September 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Inga Smith Department of Physics |
Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 5:30pm TBA |
| Lara Friedlander Department of Oral Rehabilitation |
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Jane Girling Department of Anatomy |
Wednesday, 23 September 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Sophie Bond School of Geography |
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Caroline Orchiston School of Geography |
Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 5.30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Trudy Sullivan Faculty of Medicine – Dunedin |
Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Matthew Schofield Department of Mathematics and Statistics |
Thursday, 15 October 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Anna Carr Department of Tourism |
Wednesday, 18 November 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Ting Wang Department of Mathematics and Statistics |
Thursday, 19 November 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Peter Mei Department of Oral Sciences |
Wednesday, 25 November 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Haizal Mohd Hussaini Department of Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences |
Thursday, 26 November 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |
| Tim Hore Department of Anatomy |
Thursday, 3 December 2026, 5:30pm Burns 2 Lecture Theatre |