The Otago Energy Research Centre brings together researchers with a common interest in the transition of New Zealand’s energy system to one which is efficient, secure, sustainable, and carbon neutral. A key strength is the diversity of its researchers from all four Divisions of Otago University. We have over 250 people on our events mailing list, spanning Otago staff, students and the wider community.
Below are our Steering Group Members and Principal Investigators.
If you wish to join our network or have a question about OERC please email oercadmin@otago.ac.nz.
Co-Directors
Sean Connelly
Sean is Co-Director of OERC. He is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography. Community response to sustainability challenges is a recurring theme in his teaching and research. He is a member of Our Food Network, whose mission is to stimulate the production, distribution and consumption of local food and in that way contributes to the building of a resilient and prosperous community.
Sean writes a regular column “Seeds for Change” in the Otago Daily Times on food and sustainability.
Tel +64 3 479 8771
Email sean.connelly@otago.ac.nz
Michael Jack
Michael is Co- Director of OERC. He is an Associate Professor in Physics and is Director of the Otago Energy Studies Programme.
His research focus is on fundamental and applied research into a wide range of sustainable energy areas.
He specialises in applying methods from theoretical physics to renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
Tel +64 3 479 7753
Email michael.jack@otago.ac.nz
OERC Steering Group
| Title | Name | Surname | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr | Craig | Cliff | Sustainability Office |
| Dr | Sean | Connelly | Geography |
| Associate Professor | Jeremiah | Deng | Information Science |
| Professor | Julian | Eaton-Rye | Biochemistry |
| Professor | David | Eyers | Computer Science |
| Dr | Sebastian | Gehricke | Accounting & Finance |
| Professor | Keith | Gordon | Chemistry |
| Associate Professor | Michael | Jack | Physics |
| Dr | Sam | Lowrey | Physics |
| Dr | Mike | Palin | Geology |
| Dr | Rita | Przybilski | Research & Enterprise |
| Dr | Jen | Purdie | Centre for Sustainability |
| Dr | Inga | Smith | Physics |
| Professor | Janet | Stephenson | Centre for Sustainability |
| Associate Professor | Zhifa | Sun | Physics |
| Mrs | Helen | Viggers | Public Health |
| Associate Professor | Sara | Walton | Management |
OERC Principal Investigators and Faculty
In order of Division, then Department, then Surname
Commerce
| Title | Name | Surname | Department | OERC Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor | Ivan | Diaz-Rainey | Accounting and Finance | |
| Professor | David | Lont | Accounting and Finance | |
| Dr | Paul | Thorsnes | Economics | |
| Professor | Stephen | Cranefield | Information Science | |
| Associate Professor | Jeremiah | Deng | Information Science | Steering Group |
| Emeritus Professor | Martin | Purvis | Information Science | |
| Dr | Maryam | Purvis | Information Science | |
| Associate Professor | Sara | Walton | Management | Steering Group |
Health Sciences
| Title | Name | Surname | Department | OERC Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | Julian | Eaton-Rye | Biochemistry | Steering Group |
| Mrs | Helen | Viggers | Public Health | Steering Group |
| Dr | Alex | MacMillan | Preventive & Social Medicine |
Humanities
| Title | Name | Surname | Department | OERC Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | Janet | Stephenson | Centre for Sustainability | OERC Founder / Steering Group |
| Dr | Sean | Connelly | Geography | Co-Director |
Science
| Title | Name | Surname | Department | OERC Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | Sally | Brooker | Chemistry | |
| Dr | Anna | Garden | Chemistry | |
| Professor | Keith | Gordon | Chemistry | Steering Group |
| Associate Professor | David | Eyers | Computer Science | Steering Group |
| Associate Professor | Andrew | Trotman | Computer Science | |
| Professor | Miranda | Mirosa | Food Science | |
| Associate Professor | Virginia | Toy | Geology | |
| Associate Professor | Sandra | Mandic | Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences | |
| Emeritus Professor | Gerry | Carrington | Physics & Centre for Sustainability | OERC Founder |
| Associate Professor | Michael | Jack | Physics | Co-Director |
| Dr | Sam | Lowrey | Physics | Steering Group |
| Dr | Inga | Smith | Physics | Steering Group |
| Associate Professor | Zhifa | Sun | Physics | Steering Group |
| Associate Professor | Sarah | Wakes | Mathematics |
For administrative matters and event coordination
Email oercadmin@otago.ac.nz
