Our people

The Politics Programme is a vibrant community of experts from many different countries who take students and students' interests seriously. Our staff are all experts in their fields, and all are actively engaged in research which enriches their teaching.

Politics staff will respond to emails only during business hours Monday–Friday.

Find staff contacts details on the University of Otago phonebook (requires staff login)

Head of Politics

Associate Professor James Headley

Russian foreign policy, the European Union, nationalism and ethnic conflict, International Relations theory
Course Adviser

Academic staff

Professor Janine Hayward

New Zealand politics, Treaty of Waitangi, local government, electoral systems and reform, constitutional politics
Course Adviser
MPols Convener

Dr David Jenkins

Political theory
Course Adviser

Associate Professor Nicholas Khoo

China's foreign and security policy, international relations of Asia, International Relations theory, strategic studies, Cold War history

Professor Robert Patman

US foreign policy, international relations, global security, great powers and the Horn of Africa
MIntSt Director

Associate Professor Brian Roper

New Zealand politics, political economy, social inequality, gender and feminism, Marxism, history and theories of democracy
PhD / MA / DipGrad Co-ordinator
International Student Exchange Adviser