Politics Our People, Politics, University of Otago, New Zealand

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.

For a complete listing of staff phone and email contacts please visit the University of Otago phone book.

Head of Politics

Associate Professor Brian Roper
New Zealand politics, political economy, social inequality, gender and feminism, Marxism, history and theories of democracy

Academic staff

	Professor Lisa Ellis Political Theory PhPE Director
	Dr Leon Goldsmith Middle Eastern and Comparative Politics
	Professor Janine Hayward New Zealand politics, Treaty of Waitangi, environmental politics, local government, electoral systems and reform, constitutional politics Kaiāwhina Māori
	Associate Professor James Headley Russian foreign policy, the European Union, nationalism and ethnic conflict, International Relations theory MPols Convenor (2019) Course Adviser
	Associate Professor Nicholas Khoo China's foreign and security policy, international relations of Asia, International Relations theory, strategic studies, Cold War history Student Exchange Adviser
	Professor Philip Nel The political economy of inequality, corruption and development, foreign policies of emerging powers, ethics and international relations PhD Co-ordinator
	Professor Robert Patman US foreign policy, international relations, global security, great powers and the Horn of Africa MIntSt Director International student contact
	Dr Chris Rudd Politics of the media MPols Convenor (2020) HUMS301 contact
	Associate Professor Vicki Spencer Contemporary political theory, multiculturalism, toleration, the politics of recognition, humility, comparative political theory, feminist theory, History of Ideas including J. G. Herder, the Enlightenment, John Locke
	Dr Lena Tan Postcolonialism, International Relations theory, constructivism, identity, Indonesia, US foreign policy MA Admissions Dip Grad contact

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Emeritus Professor

	Professor Jim Flynn Emeritus Professor, Joint Department of Psychology
	Professor William Harris Politics and history of the Levant states and Turkey, Middle East comparative and international politics

Honorary staff

Dr Najibullah Lafraie

General staff

Justine Marshall
Client Services Administrator