University expands winter symposium

THE University of Otago is partnering with Radio New Zealand this year for its expanded winter symposium series, which is travelling to Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Invercargill and Christchurch.

University external engagement deputy vicechancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said topics were related to something of relevance to the local area — from tourism to regional healthcare and international politics.

‘‘The Winter Symposium Series is an opportunity for the university to connect with communities and in a practical way highlight how the research of our academic staff is relevant to the people of New Zealand,’’ she said on Tuesday.

‘‘Together with the extra meetings, it is the first year that the University of Otago has entered into a partnership with Radio New Zealand, with the broadcaster recording both the launch in Wellington and the finale in Auckland.’’

Journalist and presenter Guyon Espiner will lead panels in Wellington, Auckland and Queenstown.

In Invercargill, experts will discuss the sustainability of tourism in New Zealand, and the panel will feature zoologist Prof Liz Slooten, who has been involved in research involving tourism and marine animals.

In Wellington, the topic is ‘‘New Zealand and the world: past, present, and future’’ and the panel will include international political affairs analyst Robert Patman, and experts on indigenous studies.

Mental health will be discussed in Christchurch, the future of regional healthcare in Queenstown, and the changing face of advertising, and its impact is the topic in Auckland.

The series begins in Wellington on June 13, and symposiums will be in Invercargill on June 21, Queenstown on July 5, Christchurch on July 19 and the last in Auckland on August 2.