Applications Open for One of New Zealand’s Leading Academic Prizes
The NZ-UK Link Foundation is now seeking applicants for its Visiting Professorship 2013. The educational charity funds
this award to promote cultural links between New Zealand and the UK with a series of talks (four lectures, one in London
and three in other venues) and events through a secondment to the School of Advanced Studies (SAS) in the University of
London) over a three-month period in the Spring or Autumn 2013.
The NZ-UK Link Foundation aims to make a ‘continuing and substantial contribution to the intellectual, educational,
vocational and academic underpinning of the bilateral relationship between New Zealand and the UK in a changing world’.
As a result, the Foundation supported the establishment of the Visiting Professorship programme.
The first Visiting Professorship in October 2010 was awarded to Professor Margaret Wilson of Waikato University, the
former Attorney General, Cabinet Minister and Speaker of the House of Representatives. In her lectures and seminars she
reviewed New Zealand’s experience of MMP and the establishment of a Supreme Court as the UK prepared for its referendum
on proportional representation.
In 2011, the award was made to Professor Jonathan Gardner Professor of Marine Biology at Victoria University. An
acknowledged expert on the establishment and management of Marine Reserves, he was able to compare New Zealand’s
substantial experience and success in this crucial aspect of environmental policy with his peers in the UK as they
consider Great Britain’s policy development.
Sir Graeme Davies, Chairman of The Trustees said “We are seeking applications from any New Zealand academic who can
bring their experience to bear on any important issue of policy where the UK and New Zealand will benefit from an
exchange of views and the establishment of a fruitful dialogue. Our two previous Professors had great success in leading
the critical comparison of thinking in their respective areas of expertise and we are looking to build on this
foundation.”
Applications must be submitted by 31 July 2012 to the Chairman, NZ-UK Link Foundation c/o New Zealand House, Haymarket,
London SW1Y 4TQ
Notes for Editors
The NZ-UK Link Foundation
The NZ-UK Link Foundation was established in 1991 as a registered charity whose objectives were ‘the advancement of
education for the benefits of the public in the UK and New Zealand’. Briefly, this was to be achieved through the
establishment of scholarships and exchange schemes for individuals to study and teach aspects of the economic, social,
cultural, and scientific history of both countries and the inter-relationships between them.
For further information see http://www.nzuklinkfoundation.org/
Location of Visiting Professorship Programme
The School of Advanced Study is at the hub of the University’s collaborative academic activities. It unites ten
prestigious institutes and is a national research resource of outstanding reputation for academics and postgraduates.
Its specialist schools include the Institute for Commonwealth Studies, the Institute of Historical Research and the
Warburg Institute. This gives Visiting Professors access to extensive research facilities and appropriate academic
specialists as required. In addition, the SAS and the University provide practical and logistical support to the VP.
For further information see www.sas.ac.uk