About this Event
Professor Poulton and Professor Thomson will present a talk on the Dunedin Study - touted as the world's most successful longitudinal study.
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Study (The Dunedin Study for short) – touted as the world’s most successful longitudinal study of a general community was awarded the prestigious Royal Society Te Apārangi Rutherford Medal in 2022.
The Dunedin Study has followed a cohort of over 1,000 people born in New Zealand during 1972-1973 for 50 years since birth, making them arguably the most studied group of human beings in history. The Study is renowned for its significant discipline-specific contributions to mental, oral, respiratory, cardiovascular, and sexual health as well as social and behavioural research. This work is of enormous social importance and spurs new research.
Distinguished Professor Richie Poulton FRSNZ and Professor Murray Thomson FRSNZ from the University of Otago will speak on how the Study began, the assessments they have conducted, and the fascinating and important findings which have emerged.
About Distinguished Professor Richie Poulton
After completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology and Masters Degree in Science from the University of Otago, Richie worked as a clinical psychologist before embarking on a PhD. He was awarded a PhD in Psychiatry from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. In the same year he took up the position of Deputy Director of the Dunedin Study until 1 January 2000, when he became Director.
In 2006 he was made Research Professor and awarded a Personal Chair by the University of Otago in the Dunedin School of Medicine. He has served on many New Zealand government, public and academic statutory bodies, and is a consultant internationally. In 2014, Richie was appointed as inaugural Chief Science Advisor to the Ministry of Social Development and in 2018 Chief Science Advisor, Minister for Child Poverty Reduction.
Richie has been awarded numerous awards and medals including being elected as a Fellow of Royal Society Te Apārangi and winning the Prime Minister’s Science Prize in 2016. He has published 350 peer reviewed scientific papers, with many appearing in leading international journals, and he maintains numerous international research collaborations.
About Professor Murray Thomson
Murray Thomson FRSNZ is a researcher in dental epidemiology and health services who has made important and sustained contributions to knowledge in a number of fields over the last three decades. His work in the renowned Dunedin Study has enhanced understanding of oral health throughout life. He is an expert on the oral condition ‘dry mouth’ and has developed measures which are being widely used in clinical practice and research.
Professor Thomson has also made important contributions to understanding the oral health of the ageing population and of the effectiveness of dental care in improving the lives of children and their families. Murray’s national oral health survey work in Australasia has been internationally influential. He has also provided many years of service as an Editor-in-Chief for international scientific journals.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Auditorium, Auckland Museum, The Domain, Auckland, New Zealand