University of Otago Magazine 45October 2017
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UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO MAGAZINE 45OCTOBER 2017 INSIDE How are we ageing? Professor Richie Poulton and the Dunedin Study Global migrations: myths and misunderstandings Photonic Innovations’ success Tourism and value University of Otago Magazine A magazine for alumni and friends of the University of Otago Issue 45 OCTOBER 2017 ISSN - 1175-8147 Editor Karen Hogg Designer Peter Scott Writers Ian Dougherty Juergen Gnoth Claire Grant Laura Hewson Karen Hogg The Sam Stevens Nic Still Rebecca Tansley University of Otago Fleur Templeton Kim Thomas Mark Wright Magazine Nigel Zega Photographers Sharron Bennett has its Alan Dove Luke Pilkington-Ching George Wallace own website Graham Warman Cover Professor Richie Poulton Photo: Alan Dove Printing PMP Print Circulation Development and Alumni Relations Office otago.ac.nz/otagomagazine Email [email protected] • To update or change delivery address • To read the Magazine and other alumni communications electronically • To receive just one “household” postal copy of the Magazine Tel 64 3 479 4516 Editorial contact details University of Otago Magazine Communications Office: External Engagement PO Box 56 Dunedin 9054 New Zealand Tel 64 3 479 8679 If you would prefer to read Email [email protected] the magazine online Web otago.ac.nz/otagomagazine and no longer receive a hard copy, Copyright please email You are welcome to reproduce material from the magazine after gaining permission from the editor. All reproduced material must be appropriately acknowledged. [email protected] The University of Otago Magazine is published by the External Engagement Division of the University. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University. 2 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S COMMENT t is hard to read a newspaper, a magazine apathetic generation. In fact, it’s quite I or a website without encountering the contrary. This list looks like it was claims about Millennials. According to the generated by people who consider standard definition, Millennials are people relationships to be an important factor born between 1980 and 2000. These folks in their life – by people who value ethics, now range in age from 17–37. Most of the people, family and culture. In short, these anxiety, in particular, are rising on current students at Otago are Millennials, goals reflect a strong desire to be connected university campuses around the world as are many of our recent graduates. to the world and a desire to make a and my colleagues in the secondary school The popular press often describes difference. sector have observed a similar trend. Millennials in less than positive terms. There were many other questions in Perhaps this fragility reflects the number They have been referred to as fragile, the study. For example, graduates were and size of the goals that Millennials have narcissistic, selfish and apathetic. But, in asked to list the top three factors that were set for themselves. Perhaps the high level my experience, opinion is cheap and often important to them when choosing a job. In of connection afforded by social media wrong, so at the University of Otago we order, the five most important factors were: has provided endless opportunities for have taken the opportunity to collect some 1. Job satisfaction comparison and self-doubt. Whatever the data to help us understand what makes our 2. Financial security cause, the solution is staring us in the face. Millennials tick. 3. A good work/life balance On the basis of the data collected through In 2011, the eight New Zealand 4. Intellectual challenge and stimulation the GLSNZ, we know that Millennials Universities launched the Graduate 5. The opportunity to make a contribution/ thrive on human connections. At Otago, we Longitudinal Study (GLSNZ) which is a difference. will be using those data to shape the way we help our students as they take their final comprehensive study of the graduating These data have important implications steps to adulthood. cohort of that year – a 21-year-old for current changes in New Zealand. In closing, the results of the GLSNZ graduating with their first degree in 2011 Right now, we are undergoing a major didn’t surprise me. I have been working would have been born in 1990 which is right reorganisation in the way in which we with Millennials for the duration of my in the middle of Millennial range. More than provide careers advice to young people. In professional career and I have had the great 6,100 graduates completed the most recent the past, considerable time has been spent privilege of raising two of my own. What follow-up to the initial baseline survey and providing information about the salaries I have learned from this generation is that we will continue to follow their progress over associated with different professions, but they are far more (not less) prepared to the next few years. on the basis of what graduates have told us, enter the workforce than we were. They Among other things, the survey asked this is not the most important information see a big picture that many of us didn’t our graduates – two years after completing that Millennials will use to choose a career. see until we were well into our 30–40s. At their studies – how important various goals Although earning enough money (i.e. their best, these Millennials look after each and aspirations were to them. In order, financial security) is number two on the list, other. They call out prejudice and injustice their most important goals were: it comes below job satisfaction. Importantly, when they see it. They spend their money 1. Being in good health earning big money (i.e. earning potential) on experiences rather than things because 2. Having a family-friendly work/life balance does not even make the top five (coming in they have a clear appreciation that life is for 3. Working ethically at number eight), falling well behind other living. 4. Having a life-long partner non-monetary factors like work/life balance, In addition to learning from us, those of 5. Having children and a career intellectual challenge and the opportunity us who are not Millennials would do well to 6. Making a difference to make a difference. Government should learn something from them. 7. Travelling be mindful of these data when providing 8. Contributing to environmental sustainability information to young people. 9. Being culturally responsive Among all the things that have been 10. Being unselfish. said about them, Millennials do appear This list doesn’t look like it was to be somewhat more fragile than the Professor Harlene Hayne generated by a narcissistic, selfish or generations that preceded them. Levels of Vice-Chancellor, University of Otago 3 CONTENTS 45ISSUE NUMBER 6 11 14 6 14 22 New stAGE of Dunedin Study On the move Opinion The internationally acclaimed Dunedin Otago’s Centre for Global Migrations Professor Juergen Gnoth discusses the Multidisciplinary Health and Development is looking at the issues around mass pressures facing a tourism industry that is Study is entering its most challenging movements of people – and confronting “bursting at the seams”. phase so far, looking at questions of age. some of the myths and misunderstandings. 24 11 17 Law of the land Scientific measures Detecting success New Zealand’s first Māori Professor of Otago alumnus Michael Macknight talks Photonic Innovations Ltd makes market Law Jacinta Ruru’s career is defined by about the global success of ADInstruments, headway with its gas-sensing technology. a love of the land – and the rights and the Dunedin-based company that grew out responsibilities that go with this. of his 1980s master’s project. 20 Sustainability in action The University launches a Sustainability Strategic Framework. 4 22 24 36 44 Hocken legacy 28 36 The Dunedin campus in pictures. Play on A place for all Books Theatre Studies students reap the benefits Otago alumna and new University Council 47 of real-life professional theatre – on and off member Carrie Hobson. 48 Alumni news the stage – in a Fortune Theatre production of Shakepeare’s Twelfth Night. 39 54 Whatever happened to ... The University of Otago Blues? UniNews 30 New developments, funding successes, In Brief awards, achievements and honours. Research highlights. 5 FEATURE Study enters new stAGE The internationally recognised Dunedin study has informed health, education and social policy for more than 40 years. Now it is turning its attention to how we age. he world-leading Dunedin information about their growth and T Multidisciplinary Health and early development to using that data to Development Study is breaking new gain insights into the inevitable human ground with its greatest challenge yet. condition of getting older. After unprecedented and extremely “The big-picture purpose of the study detailed research into the whole lives of is to obtain a better understanding of the more than a thousand babies born in ageing process by studying the health and Dunedin between 1972 and 1973, the development of people in early mid-life. study is ramping up and entering its Surprisingly, not much is known about most exciting phase in the 45 years it people in their mid-40s, in this country has been running. or overseas, so what we find out will be “This will be the biggest, most used to help policymakers and help plan complex, most detailed assessment better services around the world.” phase ever, by quite some margin,” says The world has been following Otago’s director Professor Richie Poulton. lead for four decades, using the more As study participants enter middle