Resources

Aotearoa, New Zealand is a unique context in which to live and work as a university academic.

All public universities have a responsibility to serve the public good. But, in New Zealand, universities also have a legal obligation to take up a role as critic and conscience of society.

We have developed some guides to help academics in New Zealand effectively engage in critic and conscience activities.

The Law

Kris Gledhill, Faculty of Law, University of Auckland, explains what the legal situation is for Kiwi academics when it comes to their academic freedom and their right to act as critic and conscience of society.

University Policies & Advice

The University of Auckland has a written policy regarding Public Communication and Statements.

The policy states that the University encourages and supports academics to speak publicly on matters related to their area of expertise. It also provides advice about how to distinguish communications made in a private capacity from those made as an academic or expert.

History

Assoc Prof Barbara Grant, Critical Studies in Education, University of Auckland, explains how the phrase "critic and conscience of society" found its way into The Education Act (1989) in New Zealand.

Making a submission

Select Committees are particularly keen to hear the views of academic experts, especially as academics tend to be more impartial than businesses and lobby groups, which are seen as being aligned to business interests. Assoc Prof Alex Sims, Commercial Law, University of Auckland, shares her top tips on making a submission.

Writing for Newspapers

A lot of OpEd contributions start with introductory flam, often equivocating on the point before they have made it. Get to the point - and keep on the point. Prof Tim Hazledine, Economics, University of Auckland Business School, reflects on the art of writing for newspapers and shares some advice for the uninitiated.

Publications

Academic colleagues in New Zealand and overseas share their experiences, reflections, and advice on public engagement and advocacy.

[Blog post ] Want to ensure your research influences policy? Advice from a government insider. LSE Impact Blog, Oct 2017.

[Interview] Ecologist Mike Joy on winning the inaugural critic and conscience award. Radio NZ, Sept 2017.

[Journal Issue] What Does Intellectual Freedom Mean Today?. Inaugural issue of Continental Thought & Theory, Apr 2016.

[Article] Bruce Munro, "Critical Clauses" Mar 2016.

[Article] Jane Kelsey, "Critic and conscience." Dec 2015.

[Blog post ] Margaret Stanley, "Should scientists be advocates?" August 2015.

[Blog post ] Niki Harré, "The revolution will not be funded." July 2015.

[Talks] "Going Public: Scientists Speaking Out on Difficult Issues" - Radio NZ broadcast of talks from the New Zealand Association of Scientists' 2015 Annual Conference. May 2015.

[Article] Simon Chapman, "Reflections on a 38-year career in public health advocacy: 10 pieces of advice to early career researchers and advocates." Mar 2015.