Distinguished Professor Tony Ballantyne on New Zealand history, the British Empire and his new book

In this week’s episode of 30 with the VC, a “recovering politician and a current economist” talk all about the economy, inflation and key issues facing New Zealanders in the upcoming general election. Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson is joined by Associate Professor Dennis Wesselbaum who shares how his early family life influenced his career and explains why his research is like a puzzle.

Professor Peter Dearden is an evolutionary developmental geneticist and Director of Genetics Aotearoa. In this week’s episode of 30 with the VC, he talks to Grant Robertson about what a genome actually is, what it takes to become a predator-free country and the question at the heart of his research he is yet to answer. Plus, he brings a black field cricket to the studio!

Professor Moana Theodore is the Director of the Dunedin Study, considered the most detailed study of human health and development in the world. In this episode of 30 with the VC, she talks to Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson about a day in the life of a Study Member undergoing testing, what keeps them coming back after 50 years and important findings throughout the decades.

Professor Craig Rodger, from Otago's Department of Physics, is known for his expertise in space weather, love of fun shirts and enthusiastic storytelling. In the first episode of 30 with the VC, he talks to Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson about what exactly space weather is and how it can impact us, the "satisfying and scary" real-world impact of his research, and his hopes for the students he teaches.