Niki Harré is a professor at the University of Auckland specialising in the psychology of sustainability. Her research examines environmentally sustainable organisations, citizenship, values, the role of religion and political activism.  In 2007 she co-edited the book Carbon Neutral by 2020: How New Zealanders Can Tackle Climate Change. Her two most recent books are  Psychology for…

Topic: Changing Collars- a journey out of the closet and the priesthood In his presentation Michael will seek to share something of his personal journey of faith and sexuality which led him into a life within the (Catholic) Church Ministry and eventually his journey ‘out’ in both respects. Ex- Catholic Priest, retired Celebrant, Icon of…

Natasha is a postdoctoral scientist working for the University of Auckland. She uses CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to develop sheep models of Alzheimer’s Disease with the hope of eventually finding a cure. She did a Bachelor of Science at Massey University majoring in genetics and zoology, followed by a Master of Science in evolutionary biology.…

Craig Hoyle grew up in Invercargill within the New Zealand Exclusive Brethren. Separated from public society, he attended Brethren-only schooling and worked in his family’s tyre shop. After facing interrogations and conversion therapy for his sexuality, he was excommunicated from the Brethren and lost his family in 2009. Today he is chief news director for…

Ella Henry will discuss whether traditional Maōri knowledge can be considered scientific.  This presentation is predicated on an article by Mike Dickison, published in the NZ Skeptics journal in August 1994. Here Ella will revisit the article and explore how, and in what ways, Aotearoa New Zealand has evolved in the last thirty years, with regard…

Conflict: behavioural and psychological aspects. A personal view. Patsy tries to dig deeper into the sources of interpersonal conflict to provide another avenue towards mutual understanding. Patsy Spicer (aka Patsy Dye) BHB, MB,ChB AucklandNHS GP (retired), Atheist. Patsy has spent her adult professional life flying the flag for medicine and science in an increasingly difficult…

Everything you know about transportation is wrong! Transportation plays a significant role in our daily lives, impacting everything from the food we eat to the places we live and even the relationships we develop. But although we all engage with transportation, misconceptions about driving, cycling and public transit, particularly in cities, are widespread. These myths…