Centre for Sustainability Research

11/10/2026

Our Centre seminar this Thursday 15th October at 12pm will be presented by Professor James Beattie. Title: Creating the Cantonese Pacific: Migration and Environmental Change in the Southern Pacific, 1790s-1930s

27/09/2026

REMINDER: on this week!

Our friends at Te Uru Institute for Sustainability, in association with Tūhura Otago Museum, are delighted to bring you this informative FREE public talk.

The Super El Niño What does it mean for us? Public talk with Dr Jen Purdie
Thursday 1 October 2026 5.30 pm, doors open 5pm
Hutton Theatre, TŪHURA OTAGO MUSEUM
Registration essential: www.https://www.teuru.info/calendar/super-el-nino


The El Nino-Southern Oscillation is a 2 to 5-year climate cycle spawned in the equatorial Pacific, but with wide-ranging impacts on the weather around the Pacific and beyond.

Dr Jen Purdie from the University of Otago will help us understand what exactly an El Nino is, what makes this year’s one “super” and how it is different from previous El Ninos. We will hear about the likely impacts on Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, and learn what this has to do with climate change.

The talk will be 40 minutes, followed by Q&A. If you would like to attend but can't be with us in person, the event will be live streamed via Zoom - simply select your attendance option when you register.
Dr Jen Purdie works in the field of seasonal prediction of climate, using climate indices such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation to forecast rainfall and river flows in New Zealand. Jen also explores climate change projections and their impacts, particularly on energy and agriculture. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sustainability Research at the University of Otago.

24/09/2026

Our friends at Te Uru Institute for Sustainability, in association with Tūhura Otago Museum, are delighted to bring you this informative FREE public talk.

The Super El Niño What does it mean for us? Public talk with Dr Jen Purdie
Thursday 1 October 2026 5.30 pm, doors open 5pm
Hutton Theatre, TŪHURA OTAGO MUSEUM
Registration essential: www.https://www.teuru.info/calendar/super-el-nino


The El Nino-Southern Oscillation is a 2 to 5-year climate cycle spawned in the equatorial Pacific, but with wide-ranging impacts on the weather around the Pacific and beyond.

Dr Jen Purdie from the University of Otago will help us understand what exactly an El Nino is, what makes this year’s one “super” and how it is different from previous El Ninos. We will hear about the likely impacts on Otago, Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, and learn what this has to do with climate change.

The talk will be 40 minutes, followed by Q&A. If you would like to attend but can't be with us in person, the event will be live streamed via Zoom - simply select your attendance option when you register.
Dr Jen Purdie works in the field of seasonal prediction of climate, using climate indices such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation to forecast rainfall and river flows in New Zealand. Jen also explores climate change projections and their impacts, particularly on energy and agriculture. She is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Sustainability Research at the University of Otago.

11/09/2026

Seminar next week: How does Social Change Happen? Insights from Social and Environmental
Psychology by Dr Maddie Judge Thursday 17 September, 12pm
Centre for Sustainability seminar room, 563 Castle Street

02/09/2026

We had a special visitor on Monday — a kārearea (NZ falcon)! According to New Zealand Birds Onlinee, it is kārearea breeding season, so you might see a bit more of them around, especially if you keep your eyes on the skies!

02/09/2026

Doctoral student Manaia Pearmain-Fenton reflects on her master's work monitoring kakaruai populations outside the boundaries of Orokonui Ecosanctuary - Te Korowai o Mihiwaka. Her research found that: "Over time, kakaruai were found in more locations, some individuals persisting year after year and new areas being colonised. In other words, the sanctuary appears to be doing more than protecting birds within its boundaries. It may also be helping drive the gradual spread of wildlife beyond them."
Read more in the ODT:

Wins for nature worth singing about

02/09/2026

If you know a Mechatronics/ Mechanical/ Robotics Engineer or an AI/ Machine Learning Engineer, send them the links below! These positions are vacant at Bodeker Scientific and have been shared by former Centre researcher Dr Negin Imani

https://www.bodekerscientific.com/vacancies/mechatronics-mechanical-or-robotics-engineer

https://www.bodekerscientific.com/vacancies/post-doctoral-researcher

Mechatronics, Mechanical or Robotics Engineer – Adaptive Façade Systems Applicants should have a degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical or Robotics Engineering, or a related field. 3+ years’ experience in prototype development, product development, research engineering or a similar role is

06/06/2026

Professor Janet Stephenson: "Climate remains the crisis of our times"

The urgency of the climate crisis demands we remain focused on solutions, despite all the distractions, writes Prof Janet Stephenson. It is just...

12/04/2026

CSR seminar this Thursday 16th April 12pm:
Smart Skins: Rethinking building envelopes for a changing climate.
Presented by
Dr Negin Imani
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/events/smart-skins-rethinking-building-envelopes-for-a-changing-climate

01/04/2026

Senior Research Fellow Dr Jen Purdie on LNG vs pumped hydro: will NZ choose to import risk or build cleaner resilience?

Two new fast-track energy projects offer very different paths: one tied to volatile fossil fuels, the other to a more sustainable, renewable future.