Facing Covid-19 Together: Perspectives on a Pandemic

What does the Covid-19 virus tell us about ourselves?  How do we make sense of the news about the virus coming at us from many directions? How do we confront the wide range of public responses and behaviours?

Join us for a panel discussion that will bring together members of the University of Auckland community with a range of perspectives on this potential pandemic.  Some responses to the emergence of the disease have drawn upon dark pools of suspicion and prejudice in New Zealand’s history.  A Pasifika dimension in public responses includes a sorry history of infection and death in the islands.  Events in China have highlighted how much and how little we understand about our important partner.  In a time of fear, we have a responsibility better to understand the actual and likely trajectories of this public health challenge.  This panel will help us map out appropriate and collective responses.

Panellists:

Paul Clark (Asian Studies) contemporary Chinese social history/politics

Paul Clark, Professor of Chinese, specializes in contemporary Chinese history. He has worked on China for 40 years and is also Director of the North Asia Centre for Asia-Pacific Excellence.

Damon Salesa (PVC Pacific) Pacific history

Toeolesulusulu Associate Professor Damon Salesa is a scholar specializing in Pacific Island culture, history, and politics. He is the founding Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland.

Siouxsie Wiles (Molecular Medicine and Pathology) Public health and science communication

Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles (MNZM) is a microbiologist and heads up the Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab at the University of Auckland, where she combines her twin passions to understand infectious diseases and to find new antibiotics. Siouxsie has a keen interest in demystifying science and is a well known commentator on science issues.

Summer Xia (President) NZ Chinese Students Association

Summer Xia is the President of the New Zealand Chinese Students' Association. She has been living in New Zealand for eight years and now a fifth-year Mechanical Engineering, Finance and Information Systems students at the University of Auckland.

Rachel Yang (President) UoA Chinese Alumni Club

Rachel Yang, an alumna, is the founder of the University of Auckland Chinese Alumni Club, mentor of Women's Mentoring Programme, Workplace Insight Programme and member of New Zealand Asian Leaders. She is also the founder of Ysquared Chartered Accountants, Ysquared Education and Trusted AML Services.

Jenny Dixon (DVC-Strategic Engagement) Chair

Jenny Dixon is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement) and Professor of Planning. Her portfolio includes oversight of the University’s international engagement and outreach.