University of Auckland academics are hitting the bars on 2 August, delivering 20 lectures in ten of Tāmaki Makaurau's favourite watering holes in the annual Raising the Bar event.

Professor Andrew Shelling: exploding myths on what genetics can predict

Now in its fifth successful year, some of the Raising the Bar highlights will include:

  • Geneticist Professor Andrew Shelling exploding myths on what genetics can truly predict, such as when you will lose your virginity, and explaining where huge advances are really being made in diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
  • Dr Laura Domigan sinking her teeth into lab-grown meat, and sharing her own research engineering new protein for surgical use and cell-based meat production.
  •  Associate Professor Peter Saxton on Aotearoa New Zealand’s controversial policy that excludes gay men from donating blood if they’ve had sex in the last three months.
     

Mark Bentley, director of Alumni Relations and Development, says Raising the Bar provides a unique opportunity to be able to spend the night at the pub with an academic expert rather than "your regular know-it-all".

"The relaxed atmosphere of a bar is an ideal place for all members of our community, University students or graduates ,or not, to engage with academic thought and research."

Associate Professor Peter Saxton, left, promoting a safe blood donation policy
Venue Time Academic Subject
The Paw Bar & Eatery 6.30pm Professor Karen Waldie Neurodiversity
– it’s not in your head, it’s in your brain
  8pm Ali Lowery From the vineyard to the glass – what really goes into New Zealand wine?
Shadows 6.30pm  Professor Andrew Shelling Fact vs fiction: the truth about our genetic predispositions
  8pm Dr Melani Anae Educate to liberate!
Dice & Fork 6.30pm Dr Helen Murray Athletes and dementia – could there be a link?
  8pm Dr Angus Campbell Data and the demise of the designer
The Birdcage 6.30pm Dr Anna Brooks
The looming crisis of Long Covid
  8pm Julie Stout Auckland City, what a pity
Oakroom 6.30pm Associate Professor Jan Eldridge We’re all made of stardust
  8pm Associcate Professor Bodo Lang I told you so! Word of mouth: what is it, does it work and how can I use it?
Revelry 6.30pm Dr Danny Osborne Punks, politics and personality: Understanding the political psychology of voters
  8pm Associate Professor Peter Saxton Walking the tightrope: A blood donation policy that is safe, inclusive and more sustainable 
Tuning Fork 6.30pm Professor Justin O'Sullivan The untapped potential of DNA to personalise your healthcare and extend your life
  8pm Dr Kiri Dell A country’s journey to become a te reo Māori nation: what Māori and Pākehā need to consider
Mezze Bar 6.30pm Dr Alex Müntz Screens, teens & the unforeseen
  8pm Dr Laura
Domigan
Recipes for cultured meat
Le Zeppa 6.30pm Associate Professor Matheson Russell Democracy, but not as we know it
  8pm Professor Tava Olsen Why are the shelves bare? A look at what’s going on with the world’s supply chains
Everybody's 6.30pm Dr Guy Sinclair Everybody wants to rule the world. But who really does?
  8pm Dr Ritesh Shah Learning in a time of crisis: panacea or problem?

Media enquiries

Lisa Finucane
M:
021 677 216
E: l.finucane@auckland.ac.nz