Insights from past pandemics and preparing for the future

18 August 2025 - 22 August 2025

Region(s): Nationwide

Type(s): presentations

Join the University of Otago Wellington for its free upcoming pandemic webinar series, spanning from ancient pandemics to what is coming next. This 4-part series of 1-hour lunchtime online lectures features scientists from around the world.

Register here

Monday, 18 August

Insights from ancient pandemics: What the Black Death and other pandemics of the past can teach us

Speakers:

• Professor Rebecca Gowland from Durham University, England, an expert in bio-archaeology

• Professor Chris Gerrard from Durham University, England, an Archaeologist and medieval historian

• Professor Frank Krauss from Durham University, England, a physicist and disease modeller

Tuesday, 19 August

Insights from the 1918 influenza pandemic: Still more to learn

Speakers:

• Professor Geoffrey Rice from the University of Canterbury

• Dr Sarah Pirikahu from the University of Otago Wellington

• Hampton Gaddy from the Centre for Research on Pandemics & Society, Norway

Thursday, 21 August

Insights from Covid-19: Emerging clarity

Speakers:

• Professor Michael Baker from the University of Otago Wellington

• Professor Collin Tukuitonga from the University of Auckland

• Dr John Kerr from the University of Otago Wellington

Friday, 22 August

Future pandemic threats and how we can protect ourselves

Speakers:

• Professor Dave Hayman from Massey University

• Professor Raina McIntyre from the University of New South Wales

• Professor Nick Wilson from the University of Otago Wellington