In the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha| University of Canterbury (UC) offers its students boundless opportunities for education, exploration and recreation. Since its founding in 1873, UC maintains its vision as a modern university – a place of learning grounded in a shared history, which values differences and inclusive research and tertiary education. It consists of seven faculties: Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Health, Law, and Science.
Ranked first in the 2022 THE Impact Rankings for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and among the top 50 universities globally overall, UC is committed to contributing to the United Nations’ SDGs through its research and education practices and institutional operations.
UC offers unmatched research facilities including field stations in Cass, Kawatiri Westport, Harihari, the sub-Antarctic Snares Islands, Nigeria, and Antarctica as well as New Zealand’s premier astronomical research facility Ōtehīwai Mount John Observatory, near Takapō Tekapo; famous for its clear southern skies.
Before the deadly eruption of Whakaari White Island in December 2019, pressure and a tremor built up in a pattern seen in other volcanoes. It could help scientists develop an early-warning system.
World Health Day is shining a light on local responses to health challenges. It’s time New Zealand takes that message to heart and works with local communities for a fairer health system.
How we design our cities can make it harder to be healthy. City planners are now able to quantify the different elements that are affecting our health and well-being.
Michael Plank, University of Canterbury; Dion O'Neale, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Emily Harvey, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Vaccine passes have outlived their usefulness, at least for now. But as New Zealand’s Omicron wave begins to subside, other public health measures remain vitally important.
As the Winter Olympics are showing, the unique cultures of action sports seem to support long careers among the top athletes – something other sports and society in general could learn from.
New Zealand’s system of managed quarantine at the border may soon be less important, but we could well need to stand it up again quickly if a new COVID-19 variant emerges.
Matthew Hobbs, University of Canterbury; Anna Howe, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Lukas Marek, University of Canterbury
New Zealand has managed to stamp out onward transmission of the Delta variant, which means it’s not dealing with a “double epidemic” and has a better chance to tackle Omicron’s spread.
The latest medical scanning technology revealed details of a plesiosaur’s inner ear, showing the extinct marine reptiles swam with their head slightly lowered – unlike the Loch Ness ‘sock puppet’.
Bad laws, political tribalism and cancel culture – philosopher Arthur Prior was describing similar things in the 1950s, and his challenge is just as relevant today.
Ultra-processed foods high in sugar, fat and empty carbs are bad for the mind as well as the body. Lack of micronutrients affects brain function and influences mood and mental health symptoms.
Omicron may soon arrive at the border, but New Zealand hopes to keep it out of the community through border controls, testing requirements and rapid genome sequencing of any positive cases.
Two-thirds of autism research funding in New Zealand is directed at biology and genetics. The autism community says improving support services and quality of life should be the priorities.
A new study suggests the market alone will not deter or punish pharmaceutical companies whose products turn out to have adverse effects after they have been approved.