How science serves society to be explored at 2025 Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture

Cawthron Institute is proud to host the upcoming 82nd Annual Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture on Monday 9 June in Nelson. This event continues to honour the enduring vision of philanthropist Thomas Cawthron and will feature internationally renowned New Zealand science leader Sir Peter Gluckman as keynote speaker.

At a time when the world faces a range of global challenges — from climate change and geopolitical tensions to rapid technological disruption — the need for science that truly serves society has never been more urgent. But science itself is under pressure. Trust is faltering, and political divisions are creating deep challenges to the social contract between science, government, and the public — just as society needs it most.

New Zealand has long celebrated ingenuity, but relying on outdated ideas and underfunding science is leaving our nation behind. Other countries are investing in science and innovation to solve pressing problems, while New Zealand risks falling further behind if no action is taken.

Globally, the science community faces its own set of challenges. Science diplomacy — essential to tackling global issues like climate change, pandemics, and biodiversity loss — must evolve. To rebuild trust and make a real impact, science needs to be more transparent, more connected to society, and better integrated into the decisions that shapes a collective future.

Sir Peter, President of the International Science Council and Director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, will share his vision for how science can be a trusted partner in building a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable world. His address will explore how science can better inform and influence decision-making at both national and global levels — and what must change for that to happen.

Following Sir Peter’s address, Dr Kate Hutson, Senior Biosecurity Scientist at Cawthron Institute and Adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University, will discuss her groundbreaking work on emerging aquatic disease threats. Her research emphasizes the importance of connecting communities and decision-makers to address biosecurity challenges effectively.

A century of scientific dialogue

The 2025 lecture is a special milestone, marking 100 years since Nobel Laureate Sir Ernest Rutherford delivered the Thomas Cawthron Memorial Lecture on Electricity and Matter in Nelson. His appearance in 1925 honoured Thomas Cawthron’s vision and demonstrated the value of sharing science with the wider public.

A hundred years later, we’re reflecting on Rutherford’s lasting impact—not just as a key figure in nuclear physics, but as someone who inspired a culture of scientific curiosity in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is fitting, then, that the 2025 lecture will be delivered by another of New Zealand’s most influential scientific voices, Sir Peter Gluckman, whose work continues the legacy of using science to inform society, shape policy, and engage the public in critical conversations about our future.

Event Details

• Date: Monday, 9 June 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Venue: Annesbrook Event Centre, Nelson
• Admission: Free for students and under 25s; suggested koha of $20 for general admission (or pay what you can)

To book your tickets, please visit www.cawthron.org.nz/annual-lecture.

This event is part of Cawthron Institute’s longstanding tradition of sharing science with the community, commemorating the legacy of Thomas Cawthron. The lectures offer a unique opportunity to engage with leading scientific minds on issues that impact both New Zealand and the global community.