In a new podcast series called 30 with the VC, University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson sits down with Otago researchers to talk about their discoveries, research and careers.
In this episode, he chats to Professor Craig Rodger from the Department of Physics, known for his expertise in space weather, love of fun shirts and enthusiastic storytelling.
Rodger’s interest in space started at a young age. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, he remembers watching significant events on television, such as the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probes which explored outer planets and the launch of the first orbital flight of Nasa’s Space Shuttle programme, STS-1.
That led him to physics and the University of Otago.
Throughout his career, he has become a leading voice on space weather, which examines the energy flows from the sun and how it impacts the environment on and around Earth, and an adviser to national organisations.
Listen to the podcast episode
As part of the research programme Solar Tsunami, he is across the phenomena know as a solar tsunami, the best- and worst-case scenarios if one were to impact the Earth, and the plans in place to reduce any damage.
In the podcast he talks about the “satisfying and scary” impact of his research, such as when he was asked to explain why Transpower shut off some electricity transmission circuits during a solar storm in May 2024 so the Prime Minister could be briefed on it.
“I’m used to going to conferences and hanging out with my nerdy friends and my nerdy enemies and talking about science,” he says.
“You suddenly realise you’re doing stuff that matters to people.”
This year Rodger became just the second New Zealander to win a senior award from the International Union of Radio Science when he received the Karl Rawer Gold Medal.
As well as being a globally recognised researcher and commentator, Rodger is also a passionate lecturer.
After recording 30 with the VC, he headed to a 100-level Introduction to Astronomy paper, a course that allows him to wax lyrical about stars, planets, the sky and how science knowledge can be applied.
It’s a chance for him to get to know the next generation of bright minds.
“The nice thing about having been at the university for so long is seeing students achieve wonderful things and thinking ‘Wow, I was a very small part of this person going away and becoming that magnificent person,’ he says.
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