Tales of the Unexpected with Professor Richard Beasley
The Royal Society Te Apārangi and its Christchurch Branch are delighted to present a special public talk from the Professor Richard Beasley - winner of the Rutherford Medal in 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of New Zealand’s leading researchers. This promises to be a fascinating and thought-provoking evening.
Date: Wednesday 27th August 2025.
Time: 6 to 7.30pm.
Location: Rolleston Lecture Theatre at the University of Otago Christchurch (Christchurch Hospital Campus).
Cost: FREE but seats are limited so booking is essential.
Professor Richard Beasley CNZM FRSNZ will highlight ten influential research programmes that have challenged long-held clinical assumptions, advanced medical knowledge, and directly influenced patient care:
- Should fever be treated?
- What is the optimal amount of oxygen for critically ill patients?
- Are party pills safe, and do they affect driving performance?
- Does smoking cannabis cause lung cancer?
- Is sitting for long periods at work or during recreation a risk factor for blood clots?
- Should preservatives be included in asthma nebuliser solutions?
- Is ‘watchful waiting’ preferable to surgery for a collapsed lung?
- What are the underlying disease processes of asthma?
- What was the cause of the epidemic of asthma deaths in New Zealand?
- Are adult asthma treatments suitable for children?
The answers to many of these research questions were unexpected. The research raises significant regulatory and legal issues. It also exposes the limited evidence of the benefit and safety of many fundamental approaches to the clinical management of common disorders, and the gaps in knowledge, particularly in children.
Join us for this fascinating presentation that will illustrate the unpredictable nature of research and its influence to reshape our understanding.
Find out more about this special public talk from Professor Richard Beasley, including how to book (Humanitix).