John Hay receives Medal for science leadership

Association of Crown Research Institutes

21 November 2006

John Hay receives Thomson Medal for outstanding science leadership

John Hay, CEO of Crown research institute ESR, has been awarded the Thomson Medal by the Royal Society of New Zealand at its National Science Honours Dinner at Auckland's Hilton Hotel. The Association of Crown Research Institutes congratulates Dr Hay, a Past President of ACRI, and currently deputy chair of the Health Research Council.

The Thomson Medal is awarded for outstanding and inspirational leadership in the management of science. It recognises that astute and sympathetic management is critical to excellence in science and its application.

Created in 1985, it is named after the father and son who together shaped the way science and education developed in New Zealand in the 20th century, including forerunners to the DSIR, National Museum and the RSNZ. The son was New Zealand’s first Rhodes Scholar.

Dr Hay has been CEO of ESR, the nation’s environmental health and forensic science research organisation, since 2000. He is also Deputy Chair of the Health Research Council, and has represented New Zealand on international missions. He served as President of ACRI during 2000-2001.

John Hay began his research career in plant science and agronomy at DSIR, and later become General Manager of AgResearch, Grasslands. He gained his PhD from Lincoln University/University College of Wales in plant population genetics.

The RSNZ citation notes that John Hay’s impact on science and the people he has led, and on science policy generally, extends far beyond the requirement of the senior positions he has held: “he is an inspirational and outstanding leader in the management of science in New Zealand.”

“John is highly regarded for his constructive approach to science policy development and cooperation. He has fostered and built links between Crown Research Institutes and universities, and represented New Zealand science on the international stage.”

ESR (the Institute of Environmental Science and Research) has grown turnover to $45 million and staff to 390 since 2000. It has also enhanced New Zealand's contribution to the international development of forensic science and public health science, and expanded the services provided nationally to our justice and public health systems. Major clients include the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Police.

Notes to Editor
The CRIs are: AgResearch, Crop & Food Research, ESR, GNS Science, HortResearch, Industrial Research, Landcare Research, NIWA, Scion.

ENDS

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