Michele Hewitson, writing in the NZ Herald, interviews the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, Professor Sir Peter Gluckman.
The Professor, known for his tetchiness, discusses his relationship with the media, beards, his background, role and achievements therein, and tall poppy syndrome.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“A serious question: How did he measure his achievements in his role as science adviser? He is a translator, of sorts. “Of course.” He makes public statements about, for example, climate change. His specialist area is, in lay person’s terms, how the start babies get in life affects their later health status. He said, when asked, “I don’t know anything about climate.” He regards his role as understanding the scientific process and helping the public understand it. He said, “Oh, I’ve changed the dialogue.” He knows this because “even Granny Herald writes positive editorials about science and its role in economic and social development in New Zealand”.”