Richard Dean Batt Memorial Lectures

The Richard Dean Batt Memorial Lecture series was inaugurated in 1994 to honour Dick Batt, former leader in science at Massy University, as Head of Department and Dean of Science and in many other ways, over many years.

This lecture series is held every two years, when a distinguished scientist delivers a lecture of a general nature to the public in memory of Richard Batt.

Lecture 9 - 2010 Dr Paul Reynolds

Lecture 8 - 2008 Professor Michael Walker

Lecture 7 - 2006 Dr Ian Gibson MP

Lecture 6 - 2004 Professor Paul Callaghan

Lecture 5 - 2002 Hon Pete Hodgson

Lecture 4 - 2000 Professor George Petersen

Richard Dean Batt (1923-1994)

Richard Dean Batt

MBE MSc MA PhD New Zealand DPhil Oxon FRSC FRIC FRSNZ Hon FRACI FNZIC

Professor Richard (Dick) Batt died in Palmerston North on January 2nd 1994. At the time of his death, 5 years after retirement, he was still an active scientist, serving on committees, acting as an expert court witness, and writing a book on his work in the field of medicolegal aspects of alcohol metabolism. Professor Batt dedicated his entire career to the advancement of science in New Zealand, and in particular at Massey University.

Professor Batt began his education at Wanganui Technical College and the University of Otago, where he completed an MSc and a PhD in Organic Chemistry. He graduated with an MA (in Physiology) and a DPhil (in Biochemistry) from Oxford University. In 1953, he returned to Dunedin to take up a lectureship in Biochemistry, receiving promotion to the level of Associate Professor. In 1964, Dick Batt moved to Palmerston North to become the first Professor of Biochemistry, and to head the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Massey University.

Professor Batt remained the Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for 24 years. During this time he also served as Dean of the Science Faculty from 1965-1967 and from 1972-1983, and played an active role on many University committees. In 1972 Dick Batt was responsible for setting up the New Zealand Biochemical Society (now the New Zealand Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). He served as the inaugural Secretary, as Chairperson from 1981-1984, and was made an Honorary Member in 1988. Professor Batt received many other honours in recognition of his service to science, including election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of New Zealand and to its Council, the MBE (in 1976), and conferment of the title of Emeritus Professor by the Council of Massey University.

Condensed from K E Kitson, Royal Society Yearbook 1995.

Contact IFS | Contact Massey | About Massey | Massey Sitemap | Disclaimer