Described by Lincoln vice-chancellor Dr Andrew West as “an extraordinarily visionary and generous act”, the funded professorial chair will need a unique set of skills.
“As well as carrying core academic responsibilities, we see the appointee becoming a leading spokesperson on global trade, particularly around the challenges facing NZ’s agricultural exports,” West said.
Harrison has long held the view that NZ businesses must understand global supply chains and where they can add value.
The Professorial Chair in Global Value Chains and Trade will play a key role in educating tomorrow’s business leaders as well as providing thought leadership for industry today.
“Ideally we’re looking for someone who has developed a high profile and strong reputation outside the academic world but who has the ability to pass that knowledge on to students, conduct and lead quality research, and collaborate with industry,” he said.
The commercial aspect of the role is seen as particularly relevant in order to capitalise on NZ’s advantageous position as a world leader in high-quality primary products relative to increasing global demand from the growing number of middle-class consumers.
The new role is particularly timely with work continuing on the development of the Lincoln Hub – a partnership between Lincoln, DairyNZ, AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, and Landcare Research to combine expertise and infrastructure to the benefit of the primary sector.
