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Professor Craig Rodger is the Beverly Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics at the University of Otago. He obtained his BSc (Hons) and PhD from the University of Otago. Rodger joined the department in 2001 as a lecturer and was promoted to Professor. He served as Head of the Department from 2016 to 2020 and leads the Space Physics Group. In teaching, he directs PHSI 131 Fundamentals of Physics I and coordinates PHSI 191 Biological Physics and ASTR 101 Introduction to Astronomy. His honors include the Fulbright New Zealand Scholar Award in 2015 (hosted by University of Colorado Boulder), University of Otago Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011, University of Otago Early Career Award for Distinction in Research in 2004, Editor's Citation for Excellence in Refereeing from the Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics in 1998 and 2014, and the Inaugural Hatherton Award from the Royal Society of New Zealand in 1997.
Rodger's primary research interests lie in space weather, focusing on quantifying electron precipitation from the Van Allen radiation belts into Earth's atmosphere, developing modeling tools for these processes, and collaborating internationally on satellite measurements and ground-based radio receivers in polar regions. He has been involved in the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) since 2002, operating processing centers and sensors for global lightning detection. His recent work also examines greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Notable publications include Crack et al. (2024) on even-order harmonic distortion during geomagnetic disturbances in Space Weather; Clilverd et al. (2024) on electron precipitation in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics; Smith et al. (2024) on sudden commencements and geomagnetically induced currents in New Zealand; Mac Manus et al. (2023) on GIC mitigation; and Chapman-Smith et al. (2023) on polar mesospheric ozone loss. Rodger chairs Commission H (Waves in Plasma) of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) from 2023 to 2026 and represented New Zealand in the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. His research has secured significant funding, including $15 million from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to study space weather threats to infrastructure.
Explore the University of Otago's pursuit of NZDF research tenders, including weapons tech, and the backlash from politicians and staff over ethics and anti-militarism values.
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