The University of Waikato has awarded two of its leading academics the prestigious title of Emeritus Professor for their contributions to the University and their fields of expertise.
Professor David McKie has been recognised for his significant contributions to public relations, strategic communication, and leadership, and Professor Daniel Zirker was recognised for his expertise across political science and public policy.
Professor David McKie
Professor McKie joined the University in 1997 and his work at the intersection of public relations, strategic communication, and leadership has been an influential and guiding force in the industry. He has an outstanding record as a scholar and a teacher and is a highly valued member of the leadership communications community.
Professor McKie initiated and steered the Bachelor of Communication Studies degree through NZQA and was its inaugural director during the first four years of its implementation. Professor McKie also contributed to the design of the MBA and Indigenous MBA qualifications, delivering papers for corporates and across public sector organisations.
He has co-authored five books, published more than 30 book chapters, edited or co-edited nine special issues of journals, published more than 60 refereed journal articles and delivered over 100 international conference papers.
Professor Daniel Zirker
Professor Zirker joined the University in 2004 as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and more recently has been a valued member of the Political Science and Public Policy Programme.
He is a committed educator and highly productive scholar teaching across the curriculum from undergraduate to honours and masters level papers, along with supervising and co-supervising eight current and completed PhD candidates.
His research interests extend across military authoritarianism, democratisation and civil-military relations in dictatorships and developing democracies, mass politics, and more broadly, Latin American politics. He is also highly regarded as a commentator on contemporary affairs, contributing to the 2020 Radio New Zealand Special Edition of Checkpoint covering the American Election Returns.
Professor Zirker has published 46 journal articles and 28 book chapters and delivered well over 100 presentations and addresses. From 1999 to 2005 and 2018 to 2020 he served as Chair of the Research Committee on Armed Forces and Society within the International Political Science Association and was director of the Association between 2005 and 2008.
