Margaret Wilson named as first NZ-UK Link Visiting Professor to the UK

22 April 2010

Professor Margaret Wilson DCNZM, Professor of Law and Public Policy at the University of Waikato and former parliamentary speaker, has been awarded the inaugural Link Visiting Professorship to the UK.

Sponsored by the NZ-UK Link Foundation, the three-month visiting professorship, will begin in October at the School of Advanced Study, University of London.

During her stay, Professor Wilson will give at least four public presentations or lectures on topics including electoral systems, taking into account New Zealand's experience with MMP, the role of relatively new Supreme Courts in both countries, and the role of human rights institutions and their relationship with Parliament.

Professor Wilson has served as Attorney-General, Minister of Labour and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Before entering Parliament in 1999, she was the first Professor and Foundation Dean of the then School of Law at Waikato. She has an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato, and in 2009 was awarded the Distinguished Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit.

The NZ-UK Link Foundation works for the advancement of education for the benefits of the public in the UK and New Zealand. The Foundation has established scholarships and exchange schemes for individuals to study and teach the economic, social, cultural and scientific history of both countries and the inter-relationships between them.