# David Skegg

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New Zealand epidemiologist (b. 1947)

Sir David Skegg KNZM OBE FRSNZ Skegg in 2010 Born David Christopher Graham Skegg (1947-12-16) 16 December 1947 (age 78) Auckland, New Zealand Education University of Otago University of Oxford Alma mater Balliol College Scientific career Fields Epidemiology Institutions University of Otago Doctoral students Lianne Parkin

**Sir David Christopher Graham Skegg** [KNZM](/source/Knight_Companion_of_the_New_Zealand_Order_of_Merit) [OBE](/source/Officer_of_the_Most_Excellent_Order_of_the_British_Empire) [FRSNZ](/source/Fellow_of_the_Royal_Society_of_New_Zealand) (born 16 December 1947) is a [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand) epidemiologist and university administrator. He is an emeritus professor in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at the [University of Otago](/source/University_of_Otago). He was the [vice-chancellor](/source/Vice-chancellor) of the university from 2004 to 2011 and president of the [Royal Society of New Zealand](/source/Royal_Society_of_New_Zealand) from 2012 to 2015.[1] His primary research interest is cancer epidemiology.[2][3][4]

## Biography

Skegg was born in [Auckland](/source/Auckland) and attended [King's College, Auckland](/source/King's_College%2C_Auckland). He entered the medical course at the University of Otago, travelling on exchange to [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University). He later received a (postgraduate) [Rhodes Scholarship](/source/Rhodes_Scholarship) to the [University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford), joining [Balliol College](/source/Balliol_College%2C_Oxford) and working with noted epidemiologist [Sir Richard Doll](/source/Richard_Doll).[2][5]

Returning to Otago, Skegg took up the departmental chair in Preventive and Social Medicine in 1980. He was the vice-chancellor of the university from 2004 to 2011. He was president of the [Royal Society of New Zealand](/source/Royal_Society_of_New_Zealand) from July 2012[6] to 2015.

Skegg has acted as a consultant to the [World Health Organization](/source/World_Health_Organization) and to the [New Zealand Government](/source/New_Zealand_Government). He chaired the Health Research Council, the Science Board, and the Public Health Commission.[7] In the [1991 New Year Honours](/source/1991_New_Year_Honours_(New_Zealand)), he was appointed an [Officer of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire), for services to medicine,[8] and in the [2009 New Year Honours](/source/2009_New_Year_Honours_(New_Zealand)), he was appointed a [Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit](/source/New_Zealand_Order_of_Merit), also for services to medicine.[9] Later in 2009, he accepted re-designation as a Knight Companion following the restoration of titular honours by the New Zealand Government.[10] He has contributed to the study of cervical, breast and prostate cancer, as well as contraceptives and reproductive health.[11]

During the [COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_New_Zealand), Skegg was an adviser to the International Science Council[12][13] and the Epidemic Response Committee of the New Zealand Parliament.[14] He also chaired the [Strategic Covid-19 Public Health Advisory Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strategic_Covid-19_Public_Health_Advisory_Group&action=edit&redlink=1), which advised the New Zealand Government on its [response](/source/New_Zealand_government_response_to_the_COVID-19_pandemic) to the pandemic. In that capacity, he has advocated an elimination approach to containing the pandemic until an effective vaccination programme could be rolled out.[15] Under his leadership, the Committee advocated a phased approach towards reopening the country's borders, easing managed isolation requirements for certain travellers, and introducing pre-departure and rapid testing for travellers exiting and entering the country.[16][17]

Notable doctoral students of Skegg's include [Lianne Parkin](/source/Lianne_Parkin).[18]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Professor David Skegg"](https://www.otago.ac.nz/dsm/people/expertise/profile/index.html?id=632). University of Otago. Retrieved 20 August 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kcoca_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kcoca_2-1) ["Old Collegian becomes Otago University Chancellor"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040422021210/http://www.kcoca.com/courier.cfm?Page=CourierArticle&CourierArticleID=272). [King's College](/source/King's_College%2C_Auckland). 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.kcoca.com/courier.cfm?Page=CourierArticle&CourierArticleID=272) on 22 April 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-critic_3-0)** Smirk, Susan (2010). ["Skegg"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110724192239/http://critic.co.nz/articles/335). [Critic Magazine](/source/Critic_(magazine)). Archived from [the original](http://critic.co.nz/articles/335) on 24 July 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-otagomag_4-0)** Rutherford, Jill (2004). ["To Lead"](http://www.otago.ac.nz/news/otagomagazine/otago004395.pdf) (PDF). *Otago Magazine*. University of Otago.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-acu_5-0)** ["Conference of Executive Heads: Invited Speakers"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090312023621/http://www.adelaide.edu.au/acu2006/program/speakers.html). [Association of Commonwealth Universities](/source/Association_of_Commonwealth_Universities). Archived from [the original](http://www.adelaide.edu.au/acu2006/program/speakers.html) on 12 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Royal Society of New Zealand announces new President"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130208162022/http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/2012/03/12/new-president/). Royal Society of New Zealand. 12 March 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/2012/03/12/new-president/) on 8 February 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Skegg, David (2019). *The health of the people*. Wellington, New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books. p. 141. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781988545585](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781988545585). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1089437275](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1089437275).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["No. 52383"](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52383/supplement/30). *[The London Gazette](/source/The_London_Gazette)* (2nd supplement). 31 December 1990. p. 30.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["New Year honours list 2009"](https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2009). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Special honours list 1 August 2009"](https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/special-honours-list-1-august-2009). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 August 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-nzh_11-0)** Johnston, Martin (31 December 2008). ["Honours List: Cancer researcher lifted lid on healthcare faults"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10550120). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Skegg, David; Gluckman, Peter; Boulton, Geoffrey; Hackmann, Heide; Karim, Salim S. Abdool; Piot, Peter; Woopen, Christiane (27 February 2021). ["Future scenarios for the COVID-19 pandemic"](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00424-4/fulltext). *The Lancet*. **397** (10276): 777–778. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00424-4](https://doi.org/10.1016%2FS0140-6736%2821%2900424-4). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-6736](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-6736). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [7906624](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7906624). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [33607000](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33607000).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Unprecedented & Unfinished: COVID-19 and Implications for National and Global Policy](https://council.science/publications/covid19-unprecedented-and-unfinished) (Report). International Science Council. 17 May 2022. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.24948/2022.03](https://doi.org/10.24948%2F2022.03).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Morton, Jamie (11 November 2022). ["Why Sir David Skegg is 'cautiously optimistic' worst of Covid-19 is over"](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/why-sir-david-skegg-is-cautiously-optimistic-worst-of-covid-19-is-over/OBW2UXG75BQ66D3XDVNLNY7ACI/). *[The New Zealand Herald](/source/The_New_Zealand_Herald)*. Retrieved 28 November 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Broughton, Cate (18 July 2021). ["Don't give up on eliminating – not eradicating – Covid-19, Kiwi scientists say"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/125788567/dont-give-up-on-eliminating--not-eradicating--covid19-kiwi-scientists-say). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210721041836/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/125788567/dont-give-up-on-eliminating--not-eradicating--covid19-kiwi-scientists-say) from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Corlett, Eva (10 August 2021). ["New Zealand should take phased approach to border reopening, experts advise"](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/11/new-zealand-should-take-phased-approach-to-border-reopening-experts-advise). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210811040915/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/11/new-zealand-should-take-phased-approach-to-border-reopening-experts-advise) from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Malpass, Luke; Cooke, Henry (11 August 2021). ["Covid-19 NZ: Government advisory group says borders can open in 2022 without forgoing elimination strategy"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126031427/covid19-nz-government-advisory-group-says-borders-can-open-in-2022-without-forgoing-elimination-strategy). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210810224346/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/126031427/covid19-nz-government-advisory-group-says-borders-can-open-in-2022-without-forgoing-elimination-strategy) from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Parkin, Lianne (2008). [*Risk factors for venous thromboembolism*](https://hdl.handle.net/10523/8329) (PhD thesis). OUR Archive, University of Otago.

## External links

- Hancock, Farah (2019). ["NZ's deadly public health battle".](https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/04/16/531451/nzs-deadly-public-health-battle) *Newsroom*, 16 April 2019.

- ["Sir David Skegg: national leadership on public health needed."](https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018685317/sir-david-skegg-national-leadership-on-public-health-needed) *RNZ,* 6 March 2019.

- Lambert, Max (1991). *Who's Who in New Zealand* (12th ed.). Reed, Auckland. p. 583. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7900-01306](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7900-01306).

Professional and academic associations Preceded by Garth Carnaby President of the Royal Society of New Zealand 2012–2015 Succeeded by Richard Bedford

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Skegg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Skegg) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Skegg?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.