Garth James Smith Cooper is a New Zealand academic biochemist, and as of 2021 is a full professor at the University of Auckland.[1]
Garth James Smith Cooper | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | |
| Doctoral advisor | Kenneth B. M. Reid |
Academic career
After a PhD titled 'The characterisation of amylin and analysis of its role in diabetes mellitus' at the University of Oxford, Cooper moved to the University of Auckland, rising to full professor.[1]
In July 2021, in the context of a review of the NCEA (New Zealand's National Curriculum), Cooper, along with six other University of Auckland Professors and Emeritus Professors published a letter "In Defence of Science" in the New Zealand Listener,[2] which drew considerable fire claiming indigenous knowledge (or Mātauranga Māori) "falls far short of what can be defined as science itself." Auckland vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater said the letter "caused considerable hurt and dismay among our staff, students and alumni" and that "Mātauranga Māori as a valuable knowledge system, and that it was not at odds with Western empirical science and did not need to compete."[3][4] The TEU, the union which represents academics such as the professors, released a statement saying they "neglected to engage with or mention the many highly accomplished scholars and scientists in Aotearoa who have sought to reconcile notions of science, mātauranga Māori, and Māori in science."[5] The Royal Society of New Zealand released a statement saying "The Society strongly upholds the value of mātauranga Māori and rejects the narrow and outmoded definition of science outlined in [the letter]."[6] The New Zealand Association of Scientists released a statement saying "we were dismayed to see a number of prominent academics publicly questioning the value of mātauranga to science."[7] The letter writters were supported by opposition MP Paul Goldsmith.[8] Daniel Hikuroa, also an academic at Auckland, pointed out that Mātauranga Māori like Māramataka (the Māori lunar calendar) "was clearly science."[9] Tara McAllister said "we did not navigate to Aotearoa on myths and legends. We did not live successfully in balance with the environment without science. Māori were the first scientists in Aotearoa."[9] Tina Ngata wrote that "this letter, in all of its unsolicited glory, is a true testament to how racism is harboured and fostered within New Zealand academia."[10] An open counter-letter received more than 2000 signatures.[11]
Selected works
- Xu, A., Wang, Y., Keshaw, H., Xu, L.Y., Lam, K.S. and Cooper, G.J., 2003. The fat-derived hormone adiponectin alleviates alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases in mice. The Journal of clinical investigation, 112(1), pp.91-100.
- Cooper, G.J., Willis, A.C., Clark, A., Turner, R.C., Sim, R.B. and Reid, K.B., 1987. Purification and characterization of a peptide from amyloid-rich pancreases of type 2 diabetic patients. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 84(23), pp.8628-8632.
- Clark, A., Wells, C.A., Buley, I.D., Cruickshank, J.K., Vanhegan, R.I., Matthews, D.R., Cooper, G.J., Holman, R.R. and Turner, R.C., 1988. Islet amyloid, increased A-cells, reduced B-cells and exocrine fibrosis: quantitative changes in the pancreas in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland), 9(4), pp.151-159.
- Leighton, B. and Cooper, G.J., 1988. Pancreatic amylin and calcitonin gene-related peptide cause resistance to insulin in skeletal muscle in vitro. Nature, 335(6191), pp.632-635.
References
- ^ a b https://unidirectory.auckland.ac.nz/profile/g-cooper
- ^ Kendall Clements, Garth Cooper, Michael Corballis, Douglas Elliffe, Robert Nola, Elizabeth Rata, and John Werry. “In Defence of Science.” New Zealand Listener, 31 July 2021. p.4
- ^ Dunlop, Māni (28 July 2021). "University academics' claim mātauranga Māori 'not science' sparks controversy". RNZ. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Vice-Chancellor comments - The University of Auckland". Auckland.ac.nz. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "University academics' claim that mātauranga Māori is 'not science' sparks controversy". Stuff.co.nz. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Joint statement from President and Chair of Academy Executive Committee". Royalsociety.org.nz. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Mātauranga and Science" (PDF). The New Zealand Association of Scientists. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "Paul Goldsmith: Mātauranga Māori shouldn't be taught at the expense of science". NewstalkZB. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Henry, Dubby (28 July 2021). "Professors slammed for letter claiming Māori knowledge is not science". NewstalkZB.
- ^ Ngata, Tina (25 July 2021). "Defence of colonial racism". www.tinangata.com. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ "An open response to 'In defence of science' New Zealand Listener (July 23)". Google Docs. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
External links
- Garth Cooper publications indexed by Google Scholar
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