Jagadish Thaker

JT or JAGADISH THAKER (Ph.D., George Mason University) is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. He is an affiliate researcher with the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, and the Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation at the National University of Singapore. His research examines ways to understand and enhance public, business, and policy engagement with climate change and public health. He specializes in science and climate change communication, health communication, and strategic communication campaigns.

He has won several grants and awards including the National Communication Association’s Golden Anniversary Monograph Award, 2021 Outstanding Ph.D. Graduate Alumnus of the Year award, George Mason University’s Department of Communication, Massey Business School’s Excellence in Research Award, and Top 40 under 40 inspiring teachers award from The Indian Express, a leading newspaper in India. His co-edited book was a finalist in the Association of American Publishers’ 2019 PROSE Award.

He serves as an expert reviewer or jury for the National Geographic Society, Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC), European Science Foundation, and Health Research Council New Zealand, among other funding agencies.

His research has been cited by scholars in top institutions around the world, intergovernmental agencies such as The World Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO, government agencies in India and New Zealand, and sustainability business groups and advocacy organisations. His research has been covered by several international newspapers including The Guardian, The New York Times, Reuters, The Atlantic, New Zealand Herald, The Hindu, and he has appeared several times on national TV and radio in New Zealand. His research was featured by the Royal Society of New Zealand.