Shaun Hendy

Shaun Cameron Hendy is a New Zealand physicist. He is the chief scientist at climate innovation company Toha. He was previously a professor at the University of Auckland and was the first director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a centre of research excellence in complex systems and data analytics. During the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand, he led a team of scientists developing mathematical models of the spread of the virus across the country that influenced the government's response to the outbreak.

Early life and education Hendy was raised in Palmerston North, and earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1992, and a Bachelor of Science with first-class honours in mathematical physics the following year. He went on to undertake doctoral studies in physics at the University of Alberta between 1994 and 1998.

Career After completing his PhD, Hendy went to work at Industrial Research Limited in Lower Hutt on a New Zealand Science and Technology post-doctoral fellowship. He continued to be involved with the institute on researching properties of advanced materials as well as the application of mathematical models to innovation.

Hendy has been a professor of physics at the University of Auckland. He led research on the computer modelling of nanostructures and how they could be applied to nanotechnology.

Te Pūnaha Matatini Hendy was motivated to study the science of complex systems after hearing about the work of physicist Geoffrey West on the link between population distributions and innovation. It is one of five centres of research excellence hosted by the University of Auckland. Te Pūnaha Matatini develops tools to analyse data from a range of social, economic and biological systems, to inform and evaluate government policy and decision-making. In 2021 Hendy stepped down as the director of Te Pūnaha Matatini and as at 1 July 2021 Priscilla Wehi replaced him as director.

Science communication Hendy is known in New Zealand for his science communication, often contributing to publications such as The Spinoff and Sciblogs.co.nz to discuss his latest research and issues related to science policy. He was awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for Science Media Communication in 2012. He is a former president of the New Zealand Mathematical Society.

In 2013, Hendy co-authored his first book with physicist Sir Paul Callaghan, discussing approaches to diversify and innovate New Zealand's economy. He has written a book on the role of scientists in public discourse and one on taking personal responsibility towards reducing the effects of climate change. He has written about his experience of cutting out all air travel for a year in an effort to reduce his carbon footprint and why individual action matters.

Coronavirus pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hendy led a team of scientists at Te Pūnaha Matatini to study the spread of infection under various mitigation scenarios. His team's modelling showed that if no measures were taken, the coronavirus could infect 89 percent of the New Zealand population and kill 80,000 people. Subsequently, his team's advice to the government contributed to strong suppression measures across the country. His team continues to update their models based on new information and demonstrate the impact of the government's strict lockdown measures. In 2020 towards the end of the country's four-week lockdown, Hendy recommended it to be extended by two weeks to achieve the goal of eliminating the virus. He expressed concern about New Zealand's Anzac Day long weekend (25–27 April) encouraging a rise in social activity if the lockdown were eased before then, potentially spreading the virus further.

In late December 2021, Hendy and epidemiologist Siouxsie Wiles filed a complaint with the Employment Relations Authority against the University of Auckland for allegedly not protecting them from abuse by anti-lockdown and anti-vaccination elements. According to the authority, the pair had been harassed at home and work, and also received vitriolic personal responses. The pair had been raising concerns about their personal safety to the university since April 2020. The University of Auckland had responded by issuing a written statement in August 2021 advising them to minimise their public commentary and social media interaction; which Hendy and Wiles regarded as insufficient. The Employment Relations Authority also expedited their complaint, allowing it to proceed to the Employment Court, and ordered the university to pay their legal costs. Hendy settled with the university when he left employment there. By 30 July, Hendy and Wiles' counter-letter had attracted more than 2,000 unverified signatures.

Awards and honours 2020 – Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to science, in the 2021 New Year Honours 2013 – Awarded the ANZIAM E. O. Tuck Medal 2012 – Received the Prime Minister's Prize for Science Media Communication 2010 – Received the New Zealand Association of Scientists Research Medal

Books and selected publications

Books

Selected academic publications