Max Abbott

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Max Abbott
Abbott in 2016
Born
Max Wenden Abbott
EducationKuranui College

Max Wenden Abbott CNZM is a New Zealand psychologist. He is the co-director and founder of the National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research.[1]

Career[edit]

Abbott was the first person ever to be appointed national director of the Mental Health Foundation, a position he took up in 1981.[2] He was also President of the World Federation for Mental Health.[3] Abbott resigned as the AUT's Dean of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences Professor in 2020[4] and was a Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University of Technology (AUT),[5] and a worldwide leader in the field of gambling addiction.[6]

In the 2016 New Year Honours, Abbott was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to health, science and education.[7] He is also a recipient of AUT's University Medal.[8]

Controversy[edit]

A five-page complaint was laid against Abbott in August 2019 for sexual harassment.[9] In 2020 an investigation was conducted into allegations of sexual harassment of an overseas colleague. The harassment took place over two years.[10] Professor Max Abbott resigned from AUT in the wake of the claims.[11] He has now apologised to the female academic.[12]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Professor of Psychology & Public Health receives national honour - News - AUT". news.aut.ac.nz.
  2. ^ "Leading role in NZ mental health reform". NZ Herald. 22 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Waitematä District Health Board Candidates" (PDF). waitematadhb.govt.nz. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Professor Max Abbott resigns from all roles at AUT after sexual harassment claims". NZ Herald. 22 June 2023.
  5. ^ Max Abbott profile linkedin.com [self-published source]
  6. ^ "Strategic Science - guiding policy & practice". www.strategicscience.ca.
  7. ^ "New Year honours list 2016". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Professor Max Abbott wins top accolade - News - AUT". news.aut.ac.nz.
  9. ^ "Trans-Tasman universities at war over top scholar's 'sexual stalking'". Stuff. 23 May 2020.
  10. ^ "AUT professor Max Abbott resigns in wake of sexual stalking claims". Stuff. 19 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Professor volunteers to stand down from board after sexual stalking allegations". Stuff. 6 May 2020.
  12. ^ "The Detail: AUT Professor Max Abbott exposed". Stuff. 24 June 2020.