Dr Ashley Bloomfield

Former director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will join Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland (UoA) as a professor in the School of Population Health and will lead the establishment of the university’s new Public Policy Impact Institute as its inaugural chair.

Announcing the appointment, vice-chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said Dr Bloomfield brings enormous experience to the university. “We look forward to him joining the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences and also using his public policy expertise to build our new Public Policy Impact Institute.”

An Auckland University statement described the Public Policy Impact Institute as supporting the translation and application of university research into policies that directly impact communities. Dr Bloomfield said he has very pleased to be joining the team at Waipapa Taumata Rau and was looking forward to working alongside colleagues in the School of Population Health.

“The proposed Public Policy Impact Institute is a great opportunity to strengthen the link between the university’s world-class research and the development and implementation of policy. The intent is clear – to help improve a range of social and economic outcomes in Aotearoa with a strong focus on equity,” he said.

Dr Diana Sarfati took over as director-general of health and chief executive in July 2022. Dr Bloomfield begins at Waipapa Taumata Rau on 31 January 2023.