About Us

The MacDiarmid Institute brings together and equips New Zealand’s leading researchers in nanotechnology and materials science. Our culture of collaboration and excellence enables scientists to work together across disciplines at the highest level, and remain connected internationally.

We partner with New Zealand businesses to take our innovations through to export markets in areas as diverse as health, electronics, food and fashion. The Institute also inspires and trains young researchers and engages the public with science-centred events.

Our Investigators work throughout New Zealand, while the Institute is hosted by Victoria University of Wellington. Named after Alan MacDiarmid, whose curiosity and determination saw him awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the MacDiarmid Institute was New Zealand’s first Centre of Research Excellence.

The Science Executive

The Science executive, which meets every two months, provides a vital sounding board and source of guidance for the Director and Deputy Directors in their day-by-day leadership roles. This executive comprises the Director, the Deputy Directors, the Board Chair, and eight elected Principal Investigators.

The Board

Wise governance is central to the Institute's ability to function effectively. Underpinning that goverance are pricipals of partnership, fairness, transparency and excellence. The Institute is not established as a seperate legal entity, but as an expression of the partnership intent embodied in a founding partnership agreement

The International Advisory Board

The Board is informed by an International Advisory Board (IAB), comprising some of the world's leading scientists in the fields of research represented by the Institute.  The IAB meets every two years.