Julie Maxton

Last updated

Dame Julie Maxton
DBE
Executive Director of the Royal Society
Assumed office
2011
Preceded byStephen Cox
Spouse(s)James Donald Carson, MBE (d. 2008)
Alma mater
Occupation Barrister, legal scholar, academic administrator

Dame Julie Katharine Maxton DBE (born 31 August 1955) is a British-New Zealand barrister, legal scholar, and academic administrator. Since 2011, she has been executive director of the Royal Society.

Contents

She spent most of her career working at the University of Auckland, where she rose to be Dean of its Faculty of Law. From 2006 to 2010, she was Registrar of the University of Oxford.

Early life and education

Maxton was born on 31 August 1955 in Edinburgh, Scotland. [1] [2] While at school, she played sport at international level, representing Scotland in lacrosse and hockey. [3]

She studied at law at University College London, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1976. [4] She then trained as a barrister, [5] and was called to the bar at Middle Temple on 27 July 1978. [6]

Maxton moved to New Zealand after qualifying as a barrister. [7] She undertook postgraduate study in law at the University of Canterbury, and graduated with a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in 1981. [4] The same year, she became a naturalised New Zealand citizen. [2]

At the University of Auckland, she also undertook postgraduate research and completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1991. [7] [4] Her doctoral thesis is entitled Contempt of Court. [8]

Career

Maxton began her academic career at the University of Canterbury. There, she taught within the university's School of Law as a lecturer. [7] [3] Upon marrying, she moved to a different university, the University of Auckland. This was unusual in that it is uncommon for academics to move between New Zealand law schools. [7]

At the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Maxton's career was both academic and administrative. Joining the university in 1985 as a lecturer, she was promoted to senior lecturer in 1987 and later to associate professor. [7] She spent periods as the Dean of Graduate Studies and was twice the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor. [7]

In 1993, she was appointed a Professor of Law. [4] She was Dean of the Faculty of Law between 2000 and 2005. [7] [3]

During her academic career, Maxton was also a practising barrister. [6] She concentrated on appellate cases.[ citation needed ] On 18 October 2012, she was made a Master of the Bench of Middle Temple. [6]

From 2006 to 2011, Maxton held the position of Registrar of the University of Oxford. In that role, she head of the University of Oxford's administration. [5] She was the first woman to hold the office in the 550 years since the position was first established. [9] During the appointment, she was also a Fellow of University College, Oxford. [5] She was succeeded by Ewan McKendrick in January 2011. [10]

In 2011, Maxton was appointed executive director of the Royal Society. The Royal Society is the oldest learned society in continuous existence and serves as the academy of sciences of the UK and the Commonwealth. She is the first woman to be appointed to the position in its 358-year history. [11]

Personal life

Maxton was married to Major Jim Carson (1934-2008), the first leader of the New Zealand Army Band and later head of music at Auckland Grammar School. [12] Together, they had one son. [7] Carson was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1974 Birthday Honours, [13] and died of cancer in 2008. [12]

Honours

In 2014, Maxton received a Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater, the University of Auckland. [3] In 2017, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Canterbury. [14]

Maxton was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours, for services to science, law, and education. [15] She was promoted to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2023 New Year Honours, for services to science and law. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond</span> British judge (born 1945)

Brenda Marjorie Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond,, is a British judge who served as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2017 until her retirement in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hood (university administrator)</span> New Zealand academic administrator

Sir John Antony Hood is a New Zealand businessman and administrator. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 5 October 2004 until 30 September 2009. He was the first Vice-Chancellor to be elected from outside Oxford's academic body in 900 years, and the first to have addressed the scholars' congregation via a webcast. In March 2007 New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark awarded him the World Class New Zealand supreme award to honour his contribution to profiling New Zealand and New Zealanders internationally. On 15 November 2007 he announced that he would not seek an extension to his five-year term as Vice Chancellor, and that he would leave Oxford in September 2009.

David Vernon Williams is a professor, and former deputy dean of the University of Auckland's Faculty of Law. He comes from the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand, and was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UCL Faculty of Laws</span>

The UCL Faculty of Laws is the law school of University College London (UCL), itself part of the federal University of London. It is one of UCL's 11 constituent faculties and is based in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the world's leading law schools, and ranked 6th globally in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings for Law.

Dame Reubina Ann Ballin was a New Zealand psychologist and victims' rights advocate. In 2002, she was accorded New Zealand's highest civilian honour, membership of the Order of New Zealand.

Dame Miraka Szászy was a prominent Māori leader, making significant contributions in education, broadcasting, social welfare and small business development.

Dame Jean Marjory Herbison was a New Zealand academic, educator, researcher and Chancellor of the University of Canterbury. She was the first woman to hold the post of chancellor at a New Zealand university.

Dame Alice Joan Metge is a New Zealand social anthropologist, educator, lecturer and writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margaret Bazley</span> New Zealand public servant

Dame Margaret Clara Bazley is a New Zealand public servant. She began her career as a psychiatric nurse and rose through the ranks to senior leadership positions at psychiatric hospitals and district health boards. In 1978 she became the Director of Nursing at the Department of Health, the chief nursing position in New Zealand and at that time the most senior position in the public service held by a woman, and in 1984 became the first female State Services Commissioner. She subsequently held top positions at the Department of Transport and the Department of Social Welfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Registrar of the University of Oxford</span> Senior official at the University of Oxford

The Registrar of the University of Oxford is one of the senior officials of the university. According to its statutes, the Registrar acts as the "head of the central administrative services", with responsibility for "the management and professional development of their staff and for the development of other administrative support". The Registrar is also the "principal adviser on strategic policy" to the university's Vice-Chancellor and Council, its main decision-making body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Edger</span> New Zealand university graduate, educationalist, community worker (1857–1935)

Kate Milligan Evans was the first woman in New Zealand to gain a university degree, and possibly the second in the British Empire to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Juliet Gerrard</span> New Zealand chemist

Dame Juliet Ann Gerrard is a New Zealand biochemistry academic. She is a professor at the University of Auckland and the New Zealand Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor.

Dame Jane Elizabeth Dacre, is a British rheumatologist and medical scholar. She is Professor of Medical Education at University College London, former director of UCL Medical School, and past medical director of the MRCP(UK) exam. In April 2014, she was elected to succeed Sir Richard Thompson as President of the Royal College of Physicians of London. She had previously served as Academic Vice President of the College. In 2018 Andrew Goddard was elected as her successor; she served as president until 26 September 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Mane-Wheoki</span> New Zealand art historian, academic and curator (1943–2014)

Jonathan Ngarimu Mane-Wheoki was a New Zealand art historian, academic, and curator. Of Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kurī and English descent, he was a pioneer in the study of contemporary Māori and Pacific art history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Warner</span> Governor of Tasmania

Catherine Ann Warner is an Australian lawyer and legal academic who was the 28th Governor of Tasmania from 2014 to 2021.

Dame Denise Anne McBride,, styled The Hon Madam Justice McBride, is a Northern Irish judge and former barrister specialising in chancery, family, civil and international law. In October 2015, she was appointed the first female judge of the High Court of Northern Ireland.

Dame Sarah Elizabeth Worthington, is a British legal scholar, barrister, and Deputy High Court Judge in the Chancery Division, specialising in company law, commercial law, and equity. From 2011 to 2022, she was the Downing Professor of the Laws of England at the University of Cambridge. She is Treasurer of the British Academy and a trustee of the British Museum.

Karen Nadine Scott is a New Zealand Law academic. She is a full professor at the University of Canterbury. She was elected President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law in June 2019.

David Christopher Thorns was a New Zealand sociologist, particularly known for his work on urban and suburban sociology.

Amokura Kawharu is a New Zealand legal academic and barrister. Kawharu was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 2021. She is the first woman and the first Māori to be president of the New Zealand Law Commission.

References

  1. "Weekend birthdays". The Guardian . Guardian News & Media. 31 August 2014. p. 55.
  2. 1 2 "Julie Katharine Maxton in the New Zealand, naturalisations, 1843–1981" . Ancestry.com Operations. 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Many firsts for former Dean of Law". University of Auckland. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Distinguished graduates honoured". Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. University of Auckland. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Julie Maxton". People. Royal Society. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Dr Julie Maxton". Masters of the Bench. The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Taggart, Mike (2005). "From Auckland to Oxford: Farewell to our Julie" (PDF). Eden Crescent. University of Auckland. p. 2. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  8. Maxton, Julie (1990). Contempt of court in New Zealand (Doctoral thesis). ResearchSpace@Auckland, University of Auckland. hdl:2292/3439.
  9. MacLeod, Donald (12 September 2006). "Julie Maxton: Marathon woman". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  10. "Registrar – Professor Ewan McKendrick, QC (Hon)". University Officers. University of Oxford. Retrieved 18 November 2015. He took up the appointment of Registrar in January 2011, succeeding Dr Julie Maxton
  11. "Royal Society appoints new Executive Director". News. Royal Society. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Army salutes Mr Music". East And Bays Courier. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  13. "No. 46312". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 15 June 1974. p. 6830.
  14. "Honorary graduates" (PDF). University of Canterbury. p. 3. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  15. "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B9.
  16. "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N9.