Daphne Lee

Daphne Lee
Born1950 
EducationDoctor of Philosophy, Bachelor of Science 
Alma mater
Awards
  • McKay Hammer Award (2017) 
Academic career
Institutions
Notable studentsHenry James Leonard Gard
Author abbrev. (botany)D.E.Lee

Daphne E. Lee is a New Zealand geologist, palaeontologist and emeritus professor at the University of Otago. She is best known for her work on Foulden Maar and her research into fossils discovered at that site, and her work to improve geoscience education.

Biography

Lee was brought up on a farm near the Mataura River in Southland, and attended Gore High School, where she was a member of the geology club.[1] Lee studied geology at the University of Otago and went on to complete a PhD in 1981, studying part-time while she had a family. Her dissertation was titled The Cenozoic and Recent rhynchonellide brachiopods of New Zealand, with an account of the Eocene and Paleocene brachiopod faunas. She joined the university in 1988, and was for many years the only woman faculty member in the Department of Geology.[1][2] Lee’s research group was “the largest and most active university paleontological group” in New Zealand. Lee was an Associate Professor at the Geology Department of the University of Otago, from which she retired in 2018.[1][3][4] In 2024 she was awarded the title emeritus professor, "in recognition of her outstanding career as one of New Zealand’s most prominent, dedicated and passionate paleontologists".[1][5] She is a coordinator of a research team that has focused on researching the fossil site Foulden Maar.[6][7] Lee is the curator of the University of Otago Geology Museum.[1]

Lee led the GSNZ’s Geoeducation Subcommittee, which later became the Geological Education Special Interest Group. She co-founded the committee in 1983 and led it until 2005.[8] The group created teaching materials and contributed to the national science curriculum for years 1–11, ensuring that earth science was included in the science curriculum in all schools.[8] Lee specialises in palaeobotany and invertebrate paleontology, and is a recognised authority on living and fossil brachiopods.[5]

Foulden Maar

Lee has published both scholarly research as well as a book on the fossils of Foulden Maar.[9] Lee was a vocal opponent of the proposed mining of Foulden Maar.[10][11]

Awards

Lee was awarded the Geoscience Society of New Zealand McKay Hammer Award in 2017.[6] In November 2024, Lee was made an honorary life member of the Geoscience Society of New Zealand, with the citation noting her “significant contributions to the Society’s endeavours to improve geological education in New Zealand schools and her sustained support of GSNZ throughout her distinguished career.[8]

Selected publications

  • Lee, Daphne (2022). Fossil treasures of Foulden Maar : a window into Miocene Zealandia. Uwe Kaulfuss, John Conran. Dunedin, New Zealand. ISBN 978-1-990048-35-7. OCLC 1311951204.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Lewis, John (29 August 2024). "Life-long passion recognised with title". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  2. ^ Lee, Daphne E. (1980). The Cenozoic and recent rhynchonellide brachiopods of New Zealand, with an account of the Eocene and Paleocene brachiopod faunas (PhD thesis). University of Otago.
  3. ^ "Daphne E Lee staff page". www.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Learning Lessons from Foulden Maar". RNZ. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  5. ^ a b Otago, University of (22 August 2024). "Geology's fossil expert awarded Emeritus Professor". www.otago.ac.nz. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b Otago University Press. "Fossil Treasures of Foulden Maar: A Window into Miocene Zealandia". University of Otago. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  7. ^ Ballance, Alison (16 May 2019). "Foulden Maar - a 23-million year-old fossil treasure trove". RNZ. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Hayward, Bruce; Reid, Catherine (2024). "Daphne Lee". GSNZ Newsletter (8): 28–30.
  9. ^ "The fossil treasures of Foulden Maar". RNZ. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  10. ^ McPhee, Elena (29 May 2019). "Paleontologist breaks silence: 'horrified' over Foulden Maar". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  11. ^ McNeilly, Hamish (28 May 2019). "Battle to save 'essential' Foulden Maar heats up". Stuff. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
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