The University of Otago politics professor has received the 2024 Critic and Conscience of Society Award from The Gama Foundation, for challenging the actions — or lack of actions — of powerful actors on the global stage.
Among them are New Zealand’s decision-makers, whom he has more recently held to account on issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States’ invitation for New Zealand to join Aukus, and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The award is administered by Universities New Zealand Te Pōkai Tara and recognises an academic’s role under the Education and Training Act 2020, to act as the critic and conscience of society.
It encourages academics to provide expert commentary on important issues affecting the New Zealand community and future generations.
Prof Patman said he was "deeply honoured" to receive the award.
"As an international relations academic with a strong commitment to public education, this award means everything to me."
He was delighted his efforts to contribute to a better understanding of New Zealand’s relationship with "a disrupted but increasingly interconnected world" had been recognised.
"We need to recognise that all states, including New Zealand, are increasingly confronted by ‘intermestic’ challenges that blur the boundaries between domestic and international politics, and that such issues deserve to be vigorously debated and considered in our society.
"If, as an academic specialist in international relations, I can help others, in a small way, to make more sense of the world we live in, then I am doing my job as an educator and hopefully contributing to a climate where citizens feel more empowered to articulate their concerns in our political system."
For decades, Prof Patman has strived to keep humanitarian issues of international and domestic importance in the public domain, particularly in the past two years when he has made more than 1000 media appearances.
Recently, his consistent advocacy of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza has played a part in shaping the terms of debate in New Zealand.
Gama Foundation founder Grant Nelson said Prof Patman’s output of articles and interviews had been "prodigious", and over time, they would impact on the New Zealand community and future generations.
"His media commentary has undoubtedly played a significant role in educating the public and decision-makers on international and humanitarian issues.
The award comes with a $50,000 funding grant, and Prof Patman said he planned to use part of it to secure research assistance to progress two literature projects — a book titled Rethinking the Global Impact of 9/11 and a co-authored volume called Why Political Leaders are Poor at Learning from History.
University of Otago humanities pro-vice chancellor Prof Jessica Palmer said it was "much-deserved" recognition for his "fearlessness" as an academic.
"He understands the importance of, and is generous in, his service as critic and conscience of society.
"As well as producing a wealth of proactive commentary, he is readily available to media to give valuable insight on breaking news.
"He provides a vital, Aotearoa-based perspective on international relations."
The award was established in 2017, and previous winners have been Dr Dean Knight (2023), Prof Janet Hoek (2022), Prof Alexander Gillespie and Associate Prof Siouxsie Wiles (2021), Prof Michael Baker and Associate Prof Anita Gibbs (2020), Prof Andrew Geddis (2019), Prof Ann Brower (2018) and Dr Mike Joy (2017).
