Professor’s death leaves ‘huge hole’ in department

Associate Prof Damian Scarf was a beloved member of staff at the University of Otago. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The death of an active and popular member of University of Otago’s psychology department has left the team there with a "huge hole" in it, fellow staff say.

Associate Prof Damian Scarf, 41, was a high achiever with a remarkable work ethic who was frank about his mental health, department of psychology head Jamin Halberstadt said yesterday.

His death, in Dunedin on December 18, had had a far-reaching impact on staff and students at the university.

"He had a huge reach as well, in terms of people he worked with and students that he touched," Prof Halberstadt said.

"It’s just amazing how many lives he was involved with.

"There’s people all over the country who seem to know him."

Assoc Prof Scarf received his PhD from Otago in 2011 after researching comparative cognition in pigeons and humans.

His work was placed on the University of Otago Division of Sciences list of exceptional PhD theses.

He also received a Fulbright Scholarship and worked as a visiting researcher at Columbia University.

He began lecturing in the psychology department in 2013 and had published an enormous amount of work, Prof Halberstadt said.

"He was very active in the department.

"There’s a huge, huge hole in terms of not just his personality, but ... how much he did in [the field]."

Assoc Prof Scarf believed the university’s research should benefit local people and solve local problems.

"Probably more than any other staff member, I felt like he was very interested in sort of local impact."

He was generous with his time and an advocate for his students, particularly Māori and Pasifika students and those with mental health struggles, Prof Halberstadt said.

Some supervisors were cautious about students they chose to supervise, but "Damian was known for reaching out and ... taking chances with students who other people might have turned away".