Dr Eric Dorfman

Biography of Eric Dorfman

Dr Eric Dorfman is Director of Eklektus Inc., a collective creative people specialising in the development of cultural sector strategy and visitor experiences. Eric has a strong focus on conservation and sustainability, with an MSc (Moss Landing, California) in Marine Science, focusing on the behaviour of porpoises and a PhD (U Sydney) in the ecology of wetland birds.

He also has extensive experience in exhibition concept development, writing, acting and directing for film and stage and graphic design. This experience has led him to create content for exhibitions and programs for the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Other work has included projects for Sydney Aquarium; Steinhart Aquarium, San Francisco; Macleay Museum, Sydney; California Department of Parks and Recreation's Historic Old Monterey Precinct.

Eric worked with the New Zealand Department of Conservation developing creative projects with the arts industry to raise awareness for conservation. One such project was Wild Music, co-produced with Radio New Zealand Concert and performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In 2005, Eric wrote and directed the documentary Te Kereru: The World of the New Zealand Pigeon for The Museum of New Zealand, narrated by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Eric is an Adjunct Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, in the Department of Museum Studies. He is also an author, publishing books and short stories, as well as popular and scholarly articles on topics ranging from bird behaviour to business. His most recent book is Melting Point: New Zealand and the Climate Change Crisis, published by Penguin Australia.