Professor Richie Poulton has been the Director of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health & Development Research Unit since 2000. The Research Unit runs the ongoing Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (also known as the Dunedin Study) which is a detailed study of human health, development and behaviour. The Study was founded by Dr Phil A. Silva and began at the Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. Dr Silva retired as Director in 1999.