Aki Te’evale – Research Administrator; Sarah Kirk – Academic Advisor, Digital Learning; Assoc Prof Helen Gremillion – School of Healthcare and Social Practice; Marie Shannon-Editor, epress; Gregor Steinhorn-Research Partner; Arun Deo – Research Advisor; Aveer Deo; Cynthia Almeida-Postgraduate Academic Administrator; Seated: Asher Lewis, Research Ethics Administrator; Assoc Prof Marcus William – Director, Research & Enterprise
Our annual Research Symposium attracted a record number of entries this year with more than 160 research submissions from tertiary institutes from all round the country.
Tūāpapa Rangahau Director, Associate Professor Marcus Williams, said the number of entries this year was unprecedented, and the convening team had made the decision to stage the Symposium over two separate days in order to accommodate more presenters.
The Symposium programme included the 3-Minute Thesis Competition for Masters students and for the first time this year, a Māori research stream and a Pacific research stream.
The first event was held on Friday in Te Puna, announcing the winners of six of the categories.
In opening of the Symposium, Marcus acknowledged the input of academic staff and students, saying that the number of submissions was astounding, considering the challenges of the year.
Ngā Wai a Te Tūī Director Jenny Lee-Morgan gave the keynote address and CEO Gus Gilmore presented the awards at the end of the day.
The winners were:
3-Minute Thesis Competition
- Runner-up: Taine Murray, School of Architecture, for ‘Regenerative Manifesto’
Marcus Williams presents the Unitec 2020 HoS CoLab Research Dissemination Innovation Award to Samantha Heath
- Joint Winners: Ying Olivia Chiang, School of Architecture for ‘Be Still’ and Rob Small, School of Architecture, for ‘Mana Kai and Mana Rongoa’
Research with Impact:
- Runner-up: Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan, Director – Ngā Wai a Te Tūī and Community Researchers
- Winner: Hermione Keepa and Rihi Tenana, Researchers, Ngā Wai a Te Tūī
Early Career Researcher Award:
- Runner-up: Tui Matelau, Senior Lecturer, School of Bridgepoint
- Winner: Whitiao Paul, Community Researcher, Ngā Wai a Te Tūī
Tūāpapa Rangahau Awards:
Marcus Williams and Cynthia Almeida, who won the Outstanding Contribution to Research Support and Culture Award
The Unitec 2020 HoS CoLab Research Dissemination Innovation Award was awarded to Dr Samantha Heath, Lecturer and Research Leader, School of Healthcare and Social Practice. Samantha was recognised for her leadership in creating research opportunities for staff in the Bachelor of Nursing.
The Unitec Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research Excellence was presented to Professor Jenny Lee-Morgan, Director, Ngā Wai a Te Tūī for her leadership in establishing and growing Ngā Wai a te Tūi, Unitec’s Māori and Indigenous Research Centre
A special award was presented to for Outstanding Contribution to Research Support and Culture, to Cynthia Almeida, Postgraduate Academic Administrator, Tūāpapa Rangahau Research and Postgraduate Office. Cynthia was recognised for the support she gives to student researchers. Among the comments supporting her award, was a comment from a student:
“Thank you for you supportive and loving heart. You are the most amazing person I came across and met at Unitec…thanks a million for your kind help.”
The second part of the Symposium will take place in early December, where awards for Research with Impact and Excellence in Early Career Research will also be given.
CEO Gus Gilmore with members of Ngā Wai a Te Tūī and community researchers: Jenny Lee-Morgan (Waikato-Tainui), Director Ngā Wai a Te Tūī, Ngāhuia Eruera (Ngāti Awa, Ngai Tuhoe, Tuhourangi), Kaiwhakahaere Rangahau, Kim Penetito (Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Tamatera, Ngāti Kotimana) Kaiawhina Rangahau, Hineamaru Ropati (Ngāti Hine), Kairangahau – Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae, Harlin Raerino-Gray (Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Awa) Kairangahau – Mataatua Marae, Pania Newton (NgaaPuhi, Te Rarawa, Waikato), Kairangahau – Makaurau Marae