The Unitec/MT 2021 Rangahau Horonuku Hu/New Research Landscapes Symposium brought together researchers this week from 13 institutions and research centres across New Zealand.
Although initially planned as an on-site event, it was quickly pivoted online after Auckland’s Covid lockdown in August. However, interest in the event remained strong with more than 400 registrations for the two-day event that featured speakers, presentations and an undergraduate poster competition from a wide range of research disciplines.
The aim of the event was to connect researchers, foster research collaboration between ITPs, industry and community, and disseminate quality, industry and community partnered research, says Marcus Williams, Unitec’s Director – Research and Enterprise.
“The theme was suggested by Dr Cat Mitchell, a researcher in Ngā Wai a te Tui and valued member of the Symposium Steering Committee, which has Unitec and MIT members,” he says.
“Then Mātua Hare Paniora gifted the name; Rangahau Horonuku Hou; New Research Landscapes. I thought this was fabulous because for research communities and academia in general, change is the future.
“Issues like climate change require innovative transdisciplinary research approaches, which are impeded by intransigent institutional bureaucracies and thrive on well-networked, problem-based collaborative practice.
“The lack of diversity and equity of opportunity in and for the research workforce, especially in leadership, requires urgent attention. The need to recognise different ways of knowing, indigenous ways of knowing, Māori and Pacific world views, this is hugely important.
“The need for researchers to partner with the stakeholders involved in research, including our students, is becoming an imperative that can no longer be ignored.
The exciting thing is that these inexorable forces of change create enormous opportunity for our sector. Alongside the disruptions and challenges of Te Pūkenga, comes the possibility of leading some of these changes through a highly collaborative, nationally networked organisation which is close to its communities and industries, less encumbered with embedded hierarchies and more agile.”
Key-note speakers included researchers from Unitec, MIT The University of Auckland, Ngā Wai a te Tūī; Māori and Indigenous Research Centre, Southland Institute of Technology (SIT) and Northtec.
The proceedings will be published before the end of 2022. Unitec ePress, https://www.unitec.ac.nz/epress/, is an open-source, online publisher of peer-reviewed, quality-assured academic work.
Read more about the event here
AWARDS FINALISTS AND WINNERS
Research with Impact Awards
WINNER: Dr. Tepora Emery, Mamaeroa Merito, Waitiahoaho Emery, Auroa Rikiti, Takiri te Ata Raerino and Freddy-Ray Collier.
Title: “Inquiry-based project learning in early childhood: Time to develop localised understanding of this pedagogical approach”.
FIRST RUNNER UP: Dr. Christine Liang
Title: “Making the invisible visible: Lessons learned from Micro-Investigators, a microplastics citizen science programme in Southland”.
SECOND RUNNER UP: Dr Sarah Probine , Yo-Heta Lensen, Helen Wrightson, Jo Perry , Dr. Rachael Burke and Keiko Whitley
Title: “Inquiry-based project learning in early childhood: Time to develop localised understanding of this pedagogical approach
Judges: Prof Martin Carroll (Head Judge) – DCE Academic, Unitec/MIT, Dr Wiremu Manaia – (DCE-Maori, MIT), Annette Pitavao – Director Student Success, Unitec
Undergraduate Student Research Excellence Awards
WINNER: Lydia Charteris
Supervisor: Caralyn Kemp
Title: Stress-less Weaning of Guide Dog Puppies.
FIRST RUNNER UP: Kayla Briden
Supervisor: Kristie Cameron
Title: Flock Hierarchy and the Feeding Behaviours of Free-Range Hens.
SECOND RUNNER UP: Pramith Waidyaratne
Supervisor: David Phillips
Title: Analysing and Forecasting Daily Water Level Fluctuations in Water Supply Dams.
Judges: Dr Katy Mann Benn (Head Judge) – Team Leader Learning and Achievement, Unitec; Sam Lotu-Iiga – DCE Pasifika, Unitec; Adrienne Kohler – Senior Communications Partner, Unitec
Māori Research Excellence Awards
WINNER: The MOKO research team:
Jenny Lee-Morgan, Ngāhuia Eruera, Kim Penetito, Pania Newton, Moana Waa, Hinemaru Rōpati, Luella Linaker, Kahelyn Evans (Unitec).
Title: Marae Ora, Kāinga Ora.
FIRST RUNNER UP: Chantal Bakersmith (Unitec)
Title: The tale of the rugby ball and me: The whakapapa of female rugby in Aotearoa.
SECOND RUNNER UP: Di Tamati & Catherine Mitchell (Unitec)
Title: Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu: Gaining insights into the experiences of postgraduate tauira Maori within vocational education.
Judges: Dr Hinekura Smith (Head Judge) – Ngā Wai a Te Tūī, Unitec and Rau Hoskins – Lecturer/Māori Studio Director, School of Architecture, Unitec
Pacific Research Excellence Awards
WINNER: Louise Rummel, Karen Clarke, Sandra McDonald, Cath Dickey, Yvonne Kainuku, & Grace Benson (MIT).
Title: Learning and teaching of cultural best practice: How far have we come? How far have we got to go? What contribution have Pacific nurses made to this journey?
FIRST RUNNER UP: Maureen Fepuleai (MIT)
Title: Feagaiga: The sacred brother–sister covenant – past, present and future.
SECOND RUNER UP: Tina Dawber (MIT)
Title: Teu taa‘I koe (I will hit you). Physical discipline and the Tongan parenting style: A therapy programme for change in attitudes and behaviour.]
Judges: Dr Tui Matelau (Head Judge) – Lecturer Bridgepoint, Unitec; Linda Aumua, Head of School Healthcare and Social Practice, Unitec
Early Career Researcher Excellence Awards
Note: The winners had non ECR co-authors in their presentation.
WINNER: Daisy Bentley-Gray (Unitec)
Co-author: Mary Noella Lim
Title: The challenges of female Pacific business students during Covid-19 lockdowns in Auckland.
FIRST RUNNER UP: Catherine Mitchell (Unitec)
Co-author: Diane Tamati
Title: Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu: Gaining insights into the experiences of postgraduate tauira Māori within vocational education.
SECOND RUNNER UP: Shannon Wallis (Unitec)
Co-authors: Charles Lemckert, Robyn Hardy & Terri-Ann Berry
Title: Bioengineered treatment processes for hazardous waste.
This was a People’s Choice Award, thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.