Last week’s Research Symposium, hosted by Tūāpapa Rangahau – Partnering Research & Enterprise, focused on the creation and sharing of knowledge.
Following an opening address by Merran Davis, the audience heard engaging presentations from two guest speakers:
Guests: Christian Probst, Dr Hamid Sharifzadeh, Dion Sheppard, Penny Thomson, Gregor Steinhorn and Reuben Smiler.
- Dion Sheppard – Forensic Research & Development Programme Manager, Environmental Science & Research, Ltd. highlighted the necessity of industry research partnerships with tertiary providers.
- Reuben Smiler – Masters of Architecture (Professional) student and team member of the Te Manaaki o te Marae project as part of the National Science Challenge discussed how tertiary learning can be amplified by participating in real world, social-issues based industry projects.
The Symposium Programme was filled to the brim with a robust selection of student and staff research presentations from Creative Industries, Engineering, Computer Science, Community Development, Healthcare, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Business Practice, Environmental & Animal Sciences, Social Practice and Building Construction & Services.
While attendance numbers were modest in comparison to previous years, the Tuapapa Rangahau team were pleased with the positive response from the Unitec research community, especially the high calibre of abstracts that were submitted for presentation. In retrospect we believe we achieved an event that radiated positive vibes and set the scene for future Research Symposiums.
It was a team effort to put the event together. The Tuapapa Rangahau team thanks the following people for their time and services:
- MC’s: Falaniko Tominiko, Alistair Kirk & Marcus Williams
- Judges: Merran Davis, Denisa Hebblethwaite, Kerry Francis, David Glover, Vanessa Byrnes, Curtis Bristowe, Mary Johnston, Lee Baglow.
- Session Chairs: Nick Kearns, Tennille Stone, Gregor Steinhorn, Christian Probst, Asher Lewis, Roger Birchmore, Ray Jauny, Sinead Hart.
- Unitec Facilities Management & Security
- Shazneen & Andrew from IMS
- Helene & the Mud Pie Deli team
- Stanley Zeng from the Unitec Copy Centre
- And last but not least, the staff and student presenters! Thank you for sharing your research, learnings and knowledge.
Unitec Research Symposium 2018 – Award Winners
Winners of the Research with Impact Award: Glenn Aguilar & Hema Wihongi, with Marcus Williams and Merran Davis
1. Research with Impact
Finalists:
- Geoff Bridgman, Social Practice: “I’ll be happy and smiling all the time” The impact of safety and relational learning for 9-12-year-old children.
- Glenn Aguilar – Environmental & Animal Sciences & Hema Wihongi – Maori Science Research: Drone acquired imagery for characterising ecological restoration areas in Northland.
- Shannon Wallis, Engineering: The Effect of Ventilation on Volatile Organic Compounds Produced in Residential Buildings Under Simulated Occupancy.
- Paula Buckley, Creative Industries: Water Drone 6-year product design project.
Winner: Glenn Aguilar & Hema Wihongi
2. 3 Minute Thesis Competition
Finalists:
- Favsta Fernandez (Masters in Osteopathy): An exploration of whanau/family perspectives on a mobile application (app) for post-stroke care.
- Sianne Smith (Masters in Architecture): Architecture of Perception.
- Xavier Francis (Masters in Computing): Predicting Wear Patterns on Footwear Outsoles.
- Soheil Varastehpour (Doctorate Computer Science): Vein Pattern Recognition based on Deep Learning Algorithms for Forensic Investigation.
- Emily Bowerman (Masters in Landscape Architecture): Reflecting Maori relationships with water in waterscape planning and landscape architecture.
- Kashyap Venkatesh Subramany (Masters in Computing): Distinguishability of people in an ambient assisted living environment.
Winners (Tie for 1st place, no runner up):
- Sianne Smith (Masters in Architecture). Supervisors: Christoph Schnoor & Annabel Pretty
- Emily Bowerman (Masters in Landscape Architecture). Supervisor: Daniel Irving
3. Undergraduate Research Competition
Winners of the Undergraduate Research Programme: Kayla Rench & Phoebe Andrews, with Marcus Williams and Merran Davis
Finalists:
- Rory Carter, Bachelor of Construction: Analysis of the implementation of modular construction in the New Zealand construction industry.
- Zainab Almubarak, Bachelor of Animal Management & Welfare: Attitudes towards cats? A comparison between Saudi Arabia & New Zealand
- Aiona Pamela Suliafu, ECE Bachelor of Teaching: The heart that LISTENS is also HEARD.
- Kayla Rench & Phoebe Andrews, Bachelor of Applied Science: Dissemination of biosecurity information and compliance of ferry passengers travelling to selected islands in the Hauraki Gulf.
Winner of the Deans Award: Associate Professor Melanie Ooi – Head of Engineering Practice Pathway with Marcus Williams and Merran Davis
- Danyon Robertson, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture: A Martian ecology? The role of ecosystem design in the shaping human habitat on Earth and Mars.
Winner: Kayla Rench & Phoebe Andrews, Bachelor of Applied Science. Supervisors: Nigel Adams & Diane Fraser
Runner Up: Zainab Almubarak, Bachelor of Animal Management & Welfare. Supervisors: Nigel Adams & Kris Descovich
4. Deans Award
Recipient: Associate Professor Melanie Ooi – Head of Engineering Practice Pathway