Personal journeys of New Zealand researchers

Listen to New Zealand researchers share their personal career journey and thoughts on what progress has been made to promote diversity and what more can be done.

Associate Professor / Manukura Māui Hudson, University of Waikato

Associate Professor / Manukura Māui Hudson, University of Waikato

Assoc Prof Māui Hudson is the Director of the Te Kotahi Research Institute at the University of Waikato. Māui is an interdisciplinary researcher who focuses on the application of mātauranga Māori to decision-making across a range of contemporary contexts from new technologies to health, the environment to innovation.

Dr Siân Halcrow, Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology at the University of Otago

Sian Halcrow

Siân Halcrow works in the Department of Anatomy at the University of Otago. Read about how she transitioned into a full-time academic career and her thoughts on what we should do to encourage more diversity in science and academia.

Professor Gary Evans, Chief Science Advisor

Dr Lucy Stewart, Marine Microbiologist, GNS Science

Dr Lucy Stewart is an early career researcher and a Marine Microbiologist at GNS Science, She is also a member of the early career research forum hosted by the Royal Society.

Hear Lucy talk about her current research, how she made the transition from studying her PhD, to a full-time career in research science and what further support she feels is needed to increase diversity in New Zealand’s science system.

Dr Kelly Dombroski, Associate Professor at Massey University, School of People, Environment and Planning

Dr Kelly Dombroski is an associate professor in the School of People at Massey University. We caught up with Kelly to ask about her journey from studying a PhD to working in the science and research workforce. You can watch Kelly talk about her experience and what she recommends to help early career researchers make the transition into the workforce.

Dr Kate McGrath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy President of Research at University of Technology Sydney

Dr Kate McGrath

Dr Kate McGrath is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy President, Research at the University of Technology Sydney. She shares her journey from student to sector leader.

Dr Gradon Diprose, Senior Researcher, Environmental Social Science at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research

Dr Gradon Dipose

Dr Gradon Diprose is an Environmental Social Science Researcher at Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research. We caught up with Gradon and asked him to share his journey with us.

Dr Victoria Metcalf, Principal Advisor, Vocational Education and Training Outcomes at the Tertiary Education Commission

Dr Victoria Metcalf currently works at the Tertiary Education Commission as a principal advisor.

Listen to Victoria speak about her background, the barriers she faced when she was studying for her PhD and what she believes we need to do to improve diversity in the science system.

Principal Advisor, Vocational Education and Training Outcomes at the Tertiary Education Commission

Last updated: 19 January 2024