Episode 1:
Professors Simon Kingham and Thomas Wilson discuss their roles as Chief Science Advisors and how researchers can better connect with policymakers.
“I do actually think we have a responsibility to talk to the media because certainly in my field there was so much misunderstanding and misinformation that actually we need to communicate what the science is telling us,” says Professor Simon Kingham.
Professor Tom Wilson offers the best advice he has been given during his research career which is “be kind… be useful and work out what your strengths are and know what your limitations are.”
- Both highly recommended both UC’s internal supports and trainings for academics, as well as the workshops provided by the New Zealand Science Media Centre - Science Media Centre.
- They also encouraged early career academics to reach out and get involved through the Chief Science Advisor’s forum. They highlighted there are a range of bigger and smaller ways to get involved through the Office of the PMCSA | Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor.
Episode 2:
Professor Elizabeth Macpherson and Dr. John Reid discuss Vision Mātauranga and how they consider and apply this in their research.
The Ministry of Research, Science, and Technology created the Vision Mātauranga policy framework to harness the innovative potential of Māori people, expertise, and resources to help New Zealanders build a better future.
“You're not only generating an academic impact, you're seeing your work flow into the world to change the world,” says Dr Reid.
- Early career researchers are encouraged to think about Vision Mātauranga when beginning their research. Learn more about Vision Mātauranga: Vision Mātauranga | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
- Research & Innovation support for UC researchers looking to learn more and embed Vision Mātauranga in their research is provided by the Kaiārahi Māori Research team Māori research partnerships | University of Canterbury
Episode 3:
Senior Lecturers Above the Bar Rebecca Peer and Tom Logan discuss engaging with industry partners in their research. They also reflect on some of the unique challenges for Early Career Researchers and strategies for maximising research impact.
Senior Lecturer Above the Bar Rebecca Peer highlighted the importance of time to build strong partnerships, saying “I think you need time, you need time to prove to people that you know what you're talking about, for them to see the value in your work and I think the story that a lot of us have in our heads when we come into the academic job is that we can just do everything and we can do it all right now.”
Senior Lecturer Above the Bar Tom Logan highlighted the importance of fostering good relationships and communication between decision-makers and scientists, saying “There's so much really urgent work that we need to be doing to better understand [risk]. … We're making really important decisions that affect lots of people and we have to have that scientific rigour.”
- Want to learn more about how to partner with UC Engineering | Pūhanga? Learn more here: Industry Engagement Contacts | University of Canterbury
- Learn more about how to engage with industry and other stakeholders through MBIE’s standards on industry engagement: Improving standards for a better New Zealand
Episode 4:
Drs. Dalila Gharbaoui and Suli Vunibola discuss engaging with community partners in their research. They reflect on the challenges and opportunities for community collaboration to maximise research impact.
Dr. Dalila Gharbaoui discussed the importance of community engagement, saying “I see researchers really as channeling knowledge from the communities at the grassroots level. It's really the voice of the people… my intention when I do my work is really to contribute that knowledge and making sure that the voice of the people and communities most impacted are heard and are heard at different levels.”
Dr. Suli Vunibola discusses different forms of knowledge and their value. “If you want to go to the moon and build techno-infrastructural systems, then you need modern science and technology. If you want to understand the biodiversity of forest systems in an indigenous community, in Fiji, then Indigenous Knowledge is very important. So understanding the value and the place of those intelligence and knowledge systems that exist can also contribute to cognitive justice. Valuing people, valuing their knowledge systems and valuing what they do.”
Learn more about their approach to community engagement in some of their publications:
- Gharbaoui D. (2023) Staying with Dignity: Climate-related immobility in the Pacific. Rio to Dubai Climate Challenges and Global Cooperations, Future for Advanced Research and Studies Eds.
- Vunibola S. (2023) “Want to help someone? Shut up and listen”: Foreign aid, maladaptation, and community development practices. Pacific Development Policy Review.
Learn more about Co-designing with consumers, whānau and communities with resources from Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission.
