TĀ M A K I M A K AU R AU AU C K L A N D
NGĀ MIHI THANK YOU TO OUR KAITAUTOKO PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
SUPPORTED BY THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT WITH FUNDING FROM THE MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT. 2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA Congratulations to the winners of the Research Honours Aotearoa 2023! Our celebrated awards recognise researchers in New Zealand who have achieved excellence in scholarship, innovation, or made significant contributions to Aotearoa through their research and career. Hosted by Royal Society Te Apārangi, these annual awards are championed by New Zealand’s research community and its associated networks. We acknowledge our partners the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden for their continued support and sponsorship, as well as all others who have contributed to this year’s Research Honours Aotearoa. We are enormously proud of our winners and their outstanding achievements. Mauri ora! DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR GEOFF CHASE FRSNZ ACADEMY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
MEDALS AND AWARDS 2023 This year, we are hosting three smaller, regional events.
TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND
ŌTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH
On Wednesday 8 November we announce five medals and awards.
On Wednesday 15 November we are in Christchurch to recognise the 150th anniversary of the University of Canterbury and to announce four further medals and awards.
» Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Excellence Award for Social Science » Royal Society Te Apārangi Te Kōpūnui Māori Research Award
» Cooper Award
» Mason Durie Medal
» Humanities Aronui Medal
» Te Rangaunua Hiranga Māori Award
» Pickering Medal
» Thomson Medal
2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
» Hector Medal
TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA WELLINGTON On Thursday 23 November we announce a further seven awards and medals, and three Health Research Council (HRC) medals.
A full listing of this year’s illustrious winners, and previous winners dating back to the early days of the Society can be found on royalsociety.org.nz/medals-and-awards
» Hamilton Award » Scott Medal » Te Rangi Hiroa Medal » Hutton Medal » HRC Liley Medal » HRC Te Tohu Rapuora Medal » HRC Beaven Medal » Callaghan Medal » MacDiarmid Medal » Rutherford Medal
RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI EARLY CAREER RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES For emerging researchers in social sciences
DR MARIA ARMOUDIAN Director - University Research Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society Faculty of Arts, Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau ADDRESSING BIG SOCIETAL ISSUES Presented for research, leadership and mentoring to advance interconnected goals of sustainability, human rights and good governance. Dr Armoudian’s third book, ‘Lawyers Beyond Borders: Advancing International Human Rights through Local Laws & Courts’ – the basis of her nomination for this award – represents the definitive work on the inception and development of a global movement to redress survivors of egregious human rights violations, such as genocide and torture. Based on court records, government, NGO and media reports and interviews with advocates and survivors, Lawyers Beyond Borders examines the 40-year pursuit to redress and restore human rights for those whom international legal-political systems have failed, and efforts to build new pathways to justice, using human ingenuity, ideas and creative advocacy.
2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI TE KŌPŪNUI MĀORI RESEARCH For an early career researcher with a promising trajectory who is delivering innovative Māori research
DR HINEKURA SMITH Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Ati Awa Interim Director - Ngā Wai a te Tūi Māori & Indigenous Research Centre, Unitec | Te Pūkenga RECLAIMING, RESTORING AND REVISIONING LIVING AS WĀHINE MĀORI Presented for her PhD research titled ‘Whatuora: Whatu kākahu and living as Māori women’. Dr Hinekura Smith worked with eight Māori women for this research, preparing and weaving kākahu (traditionally made Māori cloaks). During their making, her collaborators told stories of reclaiming, restoring and revisioning ‘living as Māori’ for themselves and their whānau. Whatuora offers a way to think about the transforming changes Māori women create through deliberate and conscious actions to live as Māori. It is through togetherness that we can grow wellness, achievement and excellence, Hinekura theorises.
RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
MASON DURIE MEDAL Awarded to New Zealand's pre-eminent social scientist. Recognising an outstanding contribution to the social sciences that, while originating in New Zealand, has had an international impact
PROFESSOR STEPHEN MAY FRSNZ Faculty of Education and Social Work Director - Master of Regional Development Programme, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau LANGUAGE RIGHTS AND INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE REVITALISATION Presented for his interdisciplinary scholarship and his leadership as a world authority on language policy, language rights, Indigenous language revitalisation and the multilingual turn in language learning. Professor May's work on language rights and revitalisation spans the disciplines of applied linguistics and sociolinguistics, sociology, political theory, education and law. His research focuses on how modern nation-states can best manage diversity in this increasingly globalised and superdiverse age, particularly in relation to language and education policy. He is renowned for bridging previously closed disciplinary academic discussions. His work has been influential far and wide from Aotearoa’s language education policy to international forums on linguistic human rights.
2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
TE RANGAUNUA HIRANGA MĀORI AWARD Recognising excellent, innovative co-created research by Māori, that has made a distinctive contribution to community wellbeing and development in Aotearoa
PROFESSOR REGAN POTANGAROA Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa School of Built Environment, Massey University Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa A CAREER COMMITTED TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND MARAE RESTORATION Presented for his devoted career as an engineer and architect for humanitarian deployments, emergency response and restoring marae. Professor Potangaroa’s work has spanned from working with hapū to save marae; to developing drone technologies to locate bodies buried in unmarked graves in urupā after Spanish Influenza swept through Wairarapa Māori in 1920; to the response and recovery following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, where his research led to relocating paua. Professor Potangaroa has completed more than 200 humanitarian deployments in 22 countries since 1996, which has formed the core of his ethics and research as an academic. His expertise includes leading large teams in rebuilding damaged communities’ post-disaster, and he is currently working with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for the Asia-Pacific region.
RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
THOMSON MEDAL For outstanding contributions to the organisation, support and application of science or technology
PROFESSOR NICOLA GASTON Faculty of Science & Co-Director - MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau BOLD LEADERSHIP FOR EQUITY IN THE RSI SYSTEM Over the past decade, Professor Gaston has provided significant, transformative leadership to research institutes and societies in New Zealand. This includes her role as President of the New Zealand Association of Scientists, her work as a ‘driver for change’ for increasing equity for women in science through her book, Why Science is Sexist, and her role Co-Directing the MacDiarmid Institute at the time of its fourth rebid with a new focus on sustainability. Threaded throughout is the vocal, ambitious and optimistic dedication to equity as a path to science excellence for which she has become well known in New Zealand and globally.
2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
DR NIC BLAKELEY DEPUTY SECRETARY LABOUR, SCIENCE AND ENTERPRISE MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all winners of the 2023 Research Honours Aotearoa. The passion, curiosity, and drive shown by these researchers across a variety of disciplines is inspiring. Excellent research and innovation create the knowledge and tools needed to make decisions, tackle complex global challenges, and grow Aotearoa New Zealand for all. It enhances lives, boosts productivity, and preserves our environment. All winners can be immensely proud of their outstanding work and dedication. I can’t wait to see what it leads to next. Ka rawe! RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
PROFESSOR GILL DOBBIE FRSNZ
PROFESSOR SUNNY COLLINGS
CHAIR, MARSDEN FUND COUNCIL TE PŪTEA RANGAHAU A MARSDEN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND
The Marsden Fund Council is delighted to have supported many of the excellent researchers recognised in this year’s Research Honours Aotearoa. It is heartening to see recognition for an increasing engagement in mātauranga Māori – an effort we commend for its potential positive impact on the under-representation of Māori in academia. Fundamental, ‘blue-sky’ research is crucial to ensuring a healthy, vibrant and resilient research culture in Aotearoa, capable of addressing major societal challenges. It is important that we continue to develop capability within Aotearoa through our emerging researchers.
2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
The Health Research Council is committed to supporting and growing a diverse health research workforce whose research can help Aotearoa New Zealand meet current and future health challenges and advance the health of all New Zealanders. We are proud to partner with Royal Society Te Apārangi to celebrate the significant achievements of some of our country’s outstanding researchers.
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION, RESEARCH THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, AND WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES
RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
NAU MAI HOKI MAI How inspiring it is to reflect on the work of our illustrious winners! Our awards and medals provide an opportunity to honour their many talents and celebrate the passion they demonstrate for their areas of expertise. It is important that we celebrate our top researchers and recognise their achievements. Recognition extends appreciation and encouragement. It also provides a valuable marker for the role of evidence-based research and rigour, which are key for the many future challenges and exciting opportunities ahead. For Aotearoa New Zealand to be guided and inspired by science and research, it is important to acknowledge excellence and best practice, and celebrate the high-quality work of our research community. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini success is not individual but collective, and we extend our thanks to all the colleagues and whānau of the winners who have supported them. Our warmest congratulations to this year’s winners. Ka rawe! DR BRENT CLOTHIER FRSNZ PRESIDENT, ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI
2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA
DR BRENT CLOTHIER
RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023
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Royal Society Te Apārangi 11 Turnbull Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 PO Box 598, Wellington 6140, New Zealand T +64 4 472 7421 Published November 2023 Version 0.1