Welcome to the April edition of the Aotearoa noticeboard, a bi-monthly update with news and opportunities from around the higher education sector.
If you have any resources, news, research or opportunities to share that are relevant to the Aotearoa higher education sector, please contact Research and Engagement Officer Ellen Kirkpatrick.
News from dassh
Aotearoa Budget Wrap
Monday 26 May
1pm – 2.30pm (NZT)
All Aotearoa members are invited to an online member gathering where we will do a deep dive on the budget being handed down on 22 May. It is also an opportunity for members to share insights with each other and discuss strategies in response. We will encourage members to participate in a conversation with colleagues.
The calendar invitation should be in your inboxes. Please pass on to colleagues who may be interested.
If you haven’t received any information about this, or have any questions please get in contact.
Aotearoa Member Gathering
We were thrilled to be welcomed in Aotearoa recently to meet with members from all over the country. DASSH Vice President Cynthia White and her colleagues hosted around 20 members at Massey University.
It was great to have members attend from University of Waikato, University of Otago, University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington and meet each other for the first time. DASSH President Heather Zwicker and Executive Director Jane Ryan also travelled from Australia to attend.
Members had the opportunity to share their insights and strategies during a difficult time for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences in Aotearoa.
Jane Ryan also travelled to Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington to meet with members and representatives from Lincoln University, University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University.
We would like to thank our Aotearoa members for their warm and generous hospitality and look forward to the next gathering.
See photos from the member gathering
Essential Insights presentation available
It was wonderful to be joined by so many members across Australia and Aotearoa for the second webinar in our Essential Insights series. You can now watch the presentation on Psychosocial Safety and Wellbeing led by Professor Paula Geldens and Dr Rachael Potter from University of South Australia.
The next webinar on Communication and Media Strategy takes place on Wednesday 18 June, 2pm-3pm (NZT).
Watch the Psychosocial Safety and Wellbeing presentation
Sign up for the June webinar on Communication and Media Strategy
Around the traps
Aotearoa Budget 2025
The Minister of Finance, the Honourable Nicola Willis, will deliver the Aotearoa Budget on 22 May 2025. DASSH will bring you news of the budget and opportunity to discuss any outcomes when it is released. Please feel free to contact us if you require any further information or support during this time.
Find out more
University Advisory Group report 2025
The University Advisory Group will deliver its final report imminently with advice on Aotearoa’s university system. The final report along with the interim report and all public submissions will be made public once considered by the Cabinet.
See more
Trade routes: charting new pathways from secondary school to industry training
A new report published by The New Zealand Initiative highlights how vocational education initiatives operate as fragmented ‘add-ons’ rather than forming a coherent pathway equivalent to trades and industry training. It recommends unifying vocational programmes into clear pathways to university.
See report
Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows announced
Twenty-three new Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows have been elected to the Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Fellowships recognise researchers, scholars, and innovators throughout Aotearoa who have achieved excellence in their various disciplines across science, technology, and the humanities.
See Fellows
Keep politics out of research funding
An article published in Newsroom argues funding bodies are losing independence from government oversight and the prioritisation of short-term economic returns. Authors Mirjam Schindler, Marcela Palomino-Schalscha, Mairead de Roiste and Brendon Blue raise concern on the threat to Indigenous communities.
Read more
International students back to pre-pandemic levels
Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Welan has said that the eight universities in Aotearoa had approximately 20,000 full-time equivalent international students. John Gerritsen from RNZ writes this is about 1000 more than 2018, and 1000 less than the beginning of 2019.
See more
Aotearoa deepens education ties with India
An article in RNZ has reported several education initiatives were announced during the Aotearoa Prime Minister’s recent trip to India. This includes ratifying a cooperation arrangement between the education ministries of both countries to strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Aotearoa.
Read more
Universities should not assume funding
John Gerritsen from RNZ reports the Tertiary Education Commission has indicated some tertiary institutions could face funding cuts next year. The Commission’s guidance warned course and qualification completion rates need to improve and total funding available for tertiary education is limited.
See more
Defending democracy
The Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures has shifted to becoming an independent organisation. Sir Peter Gluckman, the managing trustee of the centre, reflects on this move and asks what it takes to sustain democracy in an opinion piece in The Post.
Read more
The power of dance in social inclusion
Professor Nicholas Rowe, the UNESCO Chair in Dance and Social Inclusion shares knowledge about how researchers are discovering how dance lights up multiple parts of the brain. He says dance has the power to bring people and communities together.
See more
Trust in media stabilising
The Science Media Centre asked experts from various Aotearoa universities to comment on recent findings that approximately 60% of citizens are ‘uncomfortable’ with news produced by AI.
Read responses
Opportunities
Falling Walls Lab Aotearoa New Zealand
Students and early-career professionals from all disciplines from Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific Island Forum nations are invited to participate in Falling Walls Lab interdisciplinary pitch competition.
Applications close 30 April 2025.
See eligibility
Call for nominations for Fellows
The Academy of the Royal Society Te Apārangi is calling for nominations for new Fellows, Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi, and Honorary Fellows, Ngā Ahurei Honore a Te Apārangi. Fellowship of the Society is conferred for distinction in research or the outcomes resulting from intellectual endeavour.
Nominations will close on 30 June 2025.
View more details
dassh Events
Aotearoa Budget Wrap
Monday 26 May
1pm – 2.30pm (NZT)
All Aotearoa members are invited to an online member gathering where we will do a deep dive on the budget being handed down on 22 May. It is also an opportunity for members to share insights with each other and discuss strategies in response. We will encourage members to participate in a conversation with colleagues.
Get in touch if you’d like to attend
Essential Insights series
See the full schedule and register now for the 2025 Essential Insights online webinar series.
Communication and Media Strategy
Wednesday 18 June
2pm – 3pm (NZT)
Online
Social Cohesion
Wednesday 20 August
2pm – 3pm (NZT)
Online
2025 Policy Wrap-Up
Wednesday 19 November
2pm – 3pm (NZT)
Online
2025 DASSH conference
Wednesday 24 September – Friday 26 September
Sydney
Make sure you have the dates marked in your calendar for the DASSH 2025 conference. Global Contexts: Leading education in an age of global disruption brings together leaders in the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences to explore the challenges and opportunities of teaching and research in an era of rapid global change.
Details on program and registration coming soon.
dassh Networks
Associate Deans (Research) Community of Practice
The Community of Practice is comprised of Associate Deans (Research) across member institutions. The group meets regularly to discuss spotlighted topics, share resources and guidance for addressing common challenges.
If you are interested in participating please get in contact with us.
Remember: ADRs are warmly invited to attend both the Aotearoa and Australian events! There is huge value in hearing from your colleagues on either side of the Tasman.
Aotearoa
Staff Fatigue and Morale Issues
Tuesday 6 May
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Restructures and Unstable Leadership
Tuesday 1 July
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Cross-disciplinary and Inter-University Collaborations
Tuesday 9 September
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Balancing Research Expectations
Tuesday 4 November
12pm-1pm (NZT)
Online
Australia
Approaches to Interdisciplinary Research
Wednesday 12 June
2pm – 3pm (NZT)
Online
Recognising Non-Traditional Research
Wednesday 13 August
2pm – 3pm (NZT)
Online
Implications of De-Casualisation
Tuesday 11 November
2pm – 3pm (NZT)
Online
Aotearoa Events
Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tāmaki
Tuesday 13 May – Sunday 18 May
Auckland
The Festival brings the very best local and international writers of contemporary fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists and thinkers together with audiences to explore ideas, share stories and experience brilliant conversations.
See program
Research Innovation Forum: a spotlight on health research impact
Tuesday 20 May
9am – 4pm
University of Otago, Wellington
The Forum brings together policy makers, industry, researchers and those working in health to a series of short talks and panel discussions discussing the health of Aotearoa. The major themes include healthy Aotearoa, sustainable science, emerging enterprise and health discoveries in space.
Register