Doctoral Projects

Louise Mahinarangi, Kewene-Doig (Tainui/ Ngāti Maniapoto), University of Otago

Waratah, Taogaga (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi), The University of Auckland

How can we - indigenous peoples, navigate spaces where cultural awareness is not normalised? There is an abundance of literature that recognizes the connected nature of indigeneity and social psychology (Johnathan Friedman, 1994; Geertz, Clifford, 1973; Maaka, Roger C.A. (1994) Walker, Ranginui (1989a) , how people are able to define an indigenous identity (Alan Chadwick 2021; Hilary Weaver 2001, Taylor, D. M., & Kachanoff, F. J, A Wilson 1996) and the influence indigeneity has on identity (Paradies 2006, Jackson, S. J., & Hokowhitu, B. (2002) Forte, M. C. (Ed.). (2013).

Meri Haami (Iwi affiliation Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Victoria University of Wellington

Petera Hudson (Te Whakatoohea), Waikato University

This research takes the position that technologies using AI techniques are promoting a diversity crisis throughout industry, academia, and society. These techniques are amplifying biased stereotypes that are now being observed in automated systems.

This research will examine the ways in which my whānau, members of Te Uri o Patumoana rāua ko Raikete Amoamo, seek to respond to dominant, colonially influenced technologies, and to explore approaches that ensure a new form of colonial oppression does not become a reality.

Paia Taani (Ngāi Tūhoi, Ngāti Whare, Te Upokorehe, Ngāti Wakaue

The aim of this research is to investigate whanau use of te reo Maori in order to support, inform and influence current and future intergenerational transmission of te reo Maori. The purpose is to contribute to the revitalisation of te reo Maori.

Morgan Jones (Ngāi Tahu), The University of Otago

The heterogenic nature of cancer and the ability for cancers to undergo metastasis has presented researchers with a major hurdle towards finding a cure or preventive measures for cancer development. Although cancer metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths, the underlying mechanisms or mutational events that cause metastasis have not been identified. 

Cell free DNA (cfDNA) in human body fluids is made up of short DNA fragments around 160-180bp; results from recent studies suggest that tumour derived cfDNA, termed circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is present in the blood of cancer patients. DNA methylation changes occur early during tumorigenesis and metastasis and are present throughout the entire cancer process, thus suggesting that methylation pattern analysis of ctDNA may provide a robust and achievable approach for identifying the likely presence of secondary tumours and finding predictor markers of cancer metastasis.