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Six associate professors have been appointed in a significant new step that recognises EIT’s growing academic strength as a tertiary educator. “While we have appointed a number of professors to the institution to date,” says chief executive Chris Collins, “we have not previously provided opportunity for international appointments of this nature.”

The recommendation to create the positions came out of an independent review commissioned last year of EIT-wide research – “and it was one I was very pleased to act on,” Mr Collins said.

Associate professors Peter Bray, Rachel Forrest, Carl Paton and Michael Verhaart are based at EIT in Taradale while Steve Gibbs and Derek Lardelli are at Gisborne’s Tairäwhiti campus.

Dr Bray’s research work on the theory and practice of grief counselling focuses on issues of loss and spiritual experience in adolescence.

Mr Gibbs is a painter whose works have been exhibited extensively, nationally and internationally. He is leading a project around painted waka hoe collected by Captain James Cook for a major exhibition in 2013.

Dr Forrest’s expertise in qualitative research has contributed to health research projects at EIT, while she continues to collaborate with Lincoln University colleagues on genetics research.

New Zealand’s leading Tä Moko expert , Mr Lardelli is highly regarded for work across a variety of art media and his cultural consultancy roles.

Dr Paton’s research interests in the field of applied sport science, particularly in cycling and nutritional supplements have influenced training regimes and athletic performance internationally.

Focused on the use of the internet to enhance learning, Dr Verhaart’s research encompasses virtual teaching frameworks and online learning management systems.