Sunrise over Cape Kidnappers and Atea a Rangi, Napier, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
The 2019 ITP Research symposium focused on Whanaungatanga – Community-Centred Research will be co-hosted by Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and Otago Polytechnic on 15-16 April 2019 at the EIT campus in Taradale. This year’s symposium is shaping up to be the largest yet, both in number of presentations and in numbers of delegates expected.
Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau, Research Manager at EIT and part of the organising committee said there has been an overwhelming response since the call for abstracts: “We received over 85 abstracts for presentations and 20 proposals for artworks from researchers all over the country. We currently have more than 165 delegates registered to attend and registrations are still open, ” says Pippa.
All 15 research-active Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) are represented in the programme focussing on the tangible impacts of Community-Centred research. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase how strong we are at working together across the sector and that research in ITPs is alive and well,” says Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau.
Three internationally-recognised speakers will present keynotes: Hörður Torfason, a human rights campaigner and “artivist” from Iceland who will discuss social activism and leadership. Torfason will speak alongside Sally J Morgan, Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts at Massey University, and Associate Professor Carla Houkamau, from the Department of Management and International Business at the University of Auckland.
This is the first time that the symposium will be held at EIT Hawke’s Bay and presentations will cover four key themes: Community Health and Wellbeing, Inspired Teaching and Learning, Engaged Arts and Sustainable Environments.
A key thread within each of the streams is kaupapa Māori research and the symposium has been granted generous funding by the New Zealand Māori Centre for Research Excellence (Ngā Pae of Te Māramatanga).
Each presentation represents an example of applied, community-based research. The topics range from public bike-sharing systems, cultural competency in the medical profession, the Campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North and waste minimisation, to Kapa Haka as a pedagogical instrument.
One highlight of the symposium will be a concert by EIT Professor Matthew Marshall (guitar) with Tessa Petersen (violin) alongside Heleen du Plessis (cello), narrated by Dame Kate Harcourt and Sir Jon Trimmer. The concert is taking place at Napier’s MTG on Monday, 15 April at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend the concert. The cost is $10 per person, payable at the door.
EIT will be showcasing sustainable event management practices for the symposium, operating on a paper-free low waste basis. The name tags for instance, will be made from wildflower seed paper.
The symposium is open to the public and free to attend. Online registration closes on Friday, 29 March: http://itpresearch.ac.nz/2019-symposium/registration-itp-symposium-2019/.