Mauri , and welcome to the latest edition of Doctoral News.

We are pleased to let you know that an external policy specialist has begun reviewing our PhD statutes, policies, and procedures, with the intention of streamlining and separating policy, procedures and guidelines, as part of the Graduate Research Support Model Review.  

We will update you as the mahi progresses. In the meantime, you are invited to re-imagine the PhD of the 21^st century. Consider whether our rules are fit for purpose, outdated, or just plain wrong. Send your thoughts and ideas to Prof JR Rowland, Pro Vice-Chancellor Global and Graduate Research, by filling in the online form before Friday 31 July. You can find the PhD statute and its embedded policies, procedures, and guidelines here.

To mark Kiribati Language Week, we've included a special feature on doctoral candidate Roi Burnett, who hails from this beautiful island nation. Read on to discover more about Roi and her research, as well as news, workshops, notices, opportunities, and resources for every stage of your doctoral journey. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Te Kura Akoranga Tohu Paerua | The School of Graduate Studies (SGS)

News

July highlights

Hungry for some yummy pizza?

SGS and AUSA's Doctoral Pizza Lunch is back! Come along and connect with fellow doctoral candidates, expand your academic network, and enjoy a delicious free meal. The event is open to all doctoral candidates at the University, but make sure you book, as we are unable to accommodate walk-ins.

Monday 27 July: Doctoral Pizza Lunch (City Campus).

Is conflict stressing you out?

In this webinar, Desiree Dickerson explores how to recognise key triggers for conflict in academic and supervisory relationships, develop tools to approach important discussions, and navigate potential clashes. Desiree is a former neuroscience postdoctoral researcher and clinical psychologist who has turned her attention to supporting positive change in habits, behaviours and thought patterns in those striving to perform well under pressure. 

Wednesday 15 July: Drama-Free Doctorates: Managing Conflict (Zoom)

What's on

21 July: AUSA Special General Meeting at 12.30pm (Student Quad or join via Teams)
22 July: Doctoral Drop-In Session for FMHS and Liggins at 12pm (Grafton Campus)

Candidature Essentials

4 September: Word Thesis Formatting (Zoom)
Ongoing: English Language Learning Groups (City Campus)
Ongoing: Writing in English Workshops (City Campus)

Research Knowledge and Skills

22 July: Managing Research Data (Zoom)
29 July: AI for Literature Reviews (Zoom)
30 July: Writing a Data Management Plan ​​​(Zoom)
30 July: Introduction to the Command Line: Unix Shell (Zoom)
14 August: Introduction to AI-Assisted Workflows for Qualitative Analyses (Zoom)
26 August: Responsible AI in Research (Zoom)
15 September: AI for Literature Reviews (Zoom)

Communication, Influence and Impact

15 July: Impact Is an Entrepreneurial Process (Zoom)
15-16 July: Media SAVVY for Māori Researchers: Science Media Centre (Auckland)
17 July: University of Auckland 3MT Final (City Campus)
28 July: Publishing your Research (Zoom)
30 July: Tips on Communicating your Research: Science Media Centre (Zoom)
4 August: Language Enrichment for Doctoral Candidates (City Campus)
5 August: Visual Storytelling for Research Posters (City Campus)
6 August: Ngā Ara Whetū Pecha Kucha (City Campus)
10 August: NEW! Introduction to Research Impact (Zoom)
17 August: NEW! Planning for Research Impact (Zoom)
19 August: Abstract Writing (City Campus)
19 August: Designing Research Posters (Zoom)
7 September: Literature Review: Organising and Writing (City Campus)
23 September: Elevate Your Online Presentation Skills with Hugh Kearns (Zoom)
23 September: Presenting your Research (Grafton Campus)

Collaboration and Leadership

15 July: Drama-Free Doctorates: Managing Conflict with Desiree Dickerson (Zoom)​​​​​​
27 July: Doctoral Pizza Lunch (City Campus)

Career Development

15-17 July: Research to Start-up Bootcamp (City Campus)
20 July to 7 August: Job Search Bootcamp: various workshops (City Campus and Zoom)
10 August to 13 October: Workplace Insights Programme (City Campus)
2 September: How to Write a Narrative CV (Zoom)

Candidates in the spotlight

Notices

Clarity on "theses including publication"

We encourage you to explore our new resource which provides clear advice for all doctoral candidates who intend to include publications in their theses. Guidance for Candidates: Doctoral Theses including Publication should be read in conjunction with the Doctoral Thesis Policy and Procedures.

Coursework enrolment reminder

If you require an enrolment in coursework as part of your doctoral confirmation milestones, or a change in an existing enrolment in any approved confirmation milestone course, you should under no circumstances attempt to enrol yourself in coursework or modify an existing coursework enrolment using Student Services Online. Find out more.

Student-facing teams are on the move

Several student-facing teams are relocating from the Kate Edger Information Commons to Old Choral Hall this month. The teams include Career Development and Employability Services (CDES), DELNA, English Language Enrichment, Campus Care, Student Engagement, and Student Equity and Wellbeing. Learn more.

How to prevent ethics application delays

If you select the wrong "Application Type" in a resubmitted ethics application, the Ethics Team can't see your application, which causes delays. Ensure you have chosen the correct application type in section 1.a.2 of the new Human Ethics Forms, section L of the old AHREC form, and section 13 of the old UAHPEC form. If you make a mistake, contact the Ethics Team via the "Correspondence" feature in your ethics application. Read more.

Get ready for the new GenAI Guidelines

The University's Generative AI in Doctoral Research Guidelines take effect on Tuesday 1 September. Prepare to Discuss-Document-Declare by exploring the following resources:

• Guidelines: Generative AI in Doctoral Research Guidelines
• Canvas module: AI Essentials
• Online workshop: AI for Literature Reviews (Wednesday 29 July)
• Online workshop: Responsible AI in Research (Wednesday 26 August)
• Resources: Introduction to GenAI in Doctoral Research 
  (including discussion guides, example usage logs, declaration forms, and more)

Scene around at 3MT

The Engineering 3MT Faculty Heat took place on Thursday 25 June. Winner Faith Culas, as well as Dan Bain, who competed in the Open Heat, will be taking part in the University of Auckland 3MT Final on Friday 17 July. All are welcome to come and cheer on the finalists – bring your friends and whānau too. Book your free tickets here.

Opportunities

Internships at Tech Mahindra, India

Four doctoral candidates will have the opportunity to undertake an internship at Tech Mahindra’s Makers Lab in Pune, India, in October/November this year. It is designed to provide hands-on experience in emerging technology domains, with a focus on innovation, applied research, and industry collaboration. The opportunity is open to candidates from Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Engineering, Design, and related fields aligned with emerging technology and innovation. Closing date: Monday 20 July. Apply here.

Want to win a share of $100k?

All staff and students at the University of Auckland are invited to enter their start-up plan in the annual Velocity $100k Challenge, organised by the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). You can win a share of the $100,000 prize pool as seed capital and the opportunity to kickstart your venture by taking part in the Venture Lab incubator programme. Closing date: Monday 10 August. Find out more.

Kate Edger Foundation research awards

Applications have opened for the Kate Edger Foundation's Post-Doctoral Research Awards, and the Post-Doctoral Research Award for Arts and Humanities. The awards are worth $16,000 each and assist women who have qualified to graduate with a doctoral degree within the last three years to carry out research on a limited term project. Closing date: Tuesday 21 July. Apply here.

Scholarship winners

Three Fulbright awards for FMHS

Warm congratulations to the three doctoral candidates from FMHS who have won 2026 Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Awards.

Ebony Komene will research Indigenous nursing at Washington State University in Seattle and Indigenous nurse practitioner models of practice at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawai’i. Learn more about Ebony.

Nikki Singh will research the interplay of illness and identity for young adults living with autoimmune diseases at Stanford University in California. Read more about Nikki.

Sarah Hunter will research childhood bone and joint infections at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Fulbright is currently accepting applications for its 2027 Awards by New Zealand graduate students who wish to undertake postgraduate study or research at US institutions in any field. Closing date: Saturday 1 August. Apply here.