Fakaalofa lahi atu . Welcome to the latest edition of Doctoral News, and happy Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue – Niue Language Week.

We're excited to share that our 2026 Research Showcase public exhibition opened today! We encourage you to come along and explore this wonderful display of doctoral research, cast your vote for the People's Choice Award and support your fellow doctoral candidates.

Read on to learn more, plus discover news, workshops, notices, scholarships, and resources for every stage of your doctoral journey. 

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

News

Research Showcase Exhibition now open 

Our 2026 Research Showcase Public Exhibition is now open! Come along and explore the doctoral academic posters and images in the Science Foyer (302 Ground Floor) City Campus! 20-22 October, Science Foyer (302 Ground Floor) City Campus.

Vote for your favourite poster and image

Choose your favourite academic poster and research image and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award before 5pm on Thursday 22 October.  Vote now.

If you are unable to come to the exhibition in person, you can also check out the academic posters and research images via Figshare.

Interactive Exhibition and Prizegiving Reception

Join us at the interactive exhibition and prizegiving, where you can chat to the doctoral candidates behind the research, and see who has won prizes for their posters and images. Book your ticket. 22 October, 4-6pm.

Best Doctoral Thesis 2025 Awards celebrated

A warm congratulations to the recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis 2025, who were honoured at the University's Celebrating Research Excellence awards last week. The winners were Cam Hoffbeck (Faculty of Science), Connor Pearson (Faculty of Engineering and Design), Julia Musgrave (Auckland Bioengineering Institute), 
Mark de Hora (Liggins Institute) and Matthew Galloway (Faculty of Arts and Education). Learn more about the Celebrating Research Awards.

New platform available: Kanapu Connect

Kanapu Connect is a connection and navigation platform designed to improve knowledge, access, and connection for users within the research, science, innovation and technology (RSIT) sector. The platform is built for Māori in RSIT, but accessible for all who wish to contribute to improved system navigation. Use Kanapu Connect to find others, organisations and opportunities within the RSIT sector - all in one place. Make a profile on Kanapu Connect.

Opportunities

Don't miss out on DELP! 

Don't miss out on the Doctoral Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme, a free, year-long programme that will help you to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, explore diverse career pathways and gain insights into the wider innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. You’ll also build valuable networks and develop skills you can apply across academia, industry, government, social enterprise and beyond. Applications close on 1 November 2026. Apply now.

Academic Career Perspectives: Service

In our final Academic Career Perspectives Series workshop this week, we will explore what academic citizenship can look like. Our guest speakers will also share advice on how you can begin to demonstrate citizenship now, as you prepare for an academic career. 23 October. Register now.

PVC Global and Graduate Research's Doctoral Community Update

Join Professor JR Rowland (PVC Global and Graduate Research), senior members of the School of Graduate Studies, and AUSA representatives for a webinar-style update on the Graduate Research Support Model Review. Changes in management and student support structures, and opportunities for student representation will be discussed. There will be plenty of time for Q&A, so bring your questions about the future of doctoral programmes and support services. 30 October. Register now.

What's on

Candidature essentials

22 October: Fellowship Writing Essentials for Doctoral Students (City Campus)
4 November: Literature review: Organising and writing workshop (City Campus)
10 November: Abstract writing workshop (City Campus)
20 November: Word Thesis Formatting (Zoom)
Ongoing: English Language Learning Groups (City Campus)
Ongoing: Writing in English Workshops (City Campus)

Career development

11 November: Explore Your Career Direction: Two-Part Workshop (City Campus)
23 October:  Academic Career Perspectives: Service (Zoom)
25 November: Explore Your Career Direction: Two-Part Workshop (City Campus)
29 October: Researcher Skills and Career Planning for Academia and Beyond (Zoom)
1 November: Doctoral Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme applications close (City Campus)

Research environment

On-demand course: Academic and Research Integrity
On-demand: He Korowai Mātauranga

Research knowledge and skills

21 October: Responsible AI in Research (Zoom)
22 October: NEW: Making AI Speak Your Research Language: An Introduction to Fine-Tuning LLMs (Zoom) 
22 October: Prompt engineering for research: A hands-on introduction
27 October: AI for Literature Reviews (Zoom)
29 October: Introduction to version control with Git (Zoom)
2 November: Research Ethics Advice – Drop‑in Sessions for Postgraduate Students (Zoom)
3 November: Managing research data (Zoom)
4-5 November: Introduction to Deep Learning (Zoom)
16 November: Research Ethics Advice – Drop‑in Sessions for Postgraduate Students (Zoom)

Communication, influence and impact

20-22 October: SGS Research Showcase public exhibition (City Campus)
21 October: Essentials of Research Grant Writing (Zoom)
2 November: Who is Listening? Research Impact in the New Space Race (Zoom)

Notices

Research to Start-up Bootcamp 

Apply now for the Research to Start-up Bootcamp programme, a free three-day programme helping researchers turn ideas into real-world opportunities. This programme is open to all University of Auckland doctoral candidates. Learn more.

Venture Lab

Take your start-up to the next level! Venture Lab is a free, six-month incubator offering early-stage ventures tailored mentoring, funding opportunities and industry connections to help grow their businesses and prepare for investment. Learn more.

Check out the Academic English Hub 

The Academic English Hub is an online resource designed to support postgraduate students across all disciplines, with interactive modules on reading, writing, listening, grammar, thesis writing and other academic communication skills. Learn more.

Doctoral graduates in the spotlight

Dr Maqsood Rezayee | Engineering and Design

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, Maqsood Rezayee made a harrowing escape from Kabul, eventually finding a new home in New Zealand. Last month, he graduated with his PhD in urban planning, exploring Auckland's housing affordability issues. Read Maqsood's story.

Dr Ruby Porter | Arts & Education

Novelist and creative writing teacher Ruby Porter, author of 'Attraction', graduated with a PhD in English (with Creative Practice) last month. Her doctorate includes not only a full thesis but an entire novel. Read Ruby's story.

Scene around

ACAP Graduation Celebration

The 2026 Academic Career Advancement Programme (ACAP) cohort celebrated their graduation at Old Government House last week. ACAP is a sought-after annual year-long programme that provides candidates with the opportunity to explore key aspects of academic life, build interdisciplinary relationships with academics across the University, and get a head start in the academic job market.  

Scholarships

Ngā Ara Whetū Doctoral Scholarship

Ngā Ara Whetū - Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society is offering two Doctoral Scholarships that will be awarded in 2027. These scholarships are fully aligned with Ngā Ara Whetū’s kaupapa – to support research with the potential to help realise greater beneficial impacts for climate, biodiversity and society both in New Zealand and globally. Closing date: 1 November. Learn more and apply.

Dame Dorothy Winstone Doctoral Completion Award

Awards of up to $16,000 each to support women doctoral students to make substantial progress towards completion of a PhD or named Doctorate.  Closing date: 17 November. Apply here. 

Keith Sinclair Memorial Scholarship 

Up to $16,000 for a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident undertaking a PhD in the History of Aotearoa New Zealand. Closing date: 25 November.  Apply here.

Myra and Eric McCormick Scholarship in History

Up to $25,000 for a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident enrolled full-time in a PhD in the History of Aotearoa New Zealand. Closing date: 25 November. Apply here.