Sophie Coomber

Lecturer
Law

Sophie Coomber joined AUT's Law School, drawn in part by Eke Tangaroa – AUT's programme supporting Māori and Pacific researchers in their first three years at the university. A few years into her own time here, she's teaching AUT's new compulsory course on tikanga Māori and settler state law, and already bringing students into her research along the way.

What’s your role and how long have you been at AUT?

I’m a kaiwhakaako and kairangahau within Te Kura Ture – AUT’s Law School. I've been here two and a half years.

What made you choose AUT – and what made you stay?

I was drawn to AUT for a few reasons: first, the unique ethos of the university itself; second, the Eke Tangaroa programme, which supports early career Māori and Pasifika researchers in the first three years of their time at AUT, and third – being really honest – because Professor Khylee Quince worked at the law school. He wāhine toa!

What has surprised you most about working here?

One of the suggested examples for this pātai was the freedom to try new approaches, which is truly one of the most unique aspects of my first years with AUT. I’ve been uniquely able to teach in innovative ways – particularly in delivering our new compulsory first-year course, Tikanga Māori and Settler State Law.

When did you last think: this is why I do this job?

When I was able to hire two tauira as research assistants. I think being able to bring students into the research side of things is such a cool part of the job.

What does working here let you do that you couldn’t do anywhere else?

I've been really blessed to follow my own interests in both teaching and research as an early career researcher and lecturer. Having that level of autonomy so early in my career has been invaluable.