Social sciences and public policy news

David Hall standing hands in pockets amongst the trees in Albert Park.

Can cities plant away climate emissions?

Social sciences and public policy
28 Sep, 2022
In the real world, David Hall argues, this is not feasible, fair or future-proofed for cities to just plant their way out of climate change.
A remote control in front of a TV screen

Sports, TV and New Zealanders

19 Sep, 2022
Professor Rhema Vaithianathan standing smiling with arms crossed.

Machine learning to help the homeless

Social sciences and public policy
16 Aug, 2022
Plenty of interest is being shown in AUT’s use of machine learning that reduces issues of systemic racism when housing the homeless.
A cartoon graphic showing green technologies and a hand holding a coin.

Was Covid-19 good for climate spending?

Social sciences and public policy
18 Jul, 2022
The global Covid-19 pandemic gave an opportunity to spend on New Zealand’s response to the climate crises, but did it?
Dame Judy McGregor standing arms crossed and smiling in front of a Pacific tapestry

Judy McGregor made a Dame Companion

Social sciences and public policy
10 Jun, 2022
Dame Judy McGregor has “lifted the voices and improved the lives of women, children and older people around the world”.
Air of compromise

Emissions reduction plan lacks strategy

Social sciences and public policy
18 May, 2022
The newly released Emissions Reduction Plan was supposed to get real about urgent climate action – and it partially achieves this, but only partially.
Treat public health like transport

Treat public health like transport

Social sciences and public policy
16 May, 2022
The pandemic might have revealed the importance of robust public health infrastructure, but we still have trouble grasping the vital need to invest in it.
IPCC Report

How NZ can reduce emissions faster

Social sciences and public policy
08 Apr, 2022
This week’s IPCC follow-up report on climate mitigation confirms the transition to net zero is underway, however inadequately.
Cartoon image of happy graduates holding up degrees.

Thesis Survivor Stories

Social sciences and public policy
01 Mar, 2022
An updated book reveals the deeply personal struggles of PhD candidates – and their practical advice for those who follow in their footsteps.
Climate chagne_RM

Can big oil help save the planet?

Social sciences and public policy
17 Feb, 2022
Culpability for past actions aside, there might be a way we can use the fossil fuel industry to combat climate change.
AUT to teach Climate Action

AUT to teach Climate Action

Social sciences and public policy
09 Dec, 2021
How to change society in order to combat climate change can now be studied at AUT.
Two hands reaching for each other, or are they drifting apart?

The pandemic and our social lives

Social sciences and public policy
17 Nov, 2021
As COVID-19 restrictions are slowly lifted, people should plan to reconnect as soon as it is safe to do so, researchers say.
New AUT Professors

New Professors and Associate Professors 3

01 Nov, 2021
Eight AUT academics have been promoted to the position of Professor, and a further 22 have been appointed as Associate Professors.
Auckland-Business

Avoid an Auckland business bonfire

26 Oct, 2021
Deep into a delta lockdown, businesses in New Zealand’s biggest city urgently need a new form of support, writes Richard Meade.
Yellow flower

Government reports on NZ’s happiness

Social sciences and public policy
13 Sep, 2021
Thanks to AUT research, Statistics NZ now recognises that “happiness” is a key indicator of how COVID-19 is impacting our country.
David Hall sitting on a bench.

Choosing to avoid the terrorists' trap

Social sciences and public policy
07 Sep, 2021
The point of terrorism is provocation.If I hit you, you’ll hit back. If you hit back, I’ll be justified to hit again, writes David Hall.
THE rankings logo AUT

AUT climbs up the global rankings

02 Sep, 2021
AUT continues to climb up the global university rankings joining the University of Otago in second place in NZ and the top 250 universities in the world.
Dr Antje Deckert standing arms folded and smiling at the camera.

Support for iwi checkpoints

Social sciences and public policy
16 Aug, 2021
New research supports the use of community checkpoints, as implemented by Māori during the pandemic.
Ventillator

Consider the costs of long COVID

Social sciences and public policy
28 Jul, 2021
Governments easing pandemic restrictions need to consider the cost of long COVID, writes Richard Meade.
Professor Rhema Vaithianathan sitting arms crossed and looking at the camera.

CSDA screening tool in the spotlight

Social sciences and public policy
22 Jul, 2021
The work of AUT's Centre for Social Data Analytics in using computer algorithms for social good has been getting a lot of international news attention.
A child being studying with a parent.

Homeschooling with limited English

Social sciences and public policy
19 May, 2021
Parents scrambled to homeschool their children during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but those who speak English as a second language found it particularly tough.
Energy Efficiency

AUT: How we managed to kill the ‘bill’

13 May, 2021
Despite 2020 being peppered with COVID lockdowns, they were not the only contributor to impressive savings for AUT’s energy bill.
Marilyn Waring standing in a library.

Dame Marilyn Waring on new WHO Council

Social sciences and public policy
12 May, 2021
The World Health Organisation has asked Dame Marilyn Waring to help come up with new strategies to build healthy societies.
Professor Tim Maloney smiling and looking at the camera

Timely unemployment data now available

Social sciences and public policy
07 May, 2021
New Zealand decision makers now have access to more frequent unemployment statistics thanks to a new tool.
climate change

NZ's climate change efforts

Social sciences and public policy
28 Apr, 2021
All the plans and strategies in the world to lower our emissions are of no practical worth unless someone invests in the outcomes.
Generic photo of a child with a schoolbag holding his mother's hand, shot from behind with faces not visible.

New research on school readiness

Social sciences and public policy
20 Apr, 2021
The children of teen mothers in New Zealand have lower baseline school readiness levels than other children and should be prioritised for support.
Women academics at AUT

Celebrating AUTs women academics

08 Mar, 2021
Today is International Women’s Day. Read a sample of the research from AUT’s women academics who are working to improve the lives of women in our society.
Covid stimulus

Covid-19 stimulus a lost opportunity

Social sciences and public policy
25 Feb, 2021
Did the NZ government embrace the call to "build back better" by directing COVID-19 stimulus towards a low-emission economy?
Covid loans

Would 'COVID loans' be more affordable?

16 Feb, 2021
Faced with a COVID-19 pandemic of unknown severity and duration, governments are looking for effective and sustainable ways to maintain their economies.
Using data to create social equity

Using data to create social equity

Social sciences and public policy
03 Feb, 2021
Researchers at the AUT Centre for Social Data Analytics help agencies use data to make better decisions about how to support the most vulnerable people.
A climate protest march with protesters hold up a giant globe.

Climate emergency: Inspire hope not fear

Social sciences and public policy
01 Dec, 2020
A declaration of a climate emergency is not the same as action.
A misty forest.

A roadmap to action for climate finance

Social sciences and public policy
10 Nov, 2020
AUT academics have helped put together a comprehensive new report on how we can reform our financial system to help fight the climate crisis.
Picture of a laptop and stethoscope

Increasing doctor wellbeing

Social sciences and public policy
22 Oct, 2020
New research establishes an association between the daily mood of trainee doctors and their intention to quit.
A cartoon of a man popping out of a laptop holding a megaphone and a sign that reads

Employment relations journal now free

Social sciences and public policy
13 Oct, 2020
The New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations will now make itself available free on Tuwhera, AUT’s open access journal hosting service.
Illustration of a tree in a field with one half affected by climate change and the other healthy and green.

Do we follow or lead on climate change?

Social sciences and public policy
06 Oct, 2020
When the Zero Carbon Act was passed, back in pre-Covid times, the Prime Minister insisted “New Zealand will not be a slow follower” on climate change.
A homeless man sitting crossed legs with a cup in front.

New tool to help the homeless

Social sciences and public policy
21 Sep, 2020
A world-first machine learning tool developed at AUT for a county in the United States, accurately prioritises requests for housing help.
Matilda billboard

AUT launches new advertising campaign

04 Sep, 2020
AUT graduates are telling the story in their own words of how their AUT experience inspired them and shaped their lives and futures.
A head and shoulders picture of Guled Mire looking into the distance.

Former refugee now Ivy League student

Social sciences and public policy
05 Aug, 2020
AUT alumnus Guled Mire says his new Fulbright NZ scholarship to study at an Ivy League university sends a strong message to other refugee kids.
A health practitioner examines a child that has a cast on her arm.

Algorithm predicts child injuries

Social sciences and public policy
04 Aug, 2020
New AUT research confirms the value of predictive risk modelling technology to support child maltreatment decisions.
Marilyn Waring

The economics during lockdown

Social sciences and public policy
08 Jul, 2020
One of the most entrenched existing biases in economic practice was highlighted and magnified by the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in Aotearoa.
3D Rendering of coronavirus

Digital contact tracing for COVID-19

Social sciences and public policy
03 Jun, 2020
Digital contact tracing solutions for COVID-19 must offer exceptional speed and achieve high take-up rates to be useful, a working paper has found.
Sharyn Graham Davies smiling at the camera.

Lessons From NZ’s Bubbles For The World

Social sciences and public policy
02 Jun, 2020
Initial findings into how New Zealanders did under lockdown can now help inform policy makers around the globe fighting COVID-19.
covid and budget change

NZ’s COVID-19 budget and climate change

Social sciences and public policy
18 May, 2020
New Zealand's COVID-19 budget delivers on one crisis, but largely leaves climate change for another day, writes Dr David Hall.
A few dozen bubbles on a blue background.

Bursting the bubble fallacy

Social sciences and public policy
29 Apr, 2020
We can’t always conflate the occupants of a single residence into one neat group.
Professor Judy McGregor, smiling and standing in front of a Pacific Island artwork.

Call for better oversight of aged care

Social sciences and public policy
28 Apr, 2020
Covid-19 has critically exposed the frailties of our current regulatory and oversight systems surrounding aged care, Professor Judy McGregor writes.
Professor Rhema Vaithianathan

Screening tool in Netflix documentary

Social sciences and public policy
28 Feb, 2020
A new Netflix documentary series features a predictive risk modelling tool that was built and implemented by a team led by Professor Rhema Vaithianathan.
A head and shoulders photo of Chloe Jackman.

Undergraduate wins best political essay

Social sciences and public policy
09 Jan, 2020
An AUT student has been awarded the Best Undergraduate Essay in New Zealand Politics by the New Zealand Political Studies Association.
A combination photograph of the insignia for the Dames Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit and a picture of Professor Marilyn Waring holding her book The Political Years.

New Year Honours for AUT academic

Social sciences and public policy
08 Jan, 2020
Professor Marilyn Waring is appointed a Dames Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit.
Silhoutte drawings of trees making a forest.

Call for a diverse national forest

Social sciences and public policy
06 Dec, 2019
Perhaps, when it comes to forests and climate change, we've got the wrong end of the stick, writes Dr David Hall.
Black and white cartoon picture of many people protesting.

MPs failing to lead on human rights

Social sciences and public policy
05 Dec, 2019
Democracy in New Zealand is suffering from a Parliament which under-performs in its scrutiny of human rights, a new report has found.
Generic and slightly blurred photo of three businessmen

Diversity stalls on boards

Social sciences and public policy
15 Nov, 2019
Progress towards gender and ethnic diversity amongst the leadership of the country’s top companies has stalled, research has found.
Paris Peace Forum building

Ten ways to tackle hate

Social sciences and public policy
13 Nov, 2019
A Helen Clark Foundation project to reduce online harm will be presented today in competition at the Paris Peace Forum. 
QS stars 2019

AUT a 5-star university across all categories

13 Nov, 2019
AUT has received the maximum five stars for the first time in every category according to the global education analysts QS in their recent results.
Generic photo of a woman in a prison

Māori women who commit crime demonised

Social sciences and public policy
23 Oct, 2019
Newspapers often depict Māori women as intrinsically bad and unworthy of readers’ sympathy while being empathic with Pākehā women, Dr Antje Deckert says.
Marilyn Waring

An inspiring and influential woman

Social sciences and public policy
21 Oct, 2019
The BBC has revealed its list of the top 100 inspiring and influential women of 2019 - and Professor Marilyn Waring is among them.
Julienne_Molineaux

Online voting won’t engage more youth

Social sciences and public policy
09 Oct, 2019
While the convenience would no doubt be popular with many, online voting would not solve the historical low turnout rates, says Dr Julienne Molineaux.
Dr David Hall

Universities shouldn't host untruths

Social sciences and public policy
08 Oct, 2019
Free speech absolutism is threatening to storm our universities. But like other bad ideas, this is where it should be snuffed out, writes Dr David Hall.
Dr Chamari Kithulgoda

CSDA presents at D4GX

Social sciences and public policy
01 Oct, 2019
AUT's Centre for Social Data Analytics has presented at an event that aims to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.
Students protest with sign

My generation has failed young Kiwis

Social sciences and public policy
27 Sep, 2019
Some things though give me hope. The schools climate strike is one of them, writes Professor Marilyn Waring.
Wind generation

How to limit climate change push back

Social sciences and public policy
26 Sep, 2019
As a new sense of urgency to act on climate change rises, it is vital that we limit pushback while encouraging action, writes Dr David Hall.
Dr David Hall

Most Kiwis know climate change is here

Social sciences and public policy
17 Sep, 2019
Most New Zealanders say climate change is affecting their day-to-day lives. It's now up to decision makers to turn this into action writes Dr David Hall.
Julienne Molineaux

Politicians must do more to earn trust

Social sciences and public policy
13 Sep, 2019
Surveys like Stuff's Your Place 2019 always find the public have low trust in politicians. Dr Julienne Molineaux looks at why.
THE Rankings Sep 2019

AUT moves up 50 places in world rankings

12 Sep, 2019
AUT is now in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 50 for research citations.
Marilyn Waring

Unpaid work should be counted

Social sciences and public policy
10 Sep, 2019
The unpaid work often done by women is the single largest sector of New Zealand's economy, writes Professor Marilyn Waring.
Woolf Fisher AUT scholarship Awards ceremony

19 first in family scholarships awarded

05 Sep, 2019
19 AUT students were awarded Woolf Fisher First-in-Family AUT Scholarships at a celebration event at the AUT South Campus on Thursday 29 August.
Photo of Dr Karen Webster

Party politics in local elections

Social sciences and public policy
16 Aug, 2019
AUT research shows that candidates affiliated to a central political party are more likely to win seats in Auckland local government.
Professor Denise Wilson

Ethnic disparities in child protection

19 Jul, 2019
AUT research shows that Māori children are almost four times more likely to be placed out of home by child protection services.
climate-strike-in-auckland

Climate emergency? Try revolution

Social sciences and public policy
18 Jul, 2019
New Zealand's climate emergencies don't look, sound or quack much like an emergency, writes Dr David Hall of The Policy Observatory at AUT.
Emeriti Professors

AUT awards five Professors Emeriti

26 Jun, 2019
Vice-Chancellor Derek McCormack has awarded the honorary title of Professor Emeritus to five senior professors.
Jacinda-Ardern

NZ has dethroned GDP as a measure of success, but will Ardern's government be transformational?

Social sciences and public policy
11 Jun, 2019
Is the Government's well-being budget transformational? Dr David Hall from The Policy Observatory weighs in.
Najmah Usamn

Reflecting two months after the shooting

Social sciences and public policy
24 May, 2019
Muslim and AUT PhD student Najmah Usman writes how she is heartened and has learnt a lot in wake of the tragedy.
the fertility scene in NZ

Unequal access to fertility treatment

Social sciences and public policy
23 May, 2019
The disadvantaged are being forced to the DIY fertility scene because of the high-cost of New Zealand's regulated industry, writes Sharyn Graham Davies.
190517_Tim Maloney

Economics Professor to lead the social sciences

Social sciences and public policy
17 May, 2019
The new Head of School for AUT's School of Social Sciences and Public Policy is to be Professor Tim Maloney.
Marilyn Waring Current BWB

The Political Years

Social sciences and public policy
16 May, 2019
Professor Marilyn Waring’s autobiographical account of her extraordinary years in parliament, will be explored at the Auckland Writers Festival.
marsden - landscape

Full scholarship to study fertility

Social sciences and public policy
15 May, 2019
A $81,000 scholarship up for grabs will help ensure the disadvantaged can access fertility treatment.
62% increase in AUT researchers

62% increase in AUT researchers

30 Apr, 2019
Growing expertise to help New Zealand and the world
Giving women real choices

Giving women real choices

Social sciences and public policy
12 Apr, 2019
Associate Professor Sharyn Graham Davies has been defending women's right to choose what they wear.
They Are Us image - illustration by Ruby Jones

Christchurch

15 Mar, 2019
The tragic event in Christchurch today devastates us. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their friends and families.
Emeritus Professor Ian Shirley

Farewell to Professor Ian Shirley

23 Jan, 2019
Emeritus Professor Ian Shirley was a friend and colleague to many as a researcher, leader, mentor, supervisor and notable person about the University.
Seddon Memorial Technical College reunion

Celebrating AUT through the years

21 Jan, 2019
Over 50 of our oldest alumni came together for the 2018 Seddon Memorial Technical College reunion hosted by the alumni office.
AUT Edge Award winners

Gaining skills for the workplace

14 Dec, 2018
Auckland Council are proud to sponsor the overall achievement prize for the AUT Edge Award, an extra-curricular employability award at AUT.
Synchrotron to be used in research

Five AUT Marsden Fund grants

08 Nov, 2018
Five projects led by AUT researchers have been granted funding totalling $3.58 million in new research for the university, in this Marsden Fund round.
AUT's new Professors

New Professors and Associate Professors announced

01 Nov, 2018
AUT has announced the promotion to Professor of seven senior academics. A further 16 academics have been appointed as Associate Professors.
Emeritus Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop

AUT awards Emeritus Professor

Social sciences and public policy
26 Oct, 2018
AUT has awarded Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop the title of Emeritus Professor in recognition of her contributions to Pacific development iss
The Sustainability Taskforce at the Roadmap launch

Minister launches sustainable blueprint

24 Oct, 2018
The Minister for Climate Change, the Hon James Shaw officially launched AUT’s Sustainability Roadmap on Friday 19 October.
THE world university rankings for AUT 2019

THE rankings place AUT in NZ top three

27 Sep, 2018
AUT has significantly improved in global university rankings published today by the Times Higher Education.
AUT students sit in the WG lecture hall

AUT 2019 domestic and international fees

13 Sep, 2018
Tuition fees for new domestic students, and for domestic and international students currently enrolled in a programme will increase in 2019.
Social change campaigner Richie Hardcore

Academia enhances social change tools

19 Apr, 2018
Social change campaigner Richie Hardcore kicked off the AUT Culture and Society Career Fair by stressing the importance of resilience and learning.
Associate Professor Camille Nakhid

Academic discusses racism complaints

Social sciences and public policy
07 Mar, 2018
AUT grad interns with the United Nations

AUT grad interns with the United Nations

Social sciences and public policy
16 Feb, 2018
Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop

First national inquiry breaks the silence around family violence in the Pacific

Social sciences and public policy
14 Nov, 2017

Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop at AUT is one of four commissioners appointed to oversee Samoa’s national inquiry into family violence..

charles-crothers

Auckland: Unsafe, polluted, discriminatory

Social sciences and public policy
25 Sep, 2017

Aucklanders are significantly more likely than other New Zealanders to be the victims of burglary and vehicle offences and although Auckland’s overall crime rate is decreasing, too many Aucklanders continue to feel unsafe.

the-big-sleepout

Musician Tommy Nee releases single to raise awareness of youth homelessness

Social sciences and public policy
29 Jun, 2017

Vodafone Pacific Music Award’s most promising artist of 2017 Tommy Nee has written a song for the Lifewise Big Sleepout campaign with all the funds raised from downloads going towards ending youth homelessness.

23_Tongan-youth-suicide-prevention

Preventing Tongan youth suicide

Social sciences and public policy
23 May, 2017

AUT research students launch New Zealand’s first evidence-based resource for Pacific suicide prevention.

08_Judy

Professor Judy McGregor: More progress on women's rights needed

Social sciences and public policy
08 Mar, 2017

Women’s discontent with gender inequality is on the rise. Today (March 8th) thousands of women will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). It will be a bitter sweet celebration. We will welcome women’s increasing advancement in education, health, and the workplace. But we will also lament stalled progress on gender equality in New Zealand at a time when women globally are knitting pink “pussy hats” and have taken protest back to the streets.

Book highlights growing gaps in New Zealand’s human rights record

Book highlights growing gaps in New Zealand’s human rights record

Social sciences and public policy
22 Jul, 2016

A new book from Professor Judy McGregor describes New Zealand as “worryingly self-satisfied about its human rights record” despite some major shortcomings.

AUT Professor Judy McGregor named supreme winner at 2016 Women in Governance Awards

AUT Professor Judy McGregor named supreme winner at 2016 Women in Governance Awards

Social sciences and public policy
01 Jul, 2016

AUT Professor Judy McGregor is the winner of this year’s ‘Supreme Award in Governance’ at the Women in Governance Awards, announced at an awards dinner last night [Thursday, 30 June].

World Refugee Day: Time to debunk myths and welcome refugees to NZ

World Refugee Day: Time to debunk myths and welcome refugees to NZ

Social sciences and public policy
20 Jun, 2016

Debunking myths about refugees is AUT senior lecturer Maria Hayward’s goal for World Refugee Day [June 20] this year.

Hayward, who is director of the Centre for Refugee Education [Mangere, Auckland], says there is a huge amount of misinformation about refugees and their lives here in New Zealand.

Symposium on transforming south Auckland

Symposium on transforming south Auckland

Social sciences and public policy
04 Apr, 2016

Transforming south Auckland’s social and economic future is the focus of a symposium hosted by the Auckland University of Technology’s South Campus and Auckland Council’s Southern Initiative this month.

MariaHaywardOpEd24Sept15

Opinion: Devastating refugee photos not telling the full story

Social sciences and public policy
24 Sep, 2015

Maria Hayward is a senior lecturer at AUT’s Centre for Refugee Education – part of the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre that helps prepare refugees for life in New Zealand.

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