URONZ Conference 2026
| Date: | Thursday 19 Nov, 9am - Friday 20 Nov, 5pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | AUT City Campus WG Building, WG306 Auckland New Zealand |
| Cost: | $275 + GST (conference only), $370 + GST (conference and dinner) |
URONZ’s biennial conference brings together research management professionals from across Aotearoa. This year’s programme features two days of panel discussions, presentations, and workshops focused on the evolving research management environment.
Time | Session | Venue |
9-10am | Registration Morning tea on arrival | WG306 (Foyer) |
10-10.30am | Mihi Whakatau and Welcome Dr Toiroa Williams, AUT Prof Mark Orams, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, AUT | WG308 |
10.30-11.15am | Keynote Trust in Science, Misinformation and the Role of Universities Prof Damon Salesa, Vice-Chancellor, AUT | WG308 |
11.15am-12pm | Presentation Research's Economic Impact Dr John Roche, Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor | WG308 |
12-1pm | Lunch | WG306 (Foyer) |
1-2pm | Centrepiece panel discussion The Future of the Research Funding System Prof Scott Duncan – Moderator, Professor of Population Health, AUT Dr Emma Blott, Chair, RFNZ Prof Brett Cowan, Pillar Lead, RFNZ Dr Danette Olsen, GM Science System Investment & Performance, MBIE Professor Sir Peter Hunter, Pillar Lead, RFNZ | WG308 |
2-3.15pm | Presentations Working With PROs and Research Platforms Dr Jess Robertson, Chief Scientist, Earth Sciences New Zealand Dr Linda Johnson, Chief Scientist, Bioeconomy Science Institute Prof David Murdoch, Chief Scientist, New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science Kirstine Hulse, GM and Co-Director, New Zealand Product Accelerator | WG308 |
3.15-3.45pm | Afternoon tea | WG306 (Foyer) |
3.45-5pm | Short presentations He Ara Whakamua: Māori Research Engagement, Partnership and Equity in Practice Assoc Prof Gwyn Lewis, School of Allied Health, AUT Te Hunanga Ngapo, Research Developer, University of Waikato Sierra Kihi, Education Manager, Waikato-Tainui Natalie Kusabs, Deputy Director, Te Kotahi Research Institute | WG308 |
5.30-7pm | Networking event | Vesbar |
7- 9.30pm | Conference dinner | WG201 |
Time | Session | Venue |
9-10.30am | Short presentations from all universities The Changing Role of the Research Office | WG308 |
10.30-10.45am | Morning tea | WG306 (Foyer) |
10.45-11.30am | Presentation AI in Research Management Nicholas Kearns, Assoc. Director Research Operations and Governance, University of Auckland | WG308 |
11.30am-12.15pm | Concurrent sessions Topic 1: Global Positioning and International Funding Roundtable Dr Talia Crockett, International Advisor, Victoria University of Wellington Casper Hitchins, Research Funding Specialist, University of Auckland | WG308 |
Topic 2: Research Integrity: The Glue That Holds Everything Together Dr Elizabeth Visser, Research Integrity Officer, University of Auckland | WG702 | |
Topic 3: Tertiary Research Excellence Fund Dan Haines Cohen and Abby Cuttriss, Principal Advisors, Tertiary Education Commission | WG701 | |
12.15-1pm | Lunch | WG306 (Foyer) |
1-1.40pm | Concurrent sessions Topic 1: From Research to Impact: Connecting IP and Commercialisation Early Reema Waly, Senior Biotechnology Patent Examiner, IPONZ David Rotherham, Team Leader Patents, IPONZ | WG308 |
Topic 2: Workplace Wellbeing: Hot Button Issues Prof Candice Harris, Professor of Management, AUT Prof Jarrod Haar, Professor of Management, Massey University | WG702 | |
Topic 3: Digital Science Dr Daniel Hook, Chief Scientific Officer, Holtzbrinck Publishing Group | WG701 | |
1.40-2.20pm | Concurrent sessions Topic 1: National Security: Managing Risk for the Tertiary Sector Blair Whittaker, Director of Operations, NZSIS Antonia Butler, Engagement Manager, NZSIS Maj-Britt Englehardt, Principal Advisor, MBIE | WG308 |
Topic 2: How Did You Learn That?: Building Careers in Research Management in Aotearoa New Zealand Dr Faith Welsh, Assoc. Director Research Development and Impact, University of Auckland Katie Jones, Research Services Manager, University of Auckland | WG702 | |
2.20-2.40pm | Afternoon tea | WG306 (Foyer) |
2.40-4pm | Special Interest Group Meetings Closed meetings | |
Contracts | WO1609 | |
Funding | WO1407 | |
Directors | WA710 | |
Impact | WG808 | |
Researcher Development | WG702 | |
Research Integrity | WG801 | |
Sensitive Technologies | WU313 | |
4-4.15pm | Close | WG308 |