Research students' peer groups

The research students’ peer groups are a network of student-led groups where AUT postgraduate research students can meet, connect and share ideas. Find out which students' peer groups exist at AUT and join in! You can also learn how to start your own group.

Action Research Connections

Join this multi-discipline community that shares action research projects (and related approaches) and ideas for ongoing learning, discussion, mentorship and potential joint projects.

Contact us

Katharine Hoskyn: Hoskynresearch@runciman.net.nz

BEL PhD peer group

A peer support and networking group for PhD students of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. We offer a range of resources including guest speakers, facilitated workshops, group discussions and peer support around everything PhD-related over shared kai (food). This forum is also great for networking and creating friendships with your fellow PhDs.

Contact us

Retchell Morales: retchell.morales@aut.ac.nz
George Ntor: tdy6025@autuni.ac.nz

North Campus PhD Group

The AUT North Campus PhD Group is a student-led group that meets online and on the North Shore. This group is mostly made up of doctoral students from Health Sciences and Education; however, any PhD student is welcome to join. The group meets online/in-person once a month at AUT North Campus to share resources and advice for students at any stage of their PhD journey. Please contact Husna at husna.harmi@aut.ac.nz if you would like to join us.

Contact us

Husna Harmi: husna.harmi@aut.ac.nz

Distance Students' Group

Join other distance students in this online group to swap tips and share your research journey with some new friends. From time to time we get together in the 'real world' over a real coffee. Come and join us!

Contact us

Lorraine Ponifasio: lorraine.ponifasio@autuni.ac.nz
Join our Facebook group

Immersive Experience Research Group (IERG)

Immersive Experience Research Group (IERG) is an interdisciplinary team of students who explore and experiment with extended reality (XR) technologies—virtual, augmented, and mixed reality—in fields like media, communication and digital experiences. We want to blend experience and insights from as many different sources as possible, like media studies, software development, design, and any other subject interested in understanding how immersive media is transforming storytelling, education, and social interaction. Our goal is to propose innovative and fun projects at the intersection of theory and practice, aimed at exploring the future and possibilities of XR and its societal impact.

Contact us

Sebastian Gil Parga: sebastian.gilparga@autuni.ac.nz

International Students’ Group

This is a friendly, peer-led social space for international postgraduate research students at AUT. If you’re new to NZ research culture, or you want to meet other PhD/MPhil/MRes students and find your people, or you’re keen to swap practical tips on milestones, writing, methods, funding and data collection, or want to discuss Auckland tips that support day-to-day research life – join us! You can join us online and in person.

Contact us

Cassie Wang: cassiewang239@gmail.com

Gouhar Pirzada: xgq6680@autuni.ac.nz

Join our Facebook group (info + city-life updates)

Join our Teams channel (research/academic sharing)

Lean Construction Student Association (LCSA)

LCSA connects students across engineering and built environment disciplines, fostering collaboration with peers and industry leaders. We support professional growth through workshops, site visits and research opportunities with LCANZ! By embracing lean principles, our members will contribute to minimising waste, enhancing efficiency, and driving future innovations. We ensure effective learning through hands-on experiences.

Contact us

Veronic Tuivai and Ali Bidhendi: lcsa@aut.ac.nz

Please note: this group is open to both postgraduate and undergraduate students but has a strong research focus.

Oral Health Postgraduate Students’ Group

The Oral Health Postgraduate Students' Group fosters an enriching academic network for postgraduate students embarking on or interested in oral health research. The group meets monthly, alternating between the North Campus and the South Campus, with attendees able to join online if they cannot attend in person (hybrid meetings). It creates a forum to discuss research progress, share valuable experiences, and brainstorm innovative ideas. We also facilitate increased learning and networking opportunities with guest speakers. This supportive community encourages peer collaboration and engagement, contributing significantly to the postgraduate research journey.

Contact us

Beth Ketema: beth.ketema@aut.ac.nz
Farzana Sarkisova: farzana.sarkisova@aut.ac.nz
Jacqui Smith: jacqui.smith@aut.ac.nz

PhD Book Club

Join the PhD Book Club, where we talk about books and practice a little public speaking (nothing too serious, unless you’re serious about your favourite books). This club is open to all PhD students and candidates. Your only requirement is an interest in reading. We meet monthly to discuss our recent reads, new favourites, and come up with themes for our reading over the next month.

Contact us

Anna McLeish: annamcleish17@gmail.com

Postgraduate Potluck Group

The North-South Postgraduate Potluck Group provides an informal and safe space for you to talk about your research with fellow students, supervisors and people who have been through the process. We meet once a month, usually the last Thursday of each month, alternating between the South Campus and the North Campus. The evening is a couple of hours, starting at 5.30pm with a shared meal (the ‘potluck’) and an opportunity to chat with other likeminded people. This is followed by whanaungatanga around the table, then a presentation or discussion on some topic of relevance and interest.

Download flyer

Contact us

Mere Kingi: mere.kingi@aut.ac.nz

Research Writing Group

This highly supportive and social group meets twice monthly: once online and once for coffee in person. Our group offers a place to talk about where you are at in your writing and research, and share advice and resources.

You can post or reply to messages in the Postgraduate Research Writing Group team within the general channel to connect or ask questions.

Contact us

Debbie Meko: dxs3594@autuni.ac.nz

Join our Teams group

How to access Teams

​Tourism and Hospitality Doctoral Tea Party

A group for tourism and hospitality doctoral students to socialise, share their research journeys (both ups and downs), and learn from expert guest speakers.

Contact us

Email Pauline Marie and Qian Meng: autdoctoralteaparty@gmail.com

Looking to connect with Māori, Pacific, and indigenous research students?

Check out the MAI ki Aronui group.