Anantha Narayanan

Research Fellow, AUT
Doctor of Philosophy
Master of Philosophy with Honours (First Class)
Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise

Wellbeing is central to everything we do in life, says Dr Anantha Narayanan who focused on the topic for his PhD, applying advanced data science methodologies to predict population wellbeing in New Zealand.

“While wellbeing is crucial, New Zealand’s existing wellbeing data has limitations in scope and timeliness. My doctoral research aimed to explore alternative data science approaches to help bridge these gaps and inform better wellbeing measurement.”

His PhD research was supervised by Associate Professor Tom Stewart, Professor Scott Duncan and Professor Gail Pacheco, and supported by an AUT Vice-Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship.

Since completing his studies in 2024, he now builds on his earlier research through his work as a research fellow, focusing on multidisciplinary research at the intersection of health and data science.

“What I enjoy most is the ability to work on research that has real-world impact – especially projects that help inform community-based solutions and public health strategies. This includes using advanced data analytics to better understand population wellbeing, physical activity patterns and environmental influences on health.”

More than a career change
Anantha first found his way to AUT back in 2016, when he enrolled in a Graduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise, looking for a career change after successfully working as an analyst in his home country India.

“I was looking to change career streams and pursue a path in health, specifically in exercise and nutrition. AUT stood out clearly for its reputation in sport and exercise science, and its strong links to real-world practice and research made it the obvious choice for my studies.”

He ended up finding much more than a new career – he soon discovered a passion for research, and after completing his graduate diploma, went on to complete a Master of Philosophy in 2019, followed by a PhD in 2024.

“Research started to genuinely interest me, and I was drawn to the idea of using evidence to inform health policy and practice. I was fortunate to receive scholarships that supported both degrees, which made the decision even easier. A major highlight for me was being part of the AUT Human Potential Centre, where I started as a research assistant. The team’s supportive culture and the commitment to nurturing students were instrumental in my development. The team environment at the Human Potential Centre really shaped my journey at AUT.”

Advice for other students
Anantha, who is proud of being on the 2025 dean’s honours roll, has some great advice for other students who are only at the start of their own university journey.

“Your academic journey may take unexpected turns, and that’s completely okay. Don’t hesitate to ask for support; whether it’s guidance, resources or opportunities. AUT has a strong support system, and it often starts with you reaching out.”

He still remembers a particular moment during his own studies when he reached out for guidance, and even today he is still impressed by the response.

“One moment that really stands out was in 2016, during my graduate diploma, when I couldn’t enrol in all the courses I wanted due to timetable clashes. I reached out to Professor Grant Schofield, who was teaching a course I was particularly interested in, and explained the situation. He went out of his way to help me – spending an afternoon walking me through an entire semester’s worth of content on a whiteboard, purely out of interest and generosity. He didn’t have to take time out of his busy schedule, but he did – and that moment became one of the key inspirations in my journey.”