Laura Rensford
Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Master of Health Science with Honours (First Class)
Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
What makes her PhD research particularly meaningful is the direct link to her clinical practice, says Laura Rensford who is completing her PhD in the field of paediatric respiratory physiotherapy.
“I’ve focused my studies on improving health outcomes for children with bronchiectasis, a chronic lung condition that disproportionately affects Māori and Pacific children in New Zealand, particularly in regions like Counties Manukau, where I work. My master’s degree explored physical activity levels in children with bronchiectasis, revealing that these children are less active than their peers. This highlighted the need for better support through physiotherapy-led interventions. My PhD investigates whether adding Physiotherapy Airway Clearance in the Education Setting (PACES) to standard care can improve health outcomes, enhance treatment equity and reduce health disparities for children aged 5 to 12 with bronchiectasis.
“I work closely with these children and families, and I hear firsthand about the barriers they face in managing their condition. I’m especially driven by the need for more equitable access to care. By embedding physiotherapy into everyday environments like schools, PACES has the potential to improve children’s quality of life, reduce preventable hospital visits, and empower families and communities to manage bronchiectasis more effectively.”
Laura’s PhD research is being supervised by Dr Sarah Mooney, Professor Richard Ellis and Dr Irene Zeng.
The road to a PhD
She loves learning and pushing her academic abilities, Laura says.
“Having struggled with learning as a child, I’ve always wanted to prove to myself that I have overcome those challenges and, while it might seem a bit extreme, pursuing a PhD felt like the ultimate way to do that. I had a wonderful undergraduate experience at AUT, where I built lasting friendships and laid the foundation for my academic interests.
“When I decided to return for postgraduate study, it felt like a natural choice. I initially enrolled in a postgraduate certificate, but I enjoyed it so much that it quickly turned into a postgraduate diploma and eventually a Master of Health Science. After the positive experience I had during my master’s degree, including achieving first-class honours and being named on AUT’s Dean’s List, I gained the confidence to take on the PhD challenge.”
The postgraduate staff at AUT have been amazing, she adds.
“They’re incredibly supportive, helping me shape my studies and research around my career goals and personal life. I had the most wonderful supervisors during my master’s degree, Dr Sarah Mooney and Professor Richard Ellis, and we’ve proven to be an excellent team. With their encouragement, and their willingness to supervise me again, we’re back together for the next big step: the PhD. I’m excited to continue working with them as I embark on my PhD journey. While the idea of completing a PhD while working and raising two boys on my own is overwhelming at times, I’m mostly just excited. It feels like the next step; not just academically, but personally too.”
Advice for other students
Laura – whose PhD is supported by funding from the Paul Stevenson Trust and the Health Research Council’s Health Delivery Research Career Development Award – has some great advice for other students who are considering postgraduate study.
“Don’t wait until you feel completely ready — you grow into it. Postgraduate study can feel daunting, especially when you’re juggling work and family life, but it’s definitely achievable with the right support.”
She also has some specific advice on how to manage the workload that comes with university study.
“Break it down into manageable steps and focus on one thing at a time. Eventually, those small steps add up to a completed project. That mindset has genuinely carried me through my studies and helped me avoid feeling completely overwhelmed.”
