+64 4 472 2065
WELLINGTON, 14 June, 2022 – University of Auckland staff, students and alumni feature prominently in the lineup of recently announced Fulbright New Zealand 2022 awardees.
The Fulbright Programme of educational exchange is one of the largest and most significant educational exchanges of scholars in the world.
New Zealand was only the fifth Fulbright Commission in the world, signing up to the programme in 1948. Since then, it has awarded more than 1900 scholarships to New Zealand graduate students, artists, academics and professionals to undertake further research in the US, and welcomed more than 1,600 Americans on exchanges to New Zealand.
This year, of the 27-strong Fulbright New Zealand cohort, 12 have affiliations with the University of Auckland.
University of Auckland Vice Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater said, “I am pleased to see so many UoA staff, students, and alumni have received Fulbright awards this year. There is no question that a Fulbright award offers a lifechanging experience that will continue to open doors throughout a recipient’s career. It’s exciting to see our people making the most of this opportunity.”
The University of Auckland associated Fulbright awardees for 2022 are:
Zoë Henry (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Makefu – Niue) from Auckland will research Indigenous conceptions of punishment at the University of California, Los Angeles towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Zoë graduated with a BA in 2014, BA (Hons Second Class) in History in 2016, and an MA (First Class) in History in 2018 from the University of Auckland
Bronte Heron from Taranaki will complete a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the New School, New York City. Bronte graduated with a BFA (Hons First Class) in 2016 from Elam School of Fine Arts, and an MA in Creative Writing in 2021 from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.
Melody Yunjeong Kim from Auckland will research childhood trauma and youth mental health at the University of Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Melody graduated with a BSc in Psychology in 2020, and a BSc (Hons First Class) in 2021 from the University of Auckland.
Rayhan Langdan from Wellington will complete a Master of Laws in electoral law at the University of California, in Berkeley, California. Rayhan graduated with an LLB (Hons) and a BA in History and Politics in 2018 from the University of Auckland.
Alehandrea Raiha Manuel (Ngāti Pōrou) will research equity and telehealth in Indigenous ear and hearing healthcare at the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Alehandrea graduated with a BHSc and PGDipPH (Distinction) in 2012 from the University of Auckland, and an MAudSt in 2014 from the University of Queensland.
Sophie Oliff from Wellington will complete a Masters of Science in Clinical Service Operations at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Sophie graduated with a BHSc (Hons) in Population Health in 2013 from the University of Auckland, and a BPharm in 2016 from the University of Otago.
Rachel Simon-Kumar from Auckland will research a feminist political science project called the ‘Ethnic Minority Women in New Zealand Politics Project’ at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Rachel is an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland.
Georgia Third from Auckland will complete a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California Santa Cruz, California. Georgia graduated with a BSc in Marine Science and Environmental Science in 2020, a PgDipSci in Marine Science in 2021, and a MSc in Marine Science in 2022 from the University of Auckland.
Rebekah White from Auckland will complete a Master of Arts with a Science Concentration at Columbia Journalism School in New York, New York. Rebekah graduated with a BA in English and Comparative Literature in 2009 from the University of Auckland, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from Auckland University of Technology in 2010.
Liam Wooding, (Ngāti Hinearo, Ngāti Tuera/Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) from Whanganui will research music performance at the University of California San Diego, California towards a DMA at the University of Waikato. Liam graduated with a BMus in Classical Performance from the University of Auckland in 2013, an MMus (Hons First Class) from the University of Waikato in 2017 and completed the Professional Performance Program at the Australian National Academy of Music in 2019.
Rachael Yielder from Auckland will research people’s mindsets towards illness and medication and how they influence health outcomes at Stanford University in Palo Alto California, towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Rachael graduated with a BA in Psychology and Sociology in 2013 from the University of Auckland, a BA (Hons First Class) in Music Business from the University of Sussex at BIMM Manchester in 2017, and an MHealthPsych (First Class Hons) from the University of Auckland in 2022.
Joseph Xulué (Siloam – New Caledonia, Lufi Lufi, Fagamalo – Samoa) from Auckland will complete a Master of Laws in criminal justice reform and Indigenous peoples’ rights at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joseph graduated with a BCom and LLB in 2016 from the University of Auckland.
To see the full list of the 2022 Fulbright New Zealand award winners, click here.
The 2022 Fulbright New Zealand cohort will be honoured at a special awards ceremony at the National Library in Wellington on Monday 27 June, to be hosted by Hon Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Minister for Courts.
Applications are open for 2023 Fulbright New Zealand scholarships. Applications close on 1 August 2022 for graduates, and 1 October 2022 for scholars. Click here for more details.
For media enquiries, please contact Fulbright NZ Communications Manager, Therese Lloyd at [email protected] or 021 023 16320.
ENDS