Te Rau Hiringa awards recognise staff role in research excellence

Perseverance, energy and determination are three of the qualities demonstrated by the winners of the inaugural Te Rau Hiringa Professional Staff Research Excellence Awards.

The new awards have two categories. Mark Hurdley, research manager, international and Casper Hitchins, research adviser, international are the winners of the first Catalysing Research Excellence Award for their work leading Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s engagement with Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research and innovation programme.

Their work was instrumental in the successful funding to enable international research collaboration for teams led by Professor Sir Peter Hunter and Professor Ralph Buck.

The inaugural Sustaining Research Excellence Award was made to Linley Nisbet, a Senior Technical Officer at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, for over 30 years of service working with researchers and students on pre-clinical studies that respond to key questions in physiology and have led to new medical technologies.

She has helped to publish more than 130 peer-reviewed journal papers, 33 postgraduate theses and 21 major and prestigious research grants. An expert in animal ethics and research, she also provides advice at Institute and University level.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Professor Frank Bloomfield said the new awards recognised the critical role professional staff play in the University’s research success. “All of our researchers owe a debt to the expertise, advice and experience of professional staff. Research support staff are fundamental to the University’s vibrant research eco-system.”

Mark Hurdley and Casper Hitchins will share in the $10,000 team award. Linley Nisbet receives $5000 for her award. The awards are to further their professional development.

The name of the new awards connects to the intent of ‘Hīkina kia Tutuki – Rise to meet the Challenge,’ the theme of Waipapa Taumata Rau’s annual Celebration of Research Excellence.

Rau is a leaf or feather and is often the item laid on the ground during a challenge, and which is expected to be lifted or accepted in a Māori context.

Hiringa can mean to persevere, be determined and/or energetic. ‘Te Rau Hiringa’ acknowledges a person who captures the attributes of accepting the challenge and meeting it with energy and determination.

The inaugural Te Rau Hiringa award winners will be formally acknowledged at this year’s Hīkina kia Tutuki – Rise to meet the Challenge,’ Celebrating Research Excellence awards event in October.