Michael Fox

“I have always been fascinated with all things animal related. As a child, two of my favourite things were a big ‘animals of the world’ map and a 3D jungle book – one where the animals and rainforest open in front of you every time you open a new page. I wanted to grow up to be like Steve Irwin or David Attenborough.

“I chose the University of Auckland for my PhD because I was ready for a challenge and saw that the University has excellent international rankings, both overall and in biological sciences.

“The working title for my thesis is ‘Seabird Restoration in the Waitākere Ranges’. The coolest thing about this project is its transdisciplinary nature. It’s about the ecological processes of restoring seabirds, and the social and cultural considerations too.

“New Zealand has more seabird species than any other country. These days, most people don’t get to see these birds as the majority breed on offshore, predator-free, islands. But before humans and their nasty pests arrived, seabird breeding colonies dominated the coastal ecosystems of mainland New Zealand.

“My research focuses on these mainland coastal ecosystems and how we can control pests to allow our special seabirds to come back. I’m also looking at how interactions with seabirds can change the attitudes and behaviours of people. Do people become more supportive of conservation efforts if they can interact with these special birds? In addition, I work with local iwi to better understand the history of interactions with a specific seabird.

“The best thing about this programme is knowing that I’m making a genuine difference. My dream is to make a career out of helping people and the environment. I think my time has passed to be the next Steve Irwin or David Attenborough, but maybe one day someone out there might want to become the next Michael Fox.

“The University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship is the only reason I can study towards my programme. I would not have been able to fund this qualification myself.

“I’m a member of the Postgraduate Students' Association and have attended and presented at the PGSA Lunch & Learn series. This helps PhD candidates practise public speaking, make new connections, and share their research. The University Health & Counselling Service has also helped me navigate the challenges of moving cities and starting a PhD during a global pandemic.

“Everyone I have met within the School of Biological Sciences is full of energy and always willing to help. Meeting so many like-minded people, who have a genuine passion to help others and the environment, is very inspiring.”