2023 Research Honours Aotearoa Ōtautahi Christchurch

ŌTAU TA H I C H R I S TC H U R C H

NGĀ MIHI THANK YOU TO OUR KAITAUTOKO PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

SUPPORTED BY THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT WITH FUNDING FROM THE MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT. 2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA Congratulations to the winners of the Research Honours Aotearoa 2023! Our celebrated awards recognise researchers in New Zealand who have achieved excellence in scholarship, innovation, or significant contributions to Aotearoa through their research and career.

We are delighted to be in Christchurch in the year that the University of Canterbury celebrates its 150th anniversary. Nobel Laureate Lord Ernest Rutherford FRSNZ, after whom our most prestigious award is named, is but one of many esteemed graduates whose research and work is shaping our world.

These, our annual awards are hosted by Royal Society Te Apārangi, and championed by New Zealand’s research community and its associated networks. We acknowledge our partners the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Royal Society Te Apārangi Endowment Fund Trust and the Marsden Fund Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden for their continued support and sponsorship, as well as all others who have contributed to this year’s Research Honours Aotearoa.

We are enormously proud of our winners and their outstanding achievements.

Mauri ora!

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR GEOFF CHASE FRSNZ ACADEMY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

KAITLYN MARTIN Earlier this year, the Antarctic Heritage Trust called for applications to be one of 22 Kiwis to be selected for the Inspiring Explorers ExpeditionTM to South Georgia.

Royal Society Te Apārangi was delighted to support this initiative and was able to select an early career researcher, Kaitlyn Martin, a lecturer in STEM Education at the University of Canterbury, to represent the Society. Kaitlyn arrived back from her expedition in October, and is now embarking on a programme of outreach to share her incredible experiences in South Georgia.

2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

HON MARGARET AUSTIN CNZM CRSNZ “All of us have a responsibility to ensure we have an informed public and that is only possible when we engage, share knowledge and contribute expertise gathered along the way.”

Notable Cantabrian, former Minister of Research, Science & Technology and Royal Society Te Apārangi Companion

HON MARGARET AUSTIN CNZM CRSNZ

In 2023, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | the University of Canterbury celebrated its 150th anniversary.

We acknowledge its central role in shaping the development of research culture and university education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The University of Canterbury is a contemporary place of learning that values diversity and aspires towards excellence in research, and tertiary education that is accessible to all.

The University’s academics, students, and graduates are helping to create positive change both globally and in our local communities through their innovative research, work, and discoveries.

RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

MEDALS AND AWARDS 2023 This year, we are hosting three smaller, regional events.

TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND

ŌTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH

On Wednesday 8 November we announce five medals and awards.

On Wednesday 15 November we are in Christchurch to recognise the 150th anniversary of the University of Canterbury and to announce four further medals and awards.

» Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Excellence Award for Social Science » Royal Society Te Apārangi Te Kōpūnui Māori Research Award

» Cooper Award

» Mason Durie Medal

» Humanities Aronui Medal

» Te Rangaunua Hiranga Māori Award

» Pickering Medal

» Thomson Medal

2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

» Hector Medal

TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA WELLINGTON On Thursday 23 November we announce a further seven awards and medals, and three Health Research Council (HRC) medals.

A full listing of this year’s illustrious winners, and previous winners dating back to the early days of the Society can be found on royalsociety.org.nz/medals-and-awards

» Hamilton Award » Scott Medal » Te Rangi Hiroa Medal » Hutton Medal » HRC Liley Medal » HRC Te Tohu Rapuora Medal » HRC Beaven Medal » Callaghan Medal » MacDiarmid Medal » Rutherford Medal RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

COOPER AWARD For early career research excellence in technology, applied sciences or engineering

DR VINEET SHAH Callaghan Innovation SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, LOW CARBON CEMENT AND CARBON CAPTURE Presented for pioneering research transforming concrete from demolition waste into a sustainable low-carbon cement additive, and fostering a circular economy in construction. Dr Shah has pioneered a process to transform crushed concrete from demolition waste into a sustainable, low carbon cement additive. He has found a way to use the concrete “fines” to replace cement in new construction, and permanently capturing the carbon dioxide in the process. This innovation poses a significant opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint while conserving natural resources and creating a more sustainable future. He has also worked on carbon capture and storage technology using a common magnesium-silicate mineral.

2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

HECTOR MEDAL For outstanding research in chemical, physical or mathematical and information science

PROFESSOR NIELS KJAERGAARD Department of Physics University of Otago DISTINGUISHED WORK ON ‘INDISTINGUISHABLE’ PARTICILES Professor Kjærgaard has been awarded the Hector Medal for his outstanding contribution to scientific knowledge about fundamental particles, through experimental studies of atomic collisions and light-scattering using ultracold gases. He has led a team which advanced understanding of the collective properties and behaviour of atoms at temperatures close to absolute zero, at which the motions of atoms are dominated by quantum mechanics. This team has built a machine capable of producing clouds of ultracold potassium and rubidium atoms, at temperatures of less than a millionth of a degree above absolute zero. They have used this machine to study the scattering of light from, and the scattering of collided atoms in, these quantum gases. In 2018 his team won University of Otago Research Group of the Year.

RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

HUMANITIES ARONUI MEDAL Awarded for research or innovative work of outstanding merit in the Humanties

DR VINCENT O’MALLEY HistoryWorks USING HISTORY TO CONNECT NEW ZEALANDERS TO THEIR PAST Presented for his contribution to the research, knowledge, and public understanding of New Zealand history, particularly the New Zealand Wars and Māori-Pakeha relations throughout the nineteenth century. Dr O'Malley has been on the frontline of efforts to ensure New Zealanders take ownership of their history. He was prominent in the push to have New Zealand history taught in all schools, supporting the campaign started by Ōtorohanga College students in 2014. His public engagement is backed by his scholarship, including several books on the New Zealand Wars.

His internationally acknowledged work has transformed how everyday New Zealanders interact with their past.

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PICKERING MEDAL Recognising excellence and innovation in the practical applications of technology

AGRESEARCH | LOW METHANE SHEEP BREEDING TEAM DR SUZANNE ROWE, DR JOHN MCEWAN, DR PETRUS JANSSEN AND DR GRAEME ATTWOOD AgResearch THE WORLD'S FIRST LOW-METHANE SHEEP Presented for breeding low methane-emitting sheep, determining the biological impact on New Zealand's methane emissions, and embedding this breeding solution in the national flock. AgResearch's breakthrough has substantially decreased methane emissions from sheep, and in doing so has provided sheep farmers with a practical tool to help them lower their agricultural greenhouse gases. The team first developed technology and scientific protocols to effectively measure animals in the field on farms, then worked with the industry to implement the breeding approach - this has been a global first for any livestock species.

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DR NIC BLAKELEY DEPUTY SECRETARY LABOUR, SCIENCE AND ENTERPRISE MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT It gives me great pleasure to congratulate to all winners of the 2023 Research Honours.

The passion, curiosity, and drive shown by these researchers across a variety of disciplines is inspiring.

Excellent research and innovation create the knowledge and tools needed to make decisions, tackle complex global challenges, and grow Aotearoa New Zealand for all.

It enhances lives, boosts productivity, and preserves our environment.

All winners can be immensely proud of their outstanding work and dedication. I can’t wait to see what it leads to next. Ka rawe!

2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

PROFESSOR GILL DOBBIE FRSNZ CHAIR, MARSDEN FUND COUNCIL TE PŪTEA RANGAHAU A MARSDEN The Marsden Fund Council is delighted to have supported many of the excellent researchers recognised in this year’s Research Honours Aotearoa.

It is heartening to see recognition for an increasing engagement in mātauranga Māori – an effort we commend for its potential positive impact on the under-representation of Māori in academia.

Fundamental, ‘blue-sky’ research is crucial to ensuring a healthy, vibrant and resilient research culture in Aotearoa, capable of addressing major societal challenges.

It is important that we continue develop capability within Aotearoa through our emerging researchers.

PROFESSOR SUNNY COLLINGS CHIEF EXECUTIVE HEALTH RESEARCH COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND The Health Research Council is committed to supporting and growing a diverse health research workforce whose research can help Aotearoa New Zealand meet current and future health challenges and advance the health of all New Zealanders.

We are proud to partner with the Royal Society Te Apārangi to celebrate the significant achievements of some of our country’s outstanding researchers.

RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

TĀMAKI MAKAURAU AUCKLAND WINNERS RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023 On Wednesday 8 November, we announced five medals and awards in Auckland.

ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI EARLY CAREER RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR SOCIAL SCIENCES For emerging researchers in social science

DR MARIA ARMOUDIAN Director - University Research Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society Faculty of Arts, Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau ADDRESSING BIG SOCIETAL ISSUES Presented for research, leadership and mentoring to advance interconnected goals of sustainability, human rights and good governance.

2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI TE KŌPŪNUI MĀORI RESEARCH For an early career researcher with a promising trajectory who is delivering innovative Māori research

DR HINEKURA SMITH Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Ati Awa Interim Director - Ngā Wai a te Tūi Māori & Indigenous Research Centre, Unitec | Te Pūkenga RECLAIMING, RESTORING AND REVISIONING LIVING AS WĀHINE MĀORI Presented for her PhD research titled ‘Whatuora: Whatu kakahu and living as Māori women’.

MASON DURIE MEDAL Awarded to New Zealand's pre-eminent social scientist

PROFESSOR STEPHEN MAY FRSNZ Faculty of Education and Social Work Director - Master of Regional Development Programme, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau LANGUAGE RIGHTS AND INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE REVITALISATION Presented for his interdisciplinary scholarship and his leadership as a world authority on language policy, language rights, Indigenous language revitalisation, and the multilingual turn in language learning.

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TE RANGAUNUA HIRANGA MĀORI AWARD Recognising excellent, innovative co-created research by Māori, that has made a distinctive contribution to community wellbeing and development in Aotearoa

PROFESSOR REGAN POTANGAROA Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa School of Built Environment, Massey University Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa A CAREER COMMITTED TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND MARAE RESTORATION Presented for his devoted career as an engineer and architect for humanitarian deployments, emergency response and restoring marae.

THOMSON MEDAL For outstanding contributions to the organisation, support and application of science or technology

PROFESSOR NICOLA GASTON Faculty of Science & Co-Director - MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau BOLD LEADERSHIP FOR EQUITY IN THE RSI SYSTEM Presented for leadership in New Zealand’s research institutes and professional societies, and for the dedicated promotion of women in science.

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OUR 2023 MEDALS AND AWARDS CONTINUE! A further seven awards, and three Health Research Council awards will be announced in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on Thursday 23 November. After this, a full listing of winners will be available on royalsociety.org.nz/medals-and-awards

RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

NAU MAI HOKI MAI How inspiring it is to reflect on the work of our illustrious winners! Our awards and medals provide an opportunity to honour their many talents and celebrate the passion they demonstrate for their areas of expertise.

It is important that we celebrate our top researchers and recognise their achievements. Recognition extends appreciation and encouragement. It also provides a valuable marker for the role of evidence-based research and rigour, which are key for the many future challenges and exciting opportunities ahead.

For Aotearoa New Zealand to be guided and inspired by science and research, it is important to acknowledge excellence and best practice, and celebrate the high-quality work of our research community.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini success is not individual but collective, and we extend our thanks to all the colleagues and whānau of the winners who have supported them.

Our warmest congratulations to this year’s winners.

Ka rawe!

DR BRENT CLOTHIER FRSNZ PRESIDENT, ROYAL SOCIETY TE APĀRANGI

2023 RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA

DR BRENT CLOTHIER

RESEARCH HONOURS AOTEAROA 2023

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Royal Society Te Apārangi 11 Turnbull Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 PO Box 598, Wellington 6140, New Zealand T +64 4 472 7421 Published November 2023 Version 0.1