He Papa Moana/Moana Project Master’s Scholarship

Scholarship level: Master’s Research
Tenure: One or two years (full-time)
Number offered: Up to two
Value: $17,500 stipend per annum, plus full fees and some research expenses

Description

The five year Moana Project www.moanaproject.org is a large, cross-institutional team of researchers led by MetService and the Whakatōhea community to explore ocean dynamics and connectivity in relation to destabilising influences, such as marine heat waves. New sensors for measuring will help us better understand and thus manage ocean warming impacts on marine sustainability. We explore how mātauranga Māori connects and inter-relates with this physical data. Historical ocean observing, voyagers and mātauranga contribute to a cross-cultural ocean knowledge platform (He Papa Moana) that supports the revitalisation of Māori as oceanographers, informs iwi interests and supports ocean health.

Eligibility

Up to two Master’s scholarships are available to work under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Ocean Mercier on projects that support other iwi/hapū interests. Projects are invited that extend tangata whenua understandings – past and present – of ocean dynamics (broadly understood), as well as hapū aspirations for marine harvest, aquaculture and sustainability, and how to connect these to physical data on te moana.

During the Master’s project, sucsessful applicants will:

  • Work with a national network of researchers and communities, particularly the He Papa Moana branch of the Moana Project;
  • Determine and research an aligned marine kaupapa of significance and interest to particular iwi/hapū/rohe, using appropriate methodologies;
  • Provide conceptual thinking, feedback and data support to He Papa Moana for the development of a cross-cultural knowledge platform;
  • Communicate research findings in academic and public communications, both oral and written.

Criteria

  • Applicants should have completed either an Honours or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Māori Studies, Marine Ecology) by February 2021.
  • Applicants should have whakapapa links to the iwi/hapū of interest for their proposed project.
  • Applicants should be able to start by March 2021.

Application process

Applicants who are interested in applying for this scholarship are required to send an email title "He Papa Moana/Moana Project Master’s Scholarship" to: Assoc. Prof. Ocean Mercer: ocean.mercier@vuw.ac.nz

Applicants must include the following documents in their email:

  • A statement of research interests and experience
  • A copy of your CV
  • A copy of your academic transcripts
  • An indication of the topic or issue you are interested in researching
  • An indication of your potential start date
  • Names and contact details of two academic referees who are willing to provide confidential comments on your suitability for the Master’s study

Regulations and conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
  2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
  5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
  6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

For more information please contact Assoc. Prof. Ocean Mercer: ocean.mercier@vuw.ac.nz