Top honour for Victoria professor
Professor Colleen Ward from Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Psychology has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Professor Colleen Ward from Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Psychology has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
The prestigious award recognises longstanding, high-quality research and the advancement of the sciences, technologies or humanities.
Professor Ward is the Director of the University’s Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, which studies the challenges posed by globalisation, migration and increasing cultural diversity.
Her research explores how culture affects human behaviour and experience, with a particular focus on the process of cultural integration and how those who transition into new cultures adapt socially.
Her studies also include an exploration of cultural identity and the perceptions of immigrants by members of a host country.
The Royal Society of New Zealand awarded Professor Ward the fellowship based on the substantial contribution she has made to her field, noting that her research has been systematically and widely applied.
Recognition was also made of her international leadership qualities and the significance of her work with Government in understanding and improving relationships among the many cultures within New Zealand.
“I am delighted to be welcomed into this prestigious group of New Zealand’s top scientists and would like to thank Victoria University and the members of New Zealand’s diverse ethnic communities who have supported my research over many years,” says Professor Ward.
Victoria’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford says the University is extremely proud of Professor Ward.
“The award is extremely well-deserved recognition of the high-quality and highly relevant research that Professor Ward has undertaken for so many years,” says Professor Guilford.