Get involved

On this page

• DAP Reference Group
• Interested in joining the DAP Reference Group?
• Auckland University Disabled Students Association
• Disabled Staff/Staff with Disabilities Network
• More information

The DAP Reference Group membership has a diverse composition of academic and professional staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students across STEMM (science technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) and CABEL (creative arts, arts, business, economics, and law) with lived experience and/or expertise in this area. 

The DAP Reference Group critiques progress and gaps throughout the four-year life of the DAP, and provides workstream owners with feedback to inform the DAP review process.

Membership commitment

• Student members, one-year term to November 2023
• Staff members, two-year term to November 2024

Voting members both student and staff representatives

Andy Fey
Emma Cooper-Williams
Julia Stjarnhage

Voting members student representatives

Elise Leslie
Emily Moore
Jess Kelly
Iona Anderson
Sasha Rodenko
Talia Nicol
Zainab Iqbal

Voting members staff representatives

Dr Allan Fowler
Emma Sadera
Dr Laura Wilkinson-Meyers
Mathew Nuttall, Co-chair
Dr Priyanka Agarwal, Co-chair

Non-voting member

Professor Cathy Stinear, Pro Vice-Chancellor Equity

The Equity Office is now seeking expressions of interest from current students and staff members interested in joining the Disability Action Plan Reference Group. 

The reference group acts as critic and conscience to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of progress and gaps for each of the five workstreams, throughout the life of the Disability Action Plan. 

This opportunity is for

• Current students with lived experience of disability
• Staff members with lived experience of disability
• Professional or academic staff with knowledge and expertise relevant to the DAP

Being a member of either the staff or student disability networks is preferred but not essential as these networks have further opportunities to influence the DAP work.

Expected time commitment:

Members of the DAP Reference Group are asked to commit to the following:

• A one-year term for students from November 2023 to November 2024.
• A two-year term for staff members from November 2023 to November 2025.

During this time you would need to be available to attend meetings, in person or online. The estimated total time commitment is 10-12 hours per year.

What should I include in my Expression of Interest?

Your expression of interest should be concise. It can be sent in the body of an email. It should say

• Who you are and your relationship to the University
• Why you should be considered. You could include examples of your experience or skills.
• Why you want to join the Reference Group. You could describe what you hope to contribute as well as what you hope to gain from being involved.

Sending my Expression of Interest

Please send your expression of interest to Vicki Watson, Equity Manager at equity@auckland.ac.nz Your expression of interest should arrive no later than 12 midday,  Monday 25 September 2023.

Auckland University Disabled Students Association (AUDSA) is a student-led group established to amplify and advocate for disabled student voices and the inclusion of disabled students on campus. AUDSA aims for disabled students to have equal access to their education and all aspects of university life. It works to provide the space for all students with a disability to join their community and meet fellow students like them. Fill in the AUDSA sign up form to join.

Should you require support, Ratona Hauātanga Tauira | Student Disability Services (SDS) work towards creating a safe, inclusive and equitable educational environment for students with disabilities. Prospective and current students can make appointments through the online booking system.

The Disabled Staff Network provides a connection for disabled staff/staff with disabilities across Waipapa Taumata Rau. It functions to build community and connection, support, information-sharing, and advocacy.

Meetings are held throughout the year and can be in-person or online, as needed.

There are opportunities through the network to participate in subgroups on specific issues. The network is open to all disabled staff and staff who identify as having a disability. The network is currently chaired by Professor Ginny Braun in the School of Psychology, Faculty of Science. Read Professor Braun's profile. 

To join the network please email staffdiversityequityandinclusion@auckland.ac.nz 

Staff members who are also studying with the University can choose to join both the staff and student networks.

If you have any queries relating to the information on this page, please email Vicki Watson, Manager – Equity.