Institutions

Institutions like governments and religions can empower the vulnerable and/or discriminate and attack. We study collective actions and categories: their causes, effects and resistance.

We interrogate global colonisation and Indigenous responses to it and, taking a critical stance within academia, we work to decolonise research itself.

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We have numerous experts in feminist theories and/or topics from institutional discrimination to identity expression, including transgender and masculinities.

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Much of our research touches on the perennially important and fascinating topic of power dynamics and hierarchies, between states, classes, and individuals.

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In this world of limited resources and competing interests, we develop and assess policy aims, tools, design and implementation from public health to economics.

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We study religious beliefs, action and cultural impacts from Shinto, Asian Christianity, ancient Egyptian myths and critical theology to philosophy of religion.

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We research human rights and global and national distributions of opportunities, economic wealth, and social privileges — and oppression and risks.

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We study the causes, acts and representations of humans purposely causing harm to humans, such as war, genocide, terrorism, rape, family violence and coercion.

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We study a wide array of youth experiences and issues including education, crime, sex, social media, culture, mental health, politics, migration and sport.

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Professor Tim Dare makes a difference by helping government agencies make informed decisions on privacy, human rights, and ethical risks.

Meet Tim

Dr Melissa Inouye's research shows how members of religious communities aren't passive consumers of beliefs, but use their agency to shape religious practice.

Meet Melissa

Dr Tiopira McDowell explains the importance of the archives — and working for the 'other side' — in unsettling official myths about Māori-Crown relations.

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The PPI provides independent analysis and insight into key policy issues affecting New Zealand and the world.

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We combine macro and micro knowledges — getting down to the nitty-gritty and zooming out for the larger picture — to develop understandings of life.

Focusing on the details

People make, shape and break physical and political locations — and vice versa. We study kaitiakitanga, disaster recovery, health and migration — old and new.

Exploring places

Narratives help us to explain events, actions and motivations with a beginning, middle and end. We study the stories of others and create our own.

Telling stories