Imogene Kate Woodmass – Specialist Claims Assessor

“As specialist claims assessors, it is our job to use available information to assess claims brought to us by survivors of abuse in state care. We provide recommendations to support decision-making around these claims, informed by research and analysis within the historic claims framework.

“Being a part of a survivor’s journey to heal in any way – big or small – is a very meaningful part of the role. Knowing that the work you are doing is making an impact on someone’s life is a very important and rewarding part of the job, and something I am privileged to do.

“I have been very fortunate to have a couple of roles through the University of Auckland that have given me a strong skillset for public service. I was a graduate teaching assistant for Global Studies between Semester 1 2022 and Semester 2 2023. During my masters, I also worked for Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures as a research assistant, where I supported numerous research projects, including co-authoring a piece on society-wide conversations for the International Public Policy Observatory. I additionally worked as a research assistant for Women in Engineering during this time.”

Near the end of her undergraduate studies, Imogene felt like she hadn’t completely finished her university journey.

“I have always enjoyed researching and writing and learning, so going into my masters felt like a natural next step. As I graduated during Covid, options felt a bit more limited and pursuing my masters seemed like a good option. I did look at a few different postgraduate programmes at different universities, but Global Studies definitely had my heart.

“The Global Studies faculty has always been very supportive towards me, and I like that it was a smaller faculty where I got to have closer relationships. Additionally, I really like the Global Studies approach – that I got to pick a more niche subject that incorporated my interest in global politics and the Pacific."

"In my job, we are looking at personal files and information from residences or institutions to help assess claims – sometimes really looking for the needle in the haystack. Coming from Global Studies, where I was familiar with using different information sources to form my argument, has benefited me in this role greatly.”

For Imogene, a real highlight was submitting her thesis.

“It felt like a real culmination of a lot of time, work and support – and I was really proud to submit my work. It was the longest piece of work I had ever written and something that I had poured a lot of time and effort into, and that final submission felt like an important moment in my university career.

“I think postgraduate study is such a great idea if you want to keep learning. It helped me expand the way I think and know and understand. What I truly value as part of my postgraduate studies was talking with other students, lecturers and guest speakers to expand my worldview and ways of knowing. Postgraduate studies really gives you the opportunity to enjoy learning itself, using your study area as the vessel for that.”

Imogene’s advice to anyone considering postgraduate study is to get involved as much as possible.

“Your experience is truly what you make of it, and the more you engage with your classmates, with staff, with the University, the more you will get back.
“I want to give a very special shoutout to the Global Studies teaching staff. I feel very lucky to have worked with some amazing people who really supported me and uplifted me both through my studies and my career.”