Discovering study and career opportunities over the summer

For 2020-21, the University of Auckland awarded 401 Summer Research Scholarships to high-achieving undergraduates. Each scholar received a $6,000 tax-free stipend to conduct a research project under supervision for 10 weeks over the summer months.

From social media rules to modern slavery to the future of Asia-Pacific trade to the harshness of justice systems, this year’s Summer Research Scholars from the Business School are delving deep into real-life issues and expanding their career horizons.

Dylan completed a Summer Research Scholarship on the international business of modern slavery with Associate Professor Christina Stringer and Professor Snejina Michailova.

Why I applied

"The Summer Scholarship aligned with my plans to start a masters in 2021. At the same time, I also thought it would help fill some of my skills gaps, particularly in academic writing. Modern-day slavery intrigued me, and I felt that contributing to this research would be a genuine way for me to make a difference, however small."

Working with supervisors

"Of my three supervisors, I have had the most contact with Brent Burmester. Brent was a joy to work with. He was never in a rush and always had as much time for me as I needed. I admired his breadth of knowledge as well as his ability to articulate his thoughts in a way I could understand. Christina had taught me during my studies for two separate courses and working with her in a different capacity has been equally rewarding."

What I learned

"The ability to sift through thousands of seemingly related studies and articles and quickly figure out which are worth pursuing and which are not. In my first week, I would spend too much time on leads that led nowhere, but I soon learned what to look for, and quickly.

"The most important knowledge I learned was definitely the depth and gravity of modern slavery practices in 2021. Before starting my research, I was under the impression that those types of practices were far removed from us in the west. I have learned that, not only does it happen in our backyard, but if we own shoes or phones made by large multinationals using the standards and supply chains required by industry, then we really are not far removed from it at all."

On career and study

"The experience from the Summer Scholarship has definitely helped with my study decisions. It gave me a real sense of what life is like studying within the Business School and showed me that I had somehow discovered the right study path moving forward."

Melanie completed a Summer Research Scholarship on New Zealand’s future Asia-Pacific trade with Associate Professor Rob Scollay.

Why I applied

“ ‘New Zealand’s future in Asia-Pacific trade in an Age of Shocks’ is a topic I’ve always been interested in both in my University studies and in the news. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over 60% of New Zealand’s exports, which has important implications for this region. Having taken undergraduate and postgraduate courses on Asia-Pacific trade made me want to study the topic further.”

Working with supervisors

“Working alongside Associate Professor Rob Scollay in the Economics Department and being able to talk about various data, interesting trends and applying them to the real world has been really useful. I especially valued hearing insights from an experienced researcher in the field, and then seeing how these insights related to events happening in the news.”

What I learned

“The Summer Scholarship has given me a greater insight into the practical operation of international trade policy and New Zealand’s trade and economic involvement in the Asia-Pacific region. I have been able to pick up additional skills extracting information and analysing original data and relevant policy material. By identifying the changes in the Asia-Pacific regional trading environment resulting from various shocks, I have gained a greater understanding of the international trade sphere.”

On career

“I’m incredibly interested in international trade and New Zealand’s involvement. This Summer Scholarship project has amplified my interest in this field, which is where I aim to work in the future.”