Strong University presence in Fulbright Awards

The Fulbright Programme of educational exchange is one of the largest exchanges of scholars in the world.

University of Auckland Vice Chancellor, Professor Dawn Freshwater said she was pleased to see so many UoA staff, students, and alumni receiving this recognition.

"There is no question that a Fulbright award offers a lifechanging experience that will continue to open doors throughout a recipient’s career. It’s exciting to see our people making the most of this opportunity,” she said.

The University of Auckland associated Fulbright awardees for 2022 are:

Zoë Henry (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu, Makefu – Niue), Auckland, will research Indigenous conceptions of punishment at the University of California, Los Angeles towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Zoë graduated with a BA in 2014, BA (Hons Second Class) in History in 2016, and an MA (First Class) in History in 2018 from the University of Auckland.

Bronte Heron, Taranaki, will complete a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the New School, New York City. Bronte graduated with a BFA (Hons First Class) in 2016 from Elam School of Fine Arts, and an MA in Creative Writing in 2021 from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington.

Melody Yunjeong Kim, Auckland, will research childhood trauma and youth mental health at the University of Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Melody graduated with a BSc in Psychology in 2020, and a BSc (Hons First Class) in 2021 from the University of Auckland.

Rayhan Langdan, Wellington, will complete a Master of Laws in electoral law at the University of California, in Berkeley, California. Rayhan graduated with an LLB (Hons) and a BA in History and Politics in 2018 from the University of Auckland.

Alehandrea Raiha Manuel (Ngāti Pōrou) will research equity and telehealth in Indigenous ear and hearing healthcare at the University of Arizona in Tucson Arizona, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Alehandrea graduated with a BHSc and PGDipPH (Distinction) in 2012 from the University of Auckland, and an MAudSt in 2014 from the University of Queensland.

Sophie Oliff, Wellington, will complete a Masters of Science in Clinical Service Operations at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Sophie graduated with a BHSc (Hons) in Population Health in 2013 from the University of Auckland, and a BPharm in 2016 from the University of Otago.

Rachel Simon-Kumar, Auckland, will research a feminist political science project called the ‘Ethnic Minority Women in New Zealand Politics Project’ at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Rachel is an associate professor at the University of Auckland.

Georgia Third, Auckland, will complete a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California Santa Cruz, California. Georgia graduated with a BSc in Marine Science and Environmental Science in 2020, a PgDipSci in Marine Science in 2021, and a MSc in Marine Science in 2022 from the University of Auckland.

Rebekah White, Auckland, will complete a Master of Arts with a Science Concentration at Columbia Journalism School in New York, New York. Rebekah graduated with a BA in English and Comparative Literature in 2009 from the University of Auckland, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from Auckland University of Technology in 2010.

Liam Wooding, (Ngāti Hinearo, Ngāti Tuera/ Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi), Whanganui, will research music performance at the University of California San Diego, California towards a DMA at the University of Waikato. Liam graduated with a BMus in Classical Performance from the University of Auckland in 2013, an MMus (Hons First Class) from the University of Waikato in 2017 and completed the Professional Performance Program at the Australian National Academy of Music in 2019.

Rachael Yielder, Auckland, will research people’s mindsets towards illness and medication and how they influence health outcomes at Stanford University in Palo Alto California, towards a PhD at the University of Auckland. Rachael graduated with a BA in Psychology and Sociology in 2013 from the University of Auckland, a BA (Hons First Class) in Music Business from the University of Sussex at BIMM Manchester in 2017, and an MHealthPsych (First Class Hons) from the University of Auckland in 2022.

Joseph Xulué (Siloam - New Caledonia, Lufi Lufi, Fagamalo - Samoa), Auckland, will complete a Master of Laws in criminal justice reform and Indigenous peoples’ rights at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joseph graduated with a BCom and LLB in 2016 from the University of Auckland.

The Fulbright Programme was established in 1946 to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges between the US and other countries.

Founder, Senator J. William Fulbright, believed the programme could play an important role in building a lasting world peace in the aftermath of World War II.

The Fulbright Programme operates in more than 155 countries, funding around 8,000 exchanges per year for participants to study, research, teach or present their work in another country.

The 2022 Fulbright New Zealand cohort will be honoured at a special awards ceremony at the National Library in Wellington on Monday 27 June, hosted by Hon Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Minister for Courts.

Applications are currently open for 2023 Fulbright New Zealand scholarships.