Equity Committee

Meet our Faculty of Science Equity Committee (FoSEC) members, and access minutes and other documents.

Our vision

The Faculty of Science Equity Committee (FoSEC) works towards an inclusive and diverse faculty, where:

  • Staff and students from all backgrounds are valued, supported, and have real and meaningful opportunities for participation and success, without the operation of implicit or explicit bias which can result in discrimination.
  • Māori as tangata whenua, and members of equity groups, are fully represented across students and staff, and have access to environments and resources that will help them to flourish.

The FoSEC facilitates achievement of this vision through the development of initiatives to explore and support equity, diversity and inclusivity considerations, the implementation of policy and practice, and the monitoring and reporting of progress towards the achievement of this vision.

To learn more about equity initiatives, working groups, getting involved, reporting equity issues, and discussing ideas, get in touch with Sonia Fonua (Chair of the Equity Committee) and Megan Waters (Faculty Administrator) via science-equity@auckland.ac.nz.

This is a confidential inbox. Any items will be handled in a confidential manner and will only be escalated with full consent. All ideas are welcome.

Minutes and documents

Access meeting minutes and other documents on our staff intranet page.

Committee Chair

Associate Professor Frederique Vanholsbeeck

Associate Dean, Diversity and Inclusivity
Phone: +64 9 923 8881
Email: f.vanholsbeeck@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Frederique Vanholsbeeck

Committee members

Dr Nicolette Rattenbury 

Professional Teaching Fellow
Phone: +64 9 923 3720 
Email: nicolette.rattenbury@auckland.ac.nz 

"I'm the representative for the Department of Mathematics. I am interested in helping the university to be a safe, welcoming and equitable space for all staff and students’’ 

Miss Merrion Baker

Student Support Adviser
Phone: +64 9 923 3113
Emailm.baker@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Merrion Baker

Lizzie Tafili 

Student Support Adviser Māori and Pacific students.
Email: lizzie.tafili@auckland.ac.nz

Mr Shrestaneel (Neel) Narayan

Postgraduate Officer and Vice President of Science Student Association

"I am the representative and voice for the Science Student's Association and Science Student body. Being passionate about Equity and Well-being, I want to work towards a more inclusive, accessible, and safe university environment and community for all students while supporting fellow students to achieve their goal in whatever form it may take. I am dedicated to appreciating individuality and diversity, and I love to hear new ideas and understand new perspectives."

Dr Rebecca Deed

Lecturer
Phone: +64 9 373 7599
Email: rebecca.deed@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Rebecca Deed

"I'm the representative for the School of Chemical Sciences. I'm a member of the Rainbow Science Network, and an advocate for Women in Science."

Ms Sonia Fonua

Professional Teaching Fellow

Phone: +64 9 923 9710
Email: s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Sonia Fonua

Dr Anne Gaskett

Senior Lecturer
Phone: +64 9 923 9509
Email: a.gaskett@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Anne Gaskett  

"I’m a woman in science, and a parent, and I’m the Equity representative for the School of Biological Sciences. I have a particular interest in diversifying the field of ecology, particularly by working towards more inclusive access to undergraduate courses with fieldtrips."

Dr Sina Greenwood

Associate Dean, Pacific
Phone: +64 9 923 8776
Emails.greenwood@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Sina Greenwood

"I'm the Associate Dean for Pacific."

Mr Sean Maguire

Academic Services Manager
Phone: +64 9 923 2345
Email: s.maguire@auckland.ac.nz

Dr Yannan Jiang

Senior research fellow
Phone: +64 9 923 4725
Email: y.jiang@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Yannan Jiang

"I am an academic staff member in the Department of Statistics, a senior biostatistician, a woman in science, and a parent. I am interested in health research and teaching, and would like to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive environment in our university and faculty."

Associate Professor Annette Henderson

Associate Professor
Phone: +64 9 923 2521
Emaila.henderson@auckland.ac.nz
Profile: Annette Henderson

"I represent the School of Psychology. As a woman in science working to find the right balance between academia and parenting, I am passionate about doing what I can to foster growth in Equity-related issues across the University community."

Dr Ivana Sequeira

Research Fellow
Email: i.sequeira@auckland.ac.nz

"I represent postdoctoral staff."