The research environment

The research environment encompasses the physical, social, ethical, cultural and financial landscapes you will navigate throughout your degree. Knowing how to keep safe in the lab, how to manage stress and burnout and how Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural context may impact your research and relationships could be foundational to the experience.

It is made up of four categories:

  • Tikanga Māori
  • Ethics and integrity
  • Wellbeing, health and safety
  • Funding and grants

Tikanga Māori

The University is committed to the rights and obligations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Building and maintaining a connection with Te Ao Māori and Tikanga Māori helps candidates to research in a way that is consistent with Vision Mātauranga.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Navigate - Te Ao Māori; Te Kawa o Waipapa/Marae Protocol Workshop; Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop.

Actions and experiences: Read works by Māori thought leaders in your area; Download the Te Kūaha app; Develop your Te Reo skills; Attend a Mihi Whakatau.

Links to other resources:

Ethics and integrity

The University has strict rules around ethical conduct and academic integrity. All candidates should ensure they understand and abide by rules and guidelines, and are aware of the consequences of academic misconduct. Completing the compulsory academic integrity module is helpful, but you may need to develop further knowledge depending on your research.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Academic integrity course; Online ethics training modules; Referencing and avoiding plagiarism; Intellectual property.

Actions and experiences: Discuss research ethics with your supervisors; Keep comprehensive notes during your reading; Reference well; Speak up when you come across unethical practices.

Links to other resources:

Wellbeing, health and safety

Nothing should compromise your ability to stay physically and psychologically safe and healthy in all aspects of your research. At the University of Auckland, this means having the tools to manage stress and maintain a sense of wellbeing - skills that can benefit your personal as well as professional life - and ensure you are physically safe and risk aware within your working environments.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Wellness in Academia webinar series

Actions and experiences: Undertake a risk assessment for your research; Enrol with University health services; Report health and safety hazards or concerns; Stay connected to friends, family and/or peers; Schedule in time for hobbies or activities you enjoy; Take annual leave; Join a sports group; Go to the gym or join a University Rec Centre group class; Talk to a counsellor if you are struggling.

Links to other resources:

Funding and grants

Understanding funding landscapes and application processes can be crucial for advancing your doctoral research or furthering your career goals. Proactively searching and applying for grants can increase your chances of successfully gaining funding throughout your degree and beyond.

Examples and resources

Courses, workshops and events: Coming soon

Actions and experiences: Make a grant application; Discuss application-making with your supervisory team and/or peers; Read Doctoral News for details of upcoming scholarships and grant opportunities.

Links to other resources:

Finding courses, workshops and events

There are a number of places outside of Wahapū that you can browse to find development activities, for example: