2023

After two seasons of record-breaking lows, Antarctica’s sea ice remains in dramatic decline, tracking well below any winter maximum levels observed since satellite monitoring began during the late 1970s.

John Chrisstoffels is a senior lecturer at the University of Canterbury and a critically acclaimed filmmaker and musician of over 35 years. A respected member of the New Zealand film-making community, John regularly assists and mentors young filmmakers around the country, lending his support to film organisations and events. His latest film, Building Bridges: Bill Youren's Vision of Peace, chronicles the life and times of Hawkes Bay farmer and peace activist Bill Youren during the post-war years

Melissa Lee has been appointed as the inaugural chief executive of the Chinese Canadian Museum. Opening later this year in Vancouver, "the establishment of the museum comes at a critical time and addresses the need for ongoing public education surrounding cultural respect and inclusion" says Melissa. Looking back on her time at UC, she thinks fondly of Aotearoa and reminisces on the flat whites and Anzac biscuits.

Cleve Cameron is the founder and managing director of Big Street Bikers, an organisation all about establishing and operating a new electric infrastructure and leading a culture of electric biking.

Beginning her filmmaking career here at the Ilam School of Fine Art, Zoe McIntosh is now an award-winning director of commercial, documentary and dramatic works. Her latest feature film, Stylebender, had its global premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023, where it was nominated for Best Documentary and Best New Director.

Award winning 'technical storyteller' Karen Wrigglesworth graduated from UC with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1994, now she combines her engineering expertise and geographic and heritage knowledge to share stories of regional New Zealand.

A love of travel and adventure has taken Ghislaine Lewis around the world. Originally from the Caribbean, Ghislaine has studied in Virginia, Florida, New Zealand, and Australia. She is now an Associate Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia with research interests in new media, global politics, and policy. We caught up with Ghislaine almost 10 years after living and completing her PhD here at UC.

Hamish Laird grew up working with electrical circuits and electronics so it's no wonder that he went on to study engineering and start his own company, ELMG Digital Power. Hamish is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow here at the University of Canterbury, supervising the next generation of electrical engineers.

A new study from University of Canterbury (UC) researchers, focusing on reliable energy generation, could be the key to recharging our communities.

Sonia Yee has worked in broadcast media for over a decade, specialising in podcasting, radio documentaries and long-form features. A passionate and creative storyteller, Sonia runs production company Double Ten Media, and has recently launched her new platform, Close to the Mic, a place that gives voice to the podcasting industry.

Carl Davidson is one of New Zealand's best-known social scientists, with over 30 years of experience in the insights industry. His busy schedule includes being the founding partner of Research First, Senior Adjunct Fellow here at the University of Canterbury, and author of 10 books and has recently been selected as a 2023 Insight250 winner, acknowledging him as a leader in market research, data-driven marketing and insights.

Designing a redress system for survivors of abuse in care is of utmost importance to achieve healing, new co-chair says.

Psychology Professor Randolph Grace discusses the miraculous correspondence between mathematics an physical reality on The Conversation.

Jeff Bell is a political cartoonist and illustrator, currently working with the prominent New Zealand media organisation, Stuff. He was named Cartoonist of the Year in 2022 at the Voyager Media Awards and has recently illustrated two children's books, The Sad Banana and The Lonely Lemon. Jeff spoke to us about how he got started in this career and what is perhaps on the cards next.

A graduate of the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Cam McCracken and is putting his exte the Director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and the Dunedin Chinese Garden.

After a successful career in marketing, Alastair McLae decided to go back to study and follow his passion for football and sport. Graduating with his Bachelor of Sport Coaching in 2022, he is now the Club Manager for Christchurch United FC, a Director with the Football Federation Samoa, and Director of his own football consultancy business – a true example of someone turning their interests into a career. We spoke with Ali about how all of this came to be.

After completing her undergraduate and master's at the University of Tehran, Zahra and her family emigrated to Aotearoa to embark on a new adventure. Once successfully completing her PhD, Zahra is now working to support ethnic communities in her role with the Ministry of Education.

Tuaopepe Abba Fidow is the Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. "I’ve been extremely blessed to have worked with and for passionate, intelligent and generous people, committed towards a single goal of improving the lives of New Zealanders" says Abba when reflecting on his career in the public service.

Over a thousand tamariki from across Waitaha Canterbury participated in Te Mātāpuna Mātātahi I Children’s University’s On-Campus Experience Day.

Amid global calls to reduce plastic production, new research shows high amounts of plastic in Arctic Sea ice and sediment.

It’s a motivating feeling helping students get back on track by being a sounding board, adviser and problem solver.

Tim Hume is a London-based reporter for VICE World News covering extremism, migration, and politics in Europe. He is also the host of Decade of Hate, a VICE series of short documentaries covering the far-right in Europe.

Improving access for diverse learners is a common theme among the 2023 winners of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury’s annual Teaching Awards.

Rachel Evans (Ngāti Tama) had planned a career in law, working as a clerk, solicitor, legal advisor before returning to UC to lecture. At the start of 2023, Rachael was awarded an $80,000 scholarship for PhD research investigating how iwi can exercise rangatiratanga (sovereignty or autonomy) through the development of fiscal authority. We spoke to her about her research, teaching and highlight from her UC experience.

A new study at the University of Canterbury will explore how public buildings, including schools, could be designed to use sustainable cooling and heating technology and help New Zealand achieve its net-zero 2050 goal.

A research facility prototype developed at the University of Canterbury will soon orbit Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

To explore what is possible, non-Indigenous scholars Mahdis Azarmandi and Sara Tolbert offer an anticolonial feminist praxis for unsettling settler institutions.

Breaking down barriers to equitable healthcare using technology and innovation has become the mission of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) engineering researchers.

Inspiring experts and business leaders, including former Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield, are sharing their knowledge in a new series of video interviews.

On the Conversation, Dr James Mehigan explains why Australia and NZ could become republics, and still stay in the Commonwealth.

UC postgraduate student has been selected by NASA and the NZ Space Agency for an internship in the United States.

UC student is in her element operating machinery in a processing plant that extracts an edible protein from leafy crops.

UC Engineering PhD students have created a tool, affectionately known as BOB, to help prevent the third leading cause of death in New Zealand.

Wood and paper-based disposable cutlery is seen as a greener option than plastic, but a Canterbury academic is warning it could actually present more of a threat when it comes to climate change.

When three Christchurch friends found out they’d been awarded the same full-fee scholarship to study at university they called everyone they knew to share the news.