Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences

Celebrating excellence in research 👏

Congratulations to Dr Apriel Jolliffe Simpson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa ki Taupō), who has been awarded a Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship.

Her research will develop a systematic approach to identifying high-harm perpetrators of family violence and supporting behavioural changes.

🔗 Link in comments for more information on Dr Jolliffe Simpson's research.


The University of Waikato Te Puna Haumaru - New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Ka rawe, Danika 🫶

🎓 Graduation day is almost here!

If you can’t be there in person, don’t worry - you can still cheer on our graduates from anywhere. Catch all the action live on the University of Waikato Facebook and YouTube channels.

📺 Watch the livestream on YouTube ⬇️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAkYD3eKDdE

🔔 Tap “Notify me” on YouTube so you don’t miss when we go live!

➡️ Find out more about graduation on our website: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/students/graduation/

🎙️️ Exciting Internship Opportunity for ALPSS Students looking for a WIL placement!
Are you passionate about gender equality? 💜 ALPSS has a paid Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity for C Trimester, working with an external employer to create a podcast series for radio!
As part of the role, you’ll:

🎧 Research topics on gender equality
🎤 Find and host guest speakers
🎛️ Produce and edit podcasts
📱 Create social media posts to promote the series

No prior podcasting experience is needed—the basics will be taught! All you need is a drive to make a difference and the enthusiasm to learn.

Hurry - spaces are limited! 📩 Get in touch today to learn more or apply: [email protected]

Last month we hosted a Model United Nations event, organised by Rototuna Junior and Senior High Schools students.

126 students, from 15 regional high schools, ventured onto campus here at The University of Waikato and delved into the world of becoming international diplomats, debating solutions to real-world global issues and negotiated with other countries 🌎

Congratulations on a fantastic event - we can't wait to see what these remarkable young leaders do in the future!

Check out the comments for a link to our International Relations subject study options 🙌

Thinking about what your summer is going to look like? Join our Ready for work: Summer Job Toolkit event!

📅 Tuesdy, 9 September | 🕚 11am - 1pm | 📍 Te Koporua, The Pā

✔️ CV checks
✔️ Job application tips
✔️ Volunteering and job opportunities

Click here 👉 https://shorturl.at/1nrbE 👈 to book your spot at this event!

Careers Services - University of Waikato

In August, Dr Apriel Jolliffe Simpson presented research on poly-victimisation at the 2025 Applied Research in Crime and Justice Conference in Sydney. This research was completed alongside colleagues Associate Professor Lisa Tompson, Donelle Steer, and Professor Richard Wortley.

You can watch her full presentation and learn more about this important topic via the original post below 🎥👇

Understanding types of poly-victimisation Event: 2025 Applied Research in Crime and Justice ConferenceDate: 4 August 2025 Name of presenter: Apriel Jolliffe Simpson, The University of WaikatoTitle: U...

Congratulations to PhD student Zac Issac on recieving the 2025 Koko Kairangi Best Thesis Prize 👏

To read more about Zac's research, which shows that it is not completely dark inside the womb, click here 👉 https://shorturl.at/agpfY 👈

Congrats to PhD student Zac Isaac, who’s just received the 2025 Koko Kairangi Best Thesis Prize for research that shows it's not completely dark inside the womb after all!

By modelling how light travels through skin and muscle to reach the uterus, Zac and the team have paved the way for innovative in-utero research into foetal vision and brain development.

The discovery could shape how scientists understand what babies can see before they’re even born. Incredible stuff.
🔗 Link in comments to read more on this research.

Thinking about postgraduate study in 2026? 🤔

Join us this Wednesday, 13 August, to hear about the study options available from the School of Psychological and Social Sciences!


The University of Waikato University of Waikato - Tauranga

Mark Wednesday, 3 September in your calendar and come along to get your Work Integrated Learning questions answered 📆

The University of Waikato

WIL Work Placement Opportunity for English, Writing Studies, or History Students!

Are you passionate about local history and a great storyteller? 📚✍️

We're looking for a student (either in or approaching their final year of study) to help capture the oral history of a unique local attraction - a story full of humour, natural disasters, and inventive solutions to problems!

🗓️ This unpaid placement can be completed over Summer School 2025 or A Trimester 2026, with travel costs covered when visiting the site. Much of the work can be done remotely.

This is a great opportunity to gain real-world writing and research experience in a flexible, meaningful project.

📩 Interested? Contact Andrea, ALPSS WIL Co-ordinator:
📧 [email protected]


The University of Waikato Te Kura Toi - School of Arts - University of Waikato

Last week, we were proud to host the launch of Dr Reuben Steff’s new book: New Zealand's Geopolitics and the US-China Competition. The event drew a fantastic turnout, highlighting the growing interest in New Zealand's role in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Dr Steff is a Senior Lecturer at The University of Waikato, where he teaches New Zealand Foreign Policy, International Relations and Global Security. He is also a member of Te Puna Haumaru - New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science.

Congratulations to Reuben on this important contribution to the conversation on geopolitics and global strategy! 🌏📖