Associate ProfessorAnnabel Ahuriri-Driscoll

Decades old adoption act being reviewed - adoption law reform

Member

Invited member of College of Experts (reviewer in Marsden round)

Anonymous peer review

Anonymous peer review

Anonymous peer review

Invited member of Health Research Council Māori Health Assessing Committee, one of several discipline-based assessing committees responsible for the primary scientific review of all HRC funding proposals. This involved assessment of Expressions of Interest and full applications to the HRC Rangahau Hauora Māori portfolio in September 2012 and April 2013, alongside Māori health research peers. Selection is based on Māori health research experience in addition to HRC track record, reflecting confidence in individual researchers' ability to submit and subsequently assess and identify fundable applications. "The Māori Health Committee and this year’s Chair Dr Barry Smith has recommended that your knowledge and expertise will be most valuable during the assessment of applications" (email 21 August 2012 from Jaylene Wehipeihana, Māori Health Coordinator, Health Research Council).

Invited member of the Health Research Council College of Experts for a 3 year term. The College was established to support the formation of HRC assessing committees and contribute to the robust assessment process of grant applications. "You are one of a group of experts who has been identified as having appropriate scientific expertise and peer review experience for membership. As a thankyou for your involvement, the HRC would like to provide the following: the honour of being nominated by your peers to be a member of the College, recognition of your contribution through HRC publicity regarding the College, the opportunity to provide advice to the HRC as we review our various approaches to health research investment" (letter 26 June 2012 from Dr Robin Olds, Chief Executive, Health Research Council).

The Public Health Association is a voluntary association that takes a leading role in promoting public health and influencing public policy. The PHA goal is to improve the health of all New Zealanders by progressively strengthening the organised efforts of society by being an informed collaborative and strong advocate for public health.

Invited member of Health Research Council Science Assessing Committee, one of several discipline-based assessing committees responsible for the primary scientific review of all HRC funding proposals. This involved assessment of Expressions of Interest to the HRC Rangahau Hauora Māori investment stream in November 2011, alongside Māori health research peers (full applications will be reviewed in April 2012). Selection is based on Māori health research experience in addition to HRC track record, reflecting confidence in individual researchers' ability to submit and subsequently assess and identify fundable applications. "The Māori Health Committee has recommended that your knowledge and expertise will be required in this process therefore we invite you to be part of this committee for the two stage process (EOI and Full)" (invitation from Jaylene Wehipeihana, Project Coordinator Māori Health, HRC, August 5 2011).

Invited to join the University of Canterbury Māori Research Advisory Group as College of Education representative by Professor Angus MacFarlane (2011-present). Drawing on representation and expertise across a range of disciplines/fields, MRAG meets monthly to discuss and assess research applications with regards to their Māori responsiveness and consultation, and provide advice and recommendations to applicants.

Anonymous peer review

Invited member of Health Research Council Māori Health Assessing Committee, one of several discipline-based assessing committees responsible for the primary scientific review of all HRC funding proposals. This involved assessment of Expressions of Interest and full applications to the HRC Rangahau Hauora Māori portfolio in November 2009 and March 2010, alongside Māori health research peers. Selection is based on Māori health research experience in addition to HRC track record, reflecting confidence in individual researchers' ability to submit and subsequently assess and identify fundable applications. "As a knowledgeable researcher with breadth of experience in your field, you have been nominated as a potential assessing committee member" (email 10 June 2009 from Shayne Wijohn, Māori Health Project Coordinator, HRC).

Organisation and support (technical and documentation) of a series of rongoā Māori symposia (2009, 2010 and 2011) which have brought together traditional Māori healers, health providers and other health stakeholders to discuss and present on rongoā Māori practice, health service integration and research. This has been important in 'giving back' to the rongoā community, providing fora in which healers can discuss their take and kaupapa with potential supporters (funders and service providers). - Rongoā and Research: Past, Present and Future; June 28-30th 2010, Tangatarua Marae, Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua. Supported by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, Lakes District DHB and Waiariki Institute of Technology - Rongoā and Integrative Care symposium; May 11th 2009, Great Lake Centre, Taupō. Supported by Ngā Tai o te Awa, Lake Taupō PHO, Te Whare Oranga o Hikuwai ki Tūwharetoa, and Huria Management Trust

Invited to present by John Kapa, Māori Postgraduate Co-ordinator, University of Canterbury. The symposium was held 31 August and drew in Māori staff and students from UC, Lincoln University and Otago University.

I was invited to present a keynote address to the Christchurch Symposium of the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand’s Regional One Day Symposia, 17 May 2009, Christchurch. My presentation was entitled, 'Cultural disparities in health: implications for pharmacy practice'. I was invited by Richard Townley (CEO) on the basis of my expertise in Māori health research and the recommendation of the Pharmaceutical Society president Chris Budgen. I considered this an important invitation; external validation of my credibility as a researcher, and as a presenter able to deliver Māori-focused material to a largely non-Māori audience. This presentation was pivotal to the Pharmaceutical Society's focus on culturally competent pharmacy practice, providing research-based rationale to garner member support for this strategic direction.

Invited to present to the Human Rights Committee Diversity Forum by Human Rights Commission employee (Zheela Vokes) on the topic of: "Community development, bicultural policy dialogue and environmental health research – insights and challenges for best practice". Zheela was particularly taken by a presentation given by Jeff Foote and I on our research to the Healthy Christchurch collective, considering the content enlightening and particularly relevant to several themes of the Diversity Forum. She established an additional session to accommodate us in the forum proceedings. Our Diversity Forum session was well attended, by several people of note including a former Race Relations Conciliator, and a Human Rights Kaiwhakarite.

Invited presentation on my Māori health and wellbeing research (including PhD topic) at the Waitaha Canterbury Regional Māori Postgraduate Symposium, 28 October 2011, upon invitation from Tamara Witika, Postgraduate Coordinator at UC. This symposium was attended by staff and students from Canterbury and Lincoln Universities, and enabled discussions of Māori research across a wide range of disciplines/fields.