DoctorNicola Surtees

I have been a member of Sociological Association Aotearoa New Zealand (SAANZ) since the beginning of 2009. SAANZ encourages the development and dissemination of sociological knowledge, provides a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas, encourages and assists the sociological examination of New Zealand society and contributes to policy initiatives and investigations.

I have been a member of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) since 2008. NZARE aims to foster excellence in educational research in New Zealand, publishes the New Zealand Journal of Educational Studies (NZJES) and organises national conferences and seminars.

I am an active member of the Canterbury Chapter of OMEP (World Organisation for Early Childhood Education), 2007-present. I attend regular meetings and have assisted in organising research seminars for teachers including: Dr Jill Robbins (Senior Lecturer, Monash University, Australia), “Culture, communities and connections” and; Alise Shafer (Director of Evergreen Community School Santa Monica, California, USA/Lecturer at the University of California and Santa Monica Community College), “Communities of learners.” In 2011 our usual programme of professional development for teachers was suspended due to the February earthquakes. We continued to liaise with teachers about how best to meet their needs during this period.

Conference address, favourable comment: Warren Lindberg from the Human Rights Commission sent me a letter (15.7.02) following a presentation of my research exploring the experiences of lesbian and gay students at the Christchurch College of Education. On of his comments was: "I am enormously encouraged by the work you have undertaken, and would like to be able to support you further."

Speaker invitations for Auckland Kindergarten Association (2006-2008): In 2006 I was invited by the Association to provide a full day professional development seminar on gender and sexualities matters in early childhood for the Association's teachers in Auckland, alongside Alex Gunn (2.10.06). In 2008 I was invited by the Association (Rosemary Searle, 13.3.08) to speak at a national Senior Teacher Hui in Auckland. The hui theme was Celebrating Diversity and I spoke on lesbian and gay led families in early childhood. Feedback was sent to me later. Typical comments: “great speaker, great subject”; “sensitive speaker who delivered a thoughtful presentation on a subject that is not widely discussed.” In 2008 I was invited by Katie Marshall (14.3.08) to run a workshop on my sexualities research for the Association’s teachers in Auckland. Later that year Natalie MacKenzie (10.10.08) asked Alex Gunn and I to run a one-day seminar for the Association's teachers in Auckland based on our research.

Speaker invitations, Gunn & Surtees (2009), 2009-2010: Alex Gunn and I were invited by Karen Stewart (Senior Policy and Research Analyst, Families Commission) (16.6.09) to present our research report at their annual research seminar in Wellington: Gunn, A. C., & Surtees, N. (2009). "We're a family": How lesbians and gay men are creating and maintaining family in New Zealand. Wellington: Families Commission, Kōmihana ā Whānau. Our presentation was well received. The following year, Associate Professor Judith Duncan invited us both (21.8.10) to present a keynote on this same research at 'The Gathering'. Hosted by the Early Years Enquiry Research Group (EYE), a cross-institution group, this annual event brought together early years professionals to engage in dialogue around research and pedagogy. Our keynote was well received. Typical evaluation comments included these: “Fantastic, so eye opening”, “Thought provoking, honest presentation.”

Speaker invitations for varied organizations (2008-2009): I received four speaker invitations during this period. Susan Elliot (19.4.08) asked Alex Gunn and I to speak at the NZEI Rainbow Network National Hui in Wellington on our respective research around sexualities issues in early childhood at which we were well received and, Sue Fergusson (24.6.08) asked me to take a two-hour professional development seminar for Zero to Five for teachers in Christchurch. The seminar was well attended. Sue collected evaluations noting in an email: “Nothing but good feedback. I’d love for you to run another course for me.” Miriam Giugni invited me to speak at a Social Justice in Early Childhood (SJIEC) forum in Sydney in both 2008 and 2009 on issues relating to children, education and sexualities. SJIEC is a politically active Australian organization working for social justice issues relevant to the lives of children. It has national and international members made up of academics, researchers, consultants, teachers etc.

Speaker invitations for varied organizations (2011): On 14.1.11 Anthony Semann, Director of Semann and Slattery (an Australian company providing research and consultancy services) asked me to join a panel exploring issues related to sexuality and early childhood education at the Outgames Human Rights Conference in Wellington in March. He and Kerry Robinson, Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney, had agreed that: “…it might be useful to have a NZ and AUS combined presentation.” The panel was well received. On 5.7.11 Jenny Walker, from Rangi Ruru Early Childhood College, confirmed an earlier request that I present my PhD research at the Nanny Education Organisation of New Zealand Conference in 2012. On 22.11.11 Debora Lee, from the University of Auckland, invited me to participate in a panel at the Queer Tertiary Educators' Hui, an inaugural conference to be held in Auckland for queer educators working in or associated with tertiary education in early 2012. I accepted both invitations.