Postgraduate Research

Exceptional PhD Theses in the Division of Humanities

We like to celebrate excellence at every level, and we take great pleasure in announcing that the following PhD candidates have presented theses of exceptional quality.

A thesis is of exceptional quality when all three examiners of a candidate's thesis agree that the thesis is of an exceptional standard in every respect – research content, originality, quality of expression and accuracy of presentation – and is amongst the top 10% of theses examined.

2010 Exceptional Thesis

Octavian Saiu, Department of Languages and Cultures: Beckett, Ionesco and the question of literary identity. A case study in the European reception of the theatre of the absurd at the end of the twentieth century
(Primary Supervisor: Dr Constantin Grigorut; Secondary Supervisor: Professor Chris Ackerley)

For more information on Octavian's work, please contact the Department of Languages and Cultures by email: languages@otago.ac.nz

2008 Exceptional Theses

Dr Marcel Fernandes, Department of English: Borges and pragmatism: Jorge Luis Borges, William James and the destruction of philosophy
(Primary Supervisor: Professor Chris Ackerley)

For more information on Marcel’s work, please contact the English Department by email: english@otago.ac.nz

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Gill Rutherford, University of Otago College of Education: Different ways of knowing? Understanding disabled students' and teacher aides' school experiences within a context of relational social justice.
(Primary Supervisor:  Dr Anne Bray, Secondary Supervisor: Dr Motohide Miyahara)

For more information on Gill’s work, please contact the College of Education by email: education@otago.ac.nz

2007 Exceptional Theses

Dr Greg Dawes, Department of Philosophy: Theism and explanation: a defence of scientific naturalism.
(Primary Supervisor: Professor Alan Musgrave)

For more information on Greg's work, please contact the Philosophy Department by email: philosophy@otago.ac.nz

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Dr Robert Peden, Department of History: Pastoralism and the Transformation of the Rangelands of the South Island of New Zealand, 1841 to 1912. Mt Peel Station, a case study.
(Primary Supervisor: Professor Tom Brooking).

For more information on Robert's work, please  History Department by email: history.arthistory@otago.ac.nz