The Otago Post - issue 8

For people interested or involved in postgraduate study at Otago

Technology has had considerable impact on research, and no less in the research and creation of a PhD thesis. In decades past a typewriter and secretary, hand-drawn figures, matrices, graphs and formulae, hand-collated references and bibliography were the norm. Now word processing, automated style sheets, bibliographic software and active links to the web have made the process easier, and more efficient. The tools are there to assist the researcher – laborious tasks diminished.

But I think the real changes and challenges still lie with the researcher, the person who grapples with literature, original thought and logical arguments. Even more, there are increasing societal challenges to the 'practicality' of research. Pure or even esoteric research may be questioned as to its immediate worth.

Humankind has the innate desire to question, to reason and to expand and discover knowledge, ideas and concepts. We should see scholarly research as fulfilling this invisible internal force. It should be largely immune to external pressure. Our response is to defend the desire to enquire, for whatever reason.

However, there is an opportunity to more closely relate to the demos in other ways. As we hold our place as the critic and conscience of society would it be unacceptable to facilitate the confluence of research with social and corporate responsibility? Is there merit in researchers, students and staff, providing honorary knowledge and skill services to the third sector – the not-for-profits? The excitement and personal gratitude will be the pursuit of knowledge and being actively engaged in social responsiveness. Can we do it?

Professor George Benwell
Dean, School of Business,
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Division of Commerce

Latest News

Travel fascination leads to textual analysist
If you have any sense of wanderlust at all, talking to Anita Perkins about her research into the way people experience travel or mobility will get your feet twitching.

International publication from Postgraduate Diploma research
In a climate of growing concern over greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, carbon credits and the effects of global transport, Warren Fitzgerald has the satisfaction of knowing he hasn't sat back and done nothing.

MBA makes for a “serious year off”
“A very serious year off” is how Ian Lafferty, University of Otago Director of Executive Programmes describes the Otago MBA (Master of Business Administration).

Research into anxiety disorder builds understanding
Not long after Christchurch-based mental health nurse and addiction worker Claire Gilbert took up a position managing a clinic for women with addictions, she identified that most of the women also experienced a range of other psychological disorders — with anxiety disorders highly prevalent.

In Brief

Entrepreneurship programme in Queenstown
From this month business people and aspiring entrepreneurs have the chance to complete a University of Otago Master of Entrepreneurship programme in Queenstown…

August showcases Otago's postgraduate research
The University of Otago's Graduate Research Month promises to be even bigger and brighter in 2011 with new events including workshops and presentations from an international guest speaker and New Zealand's first University-run Twitter conference...

Postgraduate Information Evenings
If you're considering postgraduate study at any level – Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, a Masters degree or PhD, either on-campus or via distance learning – then take a diary note of Otago's upcoming Postgraduate Information Evenings at a main centre near you…

People supporting postgrads
If you're thinking of postgraduate study at Otago or are already here but need some support, here are two new faces fresh to the ranks of the postgraduate support team available…