Dr Aimee Ward

Research

I am an experienced public health researcher, with expertise in multiple methodologies including both quantitative (e.g. survey design and analysis), and qualitative (e.g. focus groups and “photovoice”) approaches. Since completing my Masters in International Health in 2008 I have been employed as a researcher in Taiwan and France, before coming to New Zealand. The opportunity to work with several groups on a wide range of topics in various countries has provided me with diverse experiences. For example, I've advised on research methods for colleagues working with traditional birth attendants (Taiwan/Malawi), created online collaboration techniques among cancer epidemiologists (France), obtained competitive funding to co-author a book chapter on reproductive health in women (France/Canada), and facilitated collaboration between universities in different countries (USA/Taiwan).

When we arrived in NZ in 2010 I began working as an Assistant Research Fellow for the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, and since that time I've had the opportunity to collaborate with several research groups including Professor Hank Weiss (Injury Prevention Research Unit), Associate Professor Debra Waters (Departmentt of Medicine, Collaboration of Ageing Research Exellence), Professor Leigh Hale (School of Physiotherapy), Professor Haxby Abbott (Department of Surgical Sciences, Centre for Musculoskeletal Outcomes Research), and the renowned Dunedin study, providing research support by gathering data, reviewing literature, and drafting manuscripts. I also spent seven years as a tutor in the Early Learning in Medicine (ELM) programme. Throughout these experiences, I have learned the value and importance of collaborating across departments and disciplines. In 2014 I began my PhD research, which involved supervisors in both the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine and the Department of Geography, investigating transport and well-being among older adolescents. I completed my thesis in August 2017, and I graduate 12 May 2018.

My current position is as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Medicine, supervised by Professor Rachael Taylor and working with the Edgar Diabetes and Research (EDOR) team, investigating sleep and obesity among children. This is a new and exciting topic of research for me, which will enhance my expertise in working with children and families.