Our people
Biography
Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, is an Associate Professor at Massey University.
She has a PhD in astrophysics from Canterbury University, where she investigated gamma ray bursts as possible sites for high energy neutrino production. Dr Harris has since been the Chairperson of the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions (SMART), where she applied her physics expertise to the collation and the revitalisation of Māori astronomical star lore.
Research interests
As a Principal Investigator on the Marsden funded project “Ngā Takahuringā ō te ao: The effect of climate change on traditional Māori calendars”, Dr Harris has significant experience and expertise in how to build bridges between Mātauranga Māori and currently topical areas of scientific research.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can help us develop technologies to help mitigate these really big issues around environment.
Associate Professor Pauline Harris
In the news
News Article
Connecting with Indigenous whanau at NASA to build a Māori Aerospace sector
April 15, 2024
Pauline Harris and Kirsty Doyle are part of a joint six-month feasibility study looking at Earth observation research with NASA.
Read more about Connecting with Indigenous whanau at NASA to build a Māori Aerospace sector
Annual Report
AMN10 - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
New funding initiatives, biggest ever AMN10 outreach programme and the conference's first ever commercial stream.
Annual Report
Our research programmes over the years
April 18, 2023
There has been an evolution to move the focus of applications more towards global challenges of climate change and sustainability.
Annual Report
Rhodes Trust trip to Oxford
April 14, 2023
Our Deputy Director Māori Associate Professor Pauline Harris travelled to Oxford in October with Juliet Nelson.
Annual Report
20 years through a Mātauranga Māori lens
April 14, 2023
Of all the lenses we could apply to the MacDiarmid Institute’s 20 years, one of the most important to examine is our work in the Mātauranga Māori space.
Annual Report
Science for a sustainable future
May 27, 2022
The 2021 Regional Lecture Series was able to go ahead in-person this year, with the theme of Science for a Sustainable Future.
Annual Report
World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village
May 4, 2022
Our Investigators Associate Professor Franck Natali and Dr Pauline Harris gave online oral presentations at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC).
Read more about World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village
Annual Report
Discovery Scholarships programme grows with new sponsorship
May 4, 2022
Our Discovery Scholarship programme for Māori and Pacific peoples in tertiary science received continued funding.
Read more about Discovery Scholarships programme grows with new sponsorship
News Article
Dr Pauline Harris appointed as MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director Māori
March 16, 2022
Dr Pauline Harris has been appointed to the new position of MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director Māori.
Read more about Dr Pauline Harris appointed as MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director Māori
In The Media
Climate change impact on Māori wellbeing and culture 'sobering' yet 'insightful'
October 22, 2021
A new report highlighting the effects climate change will have on Māori in the coming decades is “sobering”, but presents an opportunity to adapt.
Read more about Climate change impact on Māori wellbeing and culture 'sobering' yet 'insightful'
In The Media
The free camp that encourages Māori and Pacific students to consider careers in science
August 24, 2021
The free camp that encourages Māori and Pacific students to consider careers in science.
News Article
MOU celebrates ongoing partnership with Whakarewarewa Living Village
August 2, 2021
We celebrated the collaboration and partnership with Whakarewarewa Village by signing a second MOU and a Statement of Intent.
Read more about MOU celebrates ongoing partnership with Whakarewarewa Living Village
News Article
Mānawatia a Matariki
July 2, 2021
Dr Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
We would like to acknowledge this time of the…
In The Media
Matariki holiday will 'better connect us with the natural world'
May 12, 2021
Dr Pauline Harris is part of the advisory group and speaks on the challenging yet rewarding task of finding the right date for Matariki
Read more about Matariki holiday will 'better connect us with the natural world'
Annual Report
Summer studentships for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni
March 30, 2021
Summer studentship descriptions for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni.
Read more about Summer studentships for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni
Annual Report
Environmental monitoring and Maramataka
March 30, 2021
Research is being conducted in collaboration with the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions (SMART).
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2020
March 24, 2021
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2020. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Dr Pauline Harris - Annual Report 2019
March 8, 2020
Many know Dr Pauline Harris for her work in Māori astronomy, and traditional calendar systems, but may not realise she also has a PhD in physics.
Annual Report
New Principal Investigators - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
An overview of the research interests of each of our eight new Principal Investigators.
Read more about New Principal Investigators - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
News Article
New Principal Investigators
August 27, 2018
The MacDiarmid Institute proudly welcomes eight new principal investigators.
Videos
Materials science in environmental remediation of Papatuanuku
June 21, 2019
MATERIALise 2018 - Dr Pauline Harris discusses how the intersection of mātauranga Māori and materials science could inform environmental remediation.
Read more about Materials science in environmental remediation of Papatuanuku
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