Research opportunities

Navigating the SDR journey

Researchers at AUT are interested in hearing how your whānau navigated the SDR journey.

They are conducting a research project talking to whānau (including children) about their journey of accessing, attending and recovering from SDR surgery.

For more information watch the YouTube video below, then contact researcher Lee Dixon: 

• Phone 021 0651 202
• Email sdr@aut.ac.nz

Abortion is a Human Right and Health Issue: Disabled People’s Experiences of Abortion Services in Aotearoa New Zealand

This research seeks to understand disabled people’s access to, and experiences of, a wide range of abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings from the research will help the government and healthcare providers to address matters of disability rights, and deliver more equitable, inclusive and accessible abortion services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The findings will also feed into the New Zealand Government’s 5-year review of the Abortion Legislation Act 2020.

Researchers are looking for 20 people to answer a questionnaire.

They will also interview 12 people who answered the questionnaire and showed interest in doing a follow-up interview with one of the researchers. 

All participants must be 18 or over and be able to provide informed consent to participate. 
They would like to hear from people who have accessed abortion services or have thought about using abortion services since 2020. 

The questions will be about your experiences of using or thinking about using:

• abortion services,
• abortion-related mental health support or assessment,
• counselling, and
• contraception services.

Questionnaire Advert

Questionnaire Patient Information Sheet

Scientists seek children with Cerebral Palsy for space-like anti-gravity walk

Anti-gravity training, similar to space-like walks, could help children with neurological and physical impairments improve their muscle coordination, strength and mobility.  

An anti-gravity study led by Dr Pablo Ortega-Auriol, Research Fellow at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and Department of Exercise Sciences Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, is hoping to reveal and promote new muscle coordination patterns which could increase the quality of life for children living with cerebral palsy.

Pablo is looking at the coordination between muscles and muscle patterns to identify the primary movements of walking.

He is recruiting children aged from eight to 15 years old with cerebral palsy (GMFCS I, II, or III)  to take part.

“It is a big commitment but once that baseline data is established, the plan is to develop a training programme as a rehabilitation tool.”

Learn more on this info sheet. 

Anyone interested in participating or who has additional queries about the anti-gravity treadmill study can contact Dr Ortega-Auriol  (p.ortegaauriol@auckland.ac.nz) or April Ren (a.ren@auckland.ac.nz).

Click here for an article from Radio New Zealand.

Flourishing Together – Including Tāngata Whaikaha Māori and Disabled People in Policy Development

You are invited to take part in a research study asking disabled people about the things that make it easier or harder for them to find a home that works well for them and their families. 

What is the research about?
The overall aim of the research is to explore ways to better include the voices and experiences of disabled people in health-related policy within NZ.  

We are developing methods and tools that allow disabled people to share their experiences and expertise in meaningful ways. 
To develop these methods, we are exploring one policy area – what makes it easier or harder for disabled people to have choices and be in control when accessing a home that works best for them and their families?
You can find more information (including a video) on the project website: www.flourishingtogether.co.nz

Who can take part?
You can participate if:

• You self-identify as a disabled person
• Or you are a family or whānau of a disabled person
• You are at least 16 years of age
• You live in Aotearoa, NZ
• Other terms for ‘disabled people’ that you may be more familiar or comfortable with include ‘person living with a disability’, ‘tāngata whaikaha Māori’ or ‘whānau hauā’.
• Some people prefer to say they have an impairment, or live with the ongoing impacts of an injury or illness. 
• You can take part if you have experienced disability since birth, or due to illness or injury later in life.

You can read the Research Invitation here. 
Start filling out the survey here. 
Alternatively, you can find more information, including contact details, on the project website.

You do NOT need to answer all the questions in the survey. Rather, the researchers are inviting participants to share their thoughts on two to three questions that are most relevant to them.
You can also access the survey for up to one month – allowing you to gradually add to your response over time.