Staff excellence recognised

Commitment to climate change, student support, a safe environment, teaching and learning were recognised at the University’s annual Staff Awards last night.

Seven awards were announced for Professional Staff, while previously announced research and teaching awards were presented at the ceremony.

Award for Sustainable Practice by Staff (Team)

• Department of Botany

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award (Team)

• Psychology Pastoral Care Team

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award (Individual)

• Martin Jones, University Union

Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff

• Samantha Campbell, Client Services (Sciences)
• Dr Rachel Elliot, Research and Enterprise
• Danella King, Proctor’s Office
• Claire Ramsay, Organisational Development (Vice-Chancellor’s Award)

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson offered her congratulations and thanks to the award recipients.

“The competition for these awards is always fierce, underscoring the exceptionally high calibre of our staff who contribute to the success of our University. I am immensely proud to be part of an organisation that boasts such dedicated and accomplished kaimahi.

“The award winners – both groups and individuals - exemplify excellence, and their contributions resonate throughout our university community.”

Department of Botany – Award for Sustainable Practice by Staff (team)

The Department of Botany is leading the way in sustainable practises, and is inspiring others by doing so, one of the team’s nominator’s says.

Taking on the United Nation’s sustainable goals one, two and three - no poverty, no hunger, good health and wellbeing- the team grew food to share among staff and students. Four academic staff are also a part of Ag@Otago, a university-wide initiative to address goal two – no hunger. During 2022 the department composted their food waste, which along with donated seeds and recycled potting containers helped them to grow vegetables for a local food bank

Associate Professor Paul Guy worked with divisional staff and the Dunedin City Council’s Enviroschools to create a module which was provided to schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. He has also written a children’s book on sustainability. These actions helped the team tackle goal four – quality education - beyond their role as tertiary educators.

Associate Professor Janice Lord’s design and implementation of a green roof for the William James building helped the team to do their bit for goal seven, affordable and clean energy.

Supporting goal 12, responsible consumption and production, the purchase of a hybrid Outlander has helped the department become leaders in reducing net emissions from fieldwork travel as has tree planting to offset carbon from the trip. A ‘Free Table’, for people to drop off goods they no longer want, has been a part of the department for five years, and there numerous collection and recycling depots available.

In addition to goal 13, climate action, being part of teaching, research and administration, many department staff have electric vehicles, supported School Strike 4 Climate marches, and a covered bike park has been installed to encourage people to swap their cars for bikes.

On behalf of the team, Professor David Orlovich says it feels great to receive the acknowledgment that what they do day-to-day contributes to a more sustainable workplace.

“The recognition is a great occasion, but much of what we do has become normal to us now, and we know this is a journey that we are all travelling on, so there is plenty of room to continue improving.”

The team is comprised of:

Professor David Orlovich

Associate Professor Paul Guy

Associate Professor David Burritt

Associate Professor Janice Lord

Associate Professor Linn Hoffmann

Associate Professor Tina Summerfield

Dr Matthew Larcombe

Dr Katja Schweikert

Dr Anna Wood

Dr Kunle Adebowale

Dr Andy Nilsen

Pamela Cornes

Gigi Laroche

Sujin Lee

Susan Mackenzie

Katherine van der Vliet

Bronwyn Hughes

Jacqueline Fraser

Professor (Hon.) Barbara Barratt

Emeritus Professor Sir Alan Mark

Emerita Professor Katharine Dickinson

The Department’s motto is “Connecting plants and people for a sustainable future”, and this award is recognition that we are putting these words into action, Professor Orlovich says.

“Plants underpin human society, and Botany offers the tools and expertise to reduce human impacts on the planet.

“Directly and indirectly, sustainability drives much of the teaching and research that we do, and we are privileged to be on a journey with our tauira to create a better future for everyone.”

Psychology Pastoral Care Team – Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award (team)

The effort the team has made to promote and enhance student and staff wellbeing within the Department of Psychology has been “outstanding”, one of the team’s nominators says.

“Their unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and healthy space for students has made a remarkable contribution to student culture and success.”

The Pastoral Care Team is made up of three core members - Dr Marea Colombo (Pacific liaison), Sophie Mathieson (Kaiawhina) and Dr Abby Pigden (general pastoral care), with help from Holly Stewart, Dr Kirsten Cheyne and Dr Jules Gross.

The team has developed and implemented a wide range of innovative wellbeing programs that cater to the diverse needs of the students. They arrange regular catch-ups with students and support any who are experiencing challenges.

The entire team is part of the Psychology Department’s Equity Advisory Group, which Dr Colombo chairs. The group provides direct input into all the dimensions of equity.

The team also works together to provide extension outreach to potential students.

“They have worked hard to make our Student Hub a welcoming place where students at all levels can come to get support from academics, wellbeing or informal social activities.”

On behalf of the team, Dr Colombo says she’s “very proud” they have won the award.

“I think the team has worked really hard, and it’s just really nice for everyone to have the University acknowledge the work that they’re doing because lots of it is quite innovative.”

The team has received positive feedback from students, she says, but it’s nice to get a “you did it” from the University as well.

The core team of three each have quite different roles, but the overarching goal is to provide pastoral support for 100 and 200 Level students. They would also support 300 Level students if needed.

One of the team’s new initiatives is running Whānau Labs for Māori and Pacific students to aid their learning of 100 and 200 Level lab content.

“We increased a lot of wellbeing amongst our Māori and Pacific students and really helped them to see that their culture can be deeply embedded in their psychology learning, which was quite special for them.”

The team has existed in its current iteration for about 18 months, Dr Colombo says, as that is when she and Mathieson started. Dr Pigden had been doing a lot of the pastoral work on her own prior to that.

The team was started because Psychology is a large department and there were students struggling to know where to get help form.

“And that’s a lot of our historically marginalised population. So that’s disabled students, Māori and Pacific students, as well as students who felt like they were overwhelmed, or confused. We are lucky to walk alongside them.”

Martin Jones – Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award (individual)

Martin Jones may be in his twenty-fifth year at the University of Otago, but he is still “the first person to put their hand up if anything needs done”, one of his nominators says.

“He considers staff wellness as a priority within his role and undertakes it with empathy and a general caring nature.”

Jones, the University Union Operations Manager, is involved in the running of many busy staff and public facing spaces including the Hunter Building, ISB Link and University Union. He also oversees a number of production and satellite outlet kitchens and kitchenettes where heating, general and chemical storage, service and refrigeration equipment are located.

Jones provides high level practical and strategic health and safety advice to the whole Campus and Collegiate Life Division.

He has been a member of the University Emergency Management Team since its inception, playing an essential part with his expertise in hospitality.

“This was often brought to the fore during the COVID-19 period and other periods of need.”

Jones is also a Mental Health First Aider.

In his spare time, he is an avid tramper and cyclist, and assists with the local Park Run at the Botanic Gardens.

Another nominator says Jones is an “outstanding contributor” to health, safety and wellbeing on campus.

“He is constantly striding about campus ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the University Union’s 350-plus staff who work across our 22 business units.”

Jones cares for all of the University’s students who study, eat or play in the University Union, ISB Link, UBar, Auahi Ora, Otago Business School, Marsh Study Centre, St David Street complex, the Prayer Rooms, Parents Room, Locals, Toroa Dining Room and the Women’s Room.

Jones is “very humbled” to receive the award.

“Health and safety is a team responsibility and I am fortunate to have a very good team around me. The award is recognition of the effort we all share in keeping our workplace as safe as possible.”

Jones investigates Vault incidents and chairs the University Union’s health and safe committee, representing Campus and Collegiate Life within the overall Operations Group. He organises health and safety training courses for the University Union team.

He has been with the University for 24 years and says his role in health and safety has “grown and expanded over the years”.

Samantha Campbell – Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff

One of Samantha Campbell's nominators says student interaction is a key part of her work and students are happy to sing her praises.

“[Sam] always tries her best to solve our problems at the first time. We all love her.”

“Sam was always smiley and upbeat. She was very helpful and explains everything in a way everyone can understand.”

The majority of students she works with are in the first semester of their first year at university, and sometimes a little bit overwhelmed. Campbell goes out of her way to ensure they all feel welcome and supported, calling on her broad institutional knowledge to answer their questions, not all of which are related directly to her role.

“It is her goal to leave no question unanswered and no student unsupported,” one of her nominators says.

Campbell has a tremendous ability to troubleshoot, which sees her identifying and solving issues, often before they arise. She has a keen interest in improving processes and procedures, making things run more smoothly and efficiently, and everyone loves her attention to detail.

“Her rainbow spreadsheets are now at the heart of much of what we do.

“She is invariably cheerful and even tempered, even under stressful situations.”

Client services administrator Campbell says she primarily supports the HSFY paper CELS191 Cell and Molecular Biology, but over the past 3-4 years she has also supported CHEM191.

Campbell says she did not expect to win the award and that it was a nice way to end the year.

“I have been so lucky working within such a great team in CELS191, and I couldn’t really do any of it without them!”

Being embedded in a paper with such a large number of students – more than 1800 - sees her making her way through a wide variety of daily tasks; “no one day is the same”.

“I work closely with the teaching team helping to prepare materials and assisting them with whatever they might need.”

Her primary purpose is to be that first point of contact for students, and she strives to provide them with as much support and guidance as she can.

Campbell took on the role of Campus Temp, arriving in Ōtepoti from Melbourne in 2016. In 2018 her final campus temp role was within CELS191.

“I was just lucky enough to stay embedded in the paper when Client Services was established.”

Dr Rachel Elliot - Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff

Dr Rachel Elliot’s performance as a facilitator of research in the University is exceptional. Having undertaken research herself, Dr Elliot has an excellent understanding of the needs of researchers and the research process, one of her nominators says.

Dr Elliot is a senior research advisory manager for Research and Enterprise.

“When combined with her extensive knowledge of external research funding mechanisms and University processes and people, this enables her to make a substantial contribution to research within the University.

“Her dedication extends beyond the call of duty.”

Dr Elliot’s visionary approach, strategic judgement and strong commitment have consistently propelled the University towards remarkable milestones.

“What truly distinguishes Rachel is her meticulous yet pragmatic approach; she strikes an exceptional balance in her counsel and advice.”

She has been known to bring a “sense of calm” to tense conversations, and her style of management helps her staff bring out the best of themselves.

Dr Elliot’s values and character consistently manifest as mana manāki, tautoko takata and aroha tētahi ki tēahi.

Through her leadership and efforts of her team, University of Otago researchers have received invaluable support for their research endeavours, resulting in the creation of impactful scientific contributions.

“Rachel’s long-standing commitment to the institution has truly made a significant impact.”

Dr Elliot is honoured to be nominated for the award.

“I was chuffed when my manager told me he was nominating me. I see the award itself as acknowledging the dedication and performance of the whole Research and Enterprise team.”

She has been fortunate to work with many talented and generous people throughout her time at Otago. Dr Elliot started working for the University in August 2006 and has held her current position since November 2018.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way.”

Dr Elliot hopes she is doing the best she can in her role while giving back in-kind to the community and encouraging others to consider research management as a career.

A highlight of her role is seeing the broad range of excellent research being carried out, and the potential benefits of it for Aotearoa and beyond; “this research may make a difference to people’s lives today or in the future”.

One of the challenges of her role, but also what makes her role interesting, is that there is no day the same.

Most of her days involve a mix of managing advisory staff who support researchers in applying for and securing funding, and direct communications with researchers, as well as negotiating with research funders and sponsors.

“Research doesn’t always progress as expected and there can be a lot of post-award support required.”

Dr Elliot also participates in the dynamic Aotearoa New Zealand research ecosystem, and maintains good working relationships with funders, other sponsors of research, researchers and professional staff.

“It is vitally important to understand the national – and international – landscape in order to strategise and operate effectively.”

Research activity also involves training new researchers, including students, who will go out into the world to do great things.

“Knowing this helps with a sense of fulfilment in the research advisory role.

“Sometimes our contribution to the activity may be small, it may be none and sometimes it will be significant, and it keeps you going when days are tough.”

Danella King – Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff

“Danella King is an absolute guru when it comes to CCTV investigations,” one of her nominators says.

And the Campus Watch Team Leader’s technical ability is equalled by her tenacity and persistence.

“Danella regularly goes above and beyond in this area for students, staff and property owners who have been offended against – like a dog with a bone Danella uses her knowledge of the University and her understanding of the CCTV network to track and identify offenders, allowing the Police and Proctor’s Office to hold them accountable.”

She has assisted in the handling of sexual assaults, robberies and burglaries, and helped reduce harm on campus.

“Every year Danella achieves exceptional results for the university community. Her performance is consistently outstanding.”

Dunedin Police were impressed by her work and her “meticulous attention to detail and commitment to finding the evidence”.

She also offered exceptional service to the University during the COVID-19 pandemic, manually loading all access for staff, students and contractors.

“This work was significant, time consuming and technical. Equally, the work required Danella to work significant overtime and on days off – for example if the Government changed alert levels, there was little or no warning. If it occurred on a Friday it would involve Danella working well into the night and on her weekend off to ensure door access was loaded correctly and as expected by the University’s Senior Leadership Team.”

It required a lot of attention to detail, with no room for errors.

“Danella delivered this work flawlessly, in a timely fashion and without complaint – she knew it needed done, she knew she was the person to do it and she took ownership of it and delivered it on countless occasions, seamlessly.

“This was an extraordinary effort in extraordinary times.”

King says winning the award was an “incredible surprise”.

“It is the greatest compliment I have ever received. I thoroughly enjoy my work and it seems incredible to me that others have appreciated my efforts so much that they have nominated me for this award.”

King has held the role of Campus Watch team leader for two years but has been working within the Proctors Office and Campus Watch for nearly 17 years.

She says while her day is incredibly varied, the one thing she does every day is oversee the running and correct function of the University’s security systems.

Claire Ramsay – Award for Exceptional Performance by Professional Staff - Vice-Chancellor’s Award

“We need more people like Claire,” one of Claire Ramsay’s nominators says.

Ramsay is a recruitment coordinator for Organisational Development, and according to her nominator, “everyone knows Claire and loves her”.

“She smiles her way through campus and it’s a contagious smile.”

Ramsay is an “exceptional University citizen” who has contributed to the success of every department and area she has worked in.

“Claire is dedicated and hardworking.”

She is a proud kaimahi of the University, and she genuinely cares about the organisaton, staff and students.

“Her integrity is second to none, people at all levels of the organisation trust her implicitly.”

She displays “great manaakitanga and is an excellent culturally aware role-model for other staff” while the University works towards being a Te Tiriti-led university.

Ramsay is proactive, engaged, prompt at answering enquiries and offers excellent feedback.

“Claire is a problem-solver. If there is a better way of solving a particular problem, she will proactively work on a solution and present it to the team with the level of detail that is hard to match. She is pro-active and always thinks ahead, using her excellent knowledge of the University and key stakeholders to benefit everyone.”

She was at the heart of the University’s response to COVID-19 in her role as executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer. She provided support day-in and day-out to the Strategic Emergency Management Group and was noted for being an “exceptional administrator”.

“Your work, professionalism and sense of humour are greatly appreciated.”

Ramsay is “super humbled and quite shocked. It was a bit overwhelming when my boss came and told me that I [won the award]”.

Ramsay has been in her current role as recruitment coordinator within Organisational Development for two years, but has worked for the University for 16 years, and was a student here prior to that.

“A big chunk of my life has been at the Uni, it’s kind of a second home to me in a way.”

Ramsay started working in Humanities and Te Tumu after she graduated, before moving to the Law Faculty. More recently she worked as Executive Assistant to Chief Operating Officer Stephen Willis before moving to Organisational Development two years ago.

“This award for me is about being a part of an awesome community. I’ve worked with some amazing people over the years and been a part of some really cool teams.”

Some of those people have become a “second family” for her.

“That’s what I’ve loved about my time here. It’s always been about the people I get to work with, collaborate with and learn from.”

Ramsay says she is just one of many awesome professional staff at the University.

“I love the University community and I feel very loyal to the Uni and the people I’ve worked for over the years. When you feel that, that’s why you work hard.”

Early career researcher awards

Dr Hemakumar Devan (Department of Medicine, UOW); Dr Simon Jackson (Department of Microbiology & Immunology); Dr Matthew Jenkins (Department of Psychological Medicine, UOW); Dr Matthew McNeil (Department of Microbiology & Immunology), Dr Sara Miller (Department of Chemistry) Dr Kimberly O’Sullivan (Department of Public Health, UOW); Dr Stephen Young (Faculty of Law)

Māori Early Career Award

Dr Alana Alexandra (Department of Anatomy), Dr Erica Newman (Te Tumu);

Tofa Saili Pacific Early Career Award

Dr Troy Ruhe (Va’a o Tautai)

Rowheath Trust Award & Carl Smith Medal

Professor Jemma Geoghegan (Department of Microbiology and Immunology)

Research Group Award

Professor Rebecca Campbell (Centre for Neuroendocrinology) 

Distinguished Research Medal

Phillipa Howden-Chapman (Department of Public Health, UOW)

Excellence in Teaching

Associate Professor Anna High (Faculty of Law); Associate Professor Sunyoung Ma (Oral Rehabilitation); Talai Mapusua, with endorsement for supporting Pacific learning (Va’a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health); Arianna Nisa-Waller, Kaupapa Māori category, (Hauora Māori, Kohatu Centre for Hauora Māori); Dr Lisa Russell, Dr Keith King, Dr Kim Watson, Andrea Brown, team category (CELs teaching team, Zoology); Disability Information and Support Team, team category.