Join us for an evening of ideas and innovation. You will hear presentations from two Fulbright award recipients: Octavius Jones and Elizabeth Broadbent. Octavius and Elizabeth will be discussing their research around the role of Māori women in marine science, and the role of robotics in healthcare, and how these both intersect with technology.

Octavius Jones, 2019 Fulbright US Graduate Grantee
Octavius is over from the United States on a Fulbright award, based at Victoria University of Wellington. Octavius’ research project seeks to examine how Māori women understand and implement sustainable use of marine resources, and what their strategies and methods are for passing these knowledges down to younger generations. Through digital storytelling he is examining how Māori women understand their environment, and what role they play in marine conservation.

Octavius will discuss:
- His research project, and why he was motivated to choose New Zealand as a place for research
- New Zealand’s strengths in science and innovation
- His predictions for the future of these industries

Elizabeth Broadbent, 2017 Fulbright New Zealand Scholar Award Recipient
Elizabeth Broadbent is a Fulbright New Zealand Scholar award recipient from 2017. On her Fulbright scholarship in the US, she researched the design of companion robots to improve health at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently conducting research into how we can enhance robot-patient communication via verbal and nonverbal behaviours. These behaviours may increase patient trust and satisfaction with healthcare robots, and result in better health behaviours and outcomes. A particular interest is building emotional intelligence in robots.

Elizabeth is currently a Professor in Health Psychology at the University of Auckland.

Elizabeth will discuss:
- Her research project
- The United States’ strengths in science and innovation, and how this compares to New Zealand
- Her predictions for the future of these industries

This will be an evening of ideas and innovation – a conversation about current work that’s impacting tomorrow’s future, at home in New Zealand and beyond. This is innovation that’s good for the world in action. Learn more about Fulbright New Zealand, and our awards in Science and Innovation for New Zealanders who also want to be part of the future of global innovation.