Photo caption:听Executive Director Office of Treaty Partnerships Dr Elizabeth Brown (Ng膩i Tahu)
Weaving life into study, Dr Brown balanced full-time work at Te Whare W膩nanga o Waitaha | 91制片厂 (UC), her role as chair of the r奴naka and various governance roles with her commitment to completing her Doctor of Education (EdD) from UC.
鈥淓very weekend from nine until four was study, unless I had a meeting to go to, balanced with a weekly exercise routine,鈥 says Dr Brown.
She also attributes her success to having good support from those around her.
鈥淚t is not a journey that鈥檚 easy to do on your own, I couldn鈥檛 have done it without support. I felt well supported by the University and by my partner who took over all day-to-day chores, especially in these last years when I had to say no to everything to get my thesis across the line.
鈥淓ven moral support was important from people around me. Those who told me I could do it, particularly my supervisors.鈥
The reality of doctoral study was a combination of challenges and successes.
鈥淚t can be a grind of tedious edits and rewrites, but you can see your way through if you have passion for the research.
鈥淲hen I was hearing interviewee stories about their own journey in becoming more culturally competent and the personal and professional challenges of doing so, I felt privileged. They would share their passions and their challenges so openly with me, there were times when interviewees cried; what they were sharing was so real for them,鈥 says Dr Brown.
Navigating hurdles such as the ethics process presented its own set of challenges.
鈥淕etting through the ethics process was challenging. Because I was an insider, there was a potential for conflict of interest.
鈥淭his can happen to a lot of people鈥攊t is a process of being patient and responding to questions politely and positively even though you may think the question is misguided. Ultimately you need to be focused on the end game,鈥 says Dr Brown.
A specialised doctorate for education professionals with a rigorous, structured and supportive approach to doctoral study, the UC Faculty of Education鈥檚 EdD is designed so candidates can continue to work in their specific field, and study part-time.
鈥淚t is more structured than a PhD鈥擨 had assignments that helped form chapters of my thesis which worked well for me.
鈥淵ou are also part of a cohort for the first two years where you come together on a quarterly basis. We saw each other around campus, and we had that whakawhanaungatanga going on where you can connect with peers and share your journey, which is a great support mechanism.鈥
Dr Brown鈥檚 research topic Intertwining Leadership and Change to Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi within a University, supported her role at UC, highlighting the practical relevance of her doctoral studies.
鈥淓stablishing the Office of Treaty Partnerships came with signing the Ngai T奴膩huriri partnership agreement in 2019 and is a significant pou of the University.
鈥淥ur work involves building the Office of Treaty Partnerships as we go, so my study and findings have been particularly relevant to my mahi. It鈥檚 helped to inform my role and the direction with which I can assist the Office of Treaty Partnerships.鈥
Dr Brown says a key learning from her academic and professional journey is that leadership is important throughout the whole organisation. 鈥淚t is important to work with leaders at every level within an organisation to move in the right direction.鈥
Having submitted her thesis, Dr Brown has found herself after seven years finally able to say yes to wh膩nau engagements and a well-earned rest in Gore Bay.
Dr Brown will attend a UC graduation celebration next week at which she will also play a ceremonial role as an academic staff member.
Background
There are more named doctorates coming through the 91制片厂 for people who are working in a specific field, and who are looking to do a part-time doctoral degree, including the Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA).
Learn more about it here>
Read more of our graduate success stories听here.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality education.
