Building research capability
An $8 million programme for Building Research Capability in the Social Sciences (BRCSS) has been awarded by the Tertiary Education Commission to a network of senior researchers.
Associate Education Minister Steve Maharey announced this month that funding for the BRCSS programme had gone to the Aotearoa New Zealand Social Sciences Research Network. The network comprises researchers from the universities of Massey, Auckland, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln and Waikato, along with researchers from the Family Centre in Lower Hutt. The network is coordinated by Massey University.
“New Zealand has enormous research talent in the social sciences but hasn’t been able to build up an effective capacity that adds up to more than the sum of its parts. This project will make a huge difference in building that capacity and delivering benefits for the country,” the Minister said.
The initiative brings together 36 existing medium-term strategic research projects to extend them into new areas based on the themes of: new wealth creation and distribution systems; social justice and development; transmission of wealth and knowledge in a context of demographic change; and sustainability of diverse households, communities and settlements.
Network Director, Professor Paul Spoonley, said the project would help new and emerging researchers develop their skills, as well as encourage new research. “This initiative represents a unique opportunity for the New Zealand social science community to contribute to the future wellbeing of all New Zealanders.”
