• Funding new social science research projects / initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Building capacity by contributing to the development of new and emerging researchers through awards and workshops
• Developing the profile of social science through seminars, distinguished visitors and network building
• Establishing researcher collaboration and communication through enhanced linkages amongst social scientists
• Encouraging networking via the Access Grid Nodes
  
  

Four targeted networks already exist and will undertake a programme of Access Grid based seminars and workshops during the year. Membership of the networks and participation in the Access Grid events is open to anyone who has an interest in the topics under discussion. Seminars are advertised on the website and through new and existing email lists.

The new and existing networks are:

• Maori network
• Pasifika Talanoa network
  
• New Settlers network
• Emerging and early career researchers' network
  
  

Access Grid Seminars

BRCSS National Pacific Postgraduate Talanoa Series - the eleventh seminar in this series will be presented via the Access Grid on Monday 6 September, from 3 - 5pm. Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop will chair this panel discussion which arises out of the many discussions about methodology aired in this series. Dr David Gegeo (University of Canterbury) will speak on "Choosing a research methodology: Epistemologies, Pedagogies and Methodologies". Professor Marilyn Waring (AUT University) will speak on "Theory? Methodology? Method? Where am I supposed to put it?" If you would like to attend, please register your intention with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , stating which access grid venue you would like to use.

BRCSS VIrtual Seminar Series -Professor Donna Mertens, BRCSS Distinguished Visitor, 2010, will be speaking via the Access Grid on Wednesday 8 September from 1.30 - 3pm. Her topic is "Bringing a Social Justice Lens to Credible Evidence". Donna M. Mertens, is a professor at Gallaudet University in Washington DC where she teaches research methods and program evaluation. She has published extensively on philosophical, theoretical, and methodological guidance in transformative mixed methods approaches to research and is currently editor of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research. Her publications include Transformative Research and Evaluation (Guilford, 2009), Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology (3rd ed., Sage, 2010), and Program Evaluation (in press, Guilford). If you would like to attend, please register your intention with Melanie, stating which access grid venue you would like to use.

BRCSS Emerging Researchers Network Workshops - The third workshop, Teaching, Research and Service - Balancing Act(ions) will be held on the Access Grid on Friday 10 September from 9 - 11am. 40% Teaching, 40% Research, 20% Service sounds reasonable, but how can we get beyond it feeling like 80/80/80? We'll explore some ways to address administrative tasks and workload requirements, 'GTF', software that helps and software that hurts, where to write, how to write, and multitasking practices and cognitive load realities. This workshop is open to academic staff and those working in research roles. A second workshop series specially targetting the needs of PhD's will be available shortly. If you would like to attend, please register with This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . For information about the workshops in this series click here.

BRCSS Access Grid Seminars are free of charge. For more information about the BRCSS Virtual Seminar Series, the Pacific Talanoa Postgraduate Seminar Series and the New Settler Researchers Seminar Series, or to register to receive email updates, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Upcoming Events

• The first Contemporary Ethnography Across the Disciplines (CEAD) conference and hui will take place at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. This, the first in what will be a quadrennial international conference, will take place on 17 - 19 November 2010. We welcome scholars, professionals, and students from all disciplinary backgrounds to share in the rich diversity that the conference and hui promises. Call for Papers and Registration now open! Visit the conference website for more information www.cead.org.nz
  
  
• Join our Emailing List for upcoming workshops, seminars and events.