2024 Annual Symposium - Annual Report 2024

8 June, 2025

On 18th November 165 students, early career researchers and Investigators from around Aotearoa New Zealand gathered in Pōneke Wellington for the MacDiarmid Institute's annual symposium. This year Co-Directors Professors Nicola Gaston and Justin Hodgkiss took the opportunity to frame where the Institute is in its current contract, and outline thoughts for the second four-year period.

Deputy Director Māori Associate Professor Pauline Harris chaired a mātauranga Māori panel on the topic of collaborating with communities, while Deputy Director Commercialisation and Industry Engagement Associate Professor Natalie Plank chaired a commercialisation discussion. The panel gave the Institute the chance to hear from and ask questions of Principal Investigators Dr Laura Domigan and Professor Eric Le Ru, and Associate Investigator Dr Ben Mallett, about their journeys into the start-up world. Deputy Director Outreach and Education Associate Professor Anna Garden spoke about the importance of building relationships.

Associate Professor Anna Garden speaking at the annual symposium

The programme also featured updates and highlights from the four research programmes, ending with a very well-attended poster session at which approximately 70 students presented their work. The Deputy Directors also took the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Co-Directors and thank them for all of their contributions to the MacDiarmid Institute throughout their time in the roles.

Investigators met the following day to discuss MacDiarmid Institute research and hear from external speakers. Early career researchers had the opportunity to attend a number of Career and Relevant-to-Industry Skills Programme (CRISP) workshops.

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