Principal Investigators

Our people

Associate Professor Pauline Harris

Associate Professor Pauline Harris

Principal Investigator

Mātauranga Māori Research Programme

Biography

Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, is an Associate Professor at Massey University.

She has a PhD in astrophysics from Canterbury University, where she investigated gamma ray bursts as possible sites for high energy neutrino production. Dr Harris has since been the Chairperson of the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions (SMART), where she applied her physics expertise to the collation and the revitalisation of Māori astronomical star lore.

Research interests

As a Principal Investigator on the Marsden funded project “Ngā Takahuringā ō te ao: The effect of climate change on traditional Māori calendars”, Dr Harris has significant experience and expertise in how to build bridges between Mātauranga Māori and currently topical areas of scientific research.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can help us develop technologies to help mitigate these really big issues around environment.

Associate Professor Pauline Harris

In the news

News Article

Connecting with Indigenous whanau at NASA to build a Māori Aerospace sector

April 15, 2024

Pauline Harris and Kirsty Doyle are part of a joint six-month feasibility study looking at Earth observation research with NASA.

Read more about Connecting with Indigenous whanau at NASA to build a Māori Aerospace sector

News Article

Celebrating Matariki values in our research

July 13, 2023

Deputy Director Māori, Dr Pauline Harris, sets out below some of the research of the MacDiarmid Institute that relates to the values of Matariki.

Read more about Celebrating Matariki values in our research

Annual Report

Our research programmes over the years

April 18, 2023

There has been an evolution to move the focus of applications more towards global challenges of climate change and sustainability.

Read more about Our research programmes over the years

Annual Report

Rhodes Trust trip to Oxford

April 14, 2023

Our Deputy Director Māori Associate Professor Pauline Harris travelled to Oxford in October with Juliet Nelson.

Read more about Rhodes Trust trip to Oxford

Annual Report

20 years through a Mātauranga Māori lens

April 14, 2023

Of all the lenses we could apply to the MacDiarmid Institute’s 20 years, one of the most important to examine is our work in the Mātauranga Māori space.

Read more about 20 years through a Mātauranga Māori lens

Annual Report

Science for a sustainable future

May 27, 2022

The 2021 Regional Lecture Series was able to go ahead in-person this year, with the theme of Science for a Sustainable Future.

Read more about Science for a sustainable future

Annual Report

World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village

May 4, 2022

Our Investigators Associate Professor Franck Natali and Dr Pauline Harris gave online oral presentations at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC).

Read more about World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village

Annual Report

Discovery Scholarships programme grows with new sponsorship

May 4, 2022

Our Discovery Scholarship programme for Māori and Pacific peoples in tertiary science received continued funding.

Read more about Discovery Scholarships programme grows with new sponsorship

News Article

Dr Pauline Harris appointed as MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director Māori

March 16, 2022

Dr Pauline Harris has been appointed to the new position of MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director Māori.

Read more about Dr Pauline Harris appointed as MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director Māori

In The Media

Climate change impact on Māori wellbeing and culture 'sobering' yet 'insightful'

October 22, 2021

A new report highlighting the effects climate change will have on Māori in the coming decades is “sobering”, but presents an opportunity to adapt.

Read more about Climate change impact on Māori wellbeing and culture 'sobering' yet 'insightful'

News Article

MOU celebrates ongoing partnership with Whakarewarewa Living Village

August 2, 2021

We celebrated the collaboration and partnership with Whakarewarewa Village by signing a second MOU and a Statement of Intent.

Read more about MOU celebrates ongoing partnership with Whakarewarewa Living Village

News Article

Mānawatia a Matariki

July 2, 2021

Dr Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa

We would like to acknowledge this time of the...

Read more about Mānawatia a Matariki

In The Media

Matariki holiday will 'better connect us with the natural world'

May 12, 2021

Dr Pauline Harris is part of the advisory group and speaks on the challenging yet rewarding task of finding the right date for Matariki

Read more about Matariki holiday will 'better connect us with the natural world'

Annual Report

Summer studentships for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni

March 30, 2021

Summer studentship descriptions for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni.

Read more about Summer studentships for our DiscoveryCamp and Discovery Scholarship Alumni

Annual Report

Environmental monitoring and Maramataka

March 30, 2021

Research is being conducted in collaboration with the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions (SMART).

Read more about Environmental monitoring and Maramataka

Annual Report

Funding successes - Annual Report 2020

March 24, 2021

Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2020. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.

Read more about Funding successes - Annual Report 2020

Annual Report

Dr Pauline Harris - Annual Report 2019

March 8, 2020

Many know Dr Pauline Harris for her work in Māori astronomy, and traditional calendar systems, but may not realise she also has a PhD in physics.

Read more about Dr Pauline Harris - Annual Report 2019

Annual Report

New Principal Investigators - Annual Report 2018

April 8, 2019

An overview of the research interests of each of our eight new Principal Investigators.

Read more about New Principal Investigators - Annual Report 2018

Annual Report

2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018

April 8, 2019

Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.

Read more about 2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018

News Article

New Principal Investigators

August 27, 2018

The MacDiarmid Institute proudly welcomes eight new principal investigators.

Read more about New Principal Investigators

Videos

Materials science in environmental remediation of Papatuanuku

June 21, 2019

MATERIALise 2018 - Dr Pauline Harris discusses how the intersection of mātauranga Māori and materials science could inform environmental remediation.

Read more about Materials science in environmental remediation of Papatuanuku