AUT research receives $7m boost
Two AUT research projects have secured $7 million in funding through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s 2024 Endeavour Fund.
The Endeavour Fund, New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund, is split into two categories: Research Programmes and Smart Ideas. The funding is allocated to projects that have a high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment, and society.
Director of the NZ Policy Research Institute (NZPRI), Professor Gail Pacheco, received a $6 million grant under the Research Programmes component for a project that examines “boosting productivity growth by creating equal workplace opportunities for all.”
Professor Pacheco will work with a team of academics from New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, and Germany to create an evidence base for policy and practice to improve workforce diversity.
“A lack of workforce diversity can lead to substantial gender and ethnic pay gaps, which have significant financial, health and wellbeing consequences for affected individuals, and their whānau," says Professor Pacheco.
“This needs to change. Through this research we will establish a body of evidence to improve workplace diversity and equity, estimate the productivity benefits of improved diversity, and include a particular focus on Māori and Pacific businesses.”
Professor Andrew Lowe from the School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences secured $1 million under the Smart Ideas programme, an investment mechanism intended to catalyse and rapidly test promising, innovative ideas with high potential to benefit New Zealand.
Professor Lowe’s research aims to develop a new method to accurately measure blood flow in intensive care patients to reduce the risk of amputation or death resulting from low blood flow to the limbs.
“The funding gives us a wonderful opportunity to work on a very promising approach to improve the management of poor blood flow to the legs and arms. This research builds on technology projects previously funded by MBIE, as well as the deep clinical and physiology expertise of our interdisciplinary, multi-organisation team,” says Professor Lowe.