POU HERENGA WAKA/AUT RESEARCH NETWORK

Shaping a future through interdisciplinary, ethical and innovative research

We connect researchers, industry, iwi, communities and global partners to explore how emerging technologies can improve lives, support sustainable futures, and strengthen Aotearoa’s wellbeing.

Our vision

We want to lead research innovation by integrating advanced technologies, interdisciplinary research, and community-centric solutions, fostering sustainable development, and improving quality of life across diverse domains.

Objectives

  • Achieve tangible impact
    Ensure AUT TTRN research contributes to meaningful academic, societal, environmental, and economic outcomes, both locally and globally.
  • Advance interdisciplinary research excellence
    Leverage expertise across AUT’s research entities to drive impactful, transdisciplinary research aligned with the university’s strategic priorities.
  • Drive sustainable and ethical innovation
    Promote technology solutions that align with sustainability, ethical responsibility, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • Foster strategic collaboration and knowledge transfer
    Strengthen partnerships with academia, industry, AUT Ventures, government, iwi, and community stakeholders to enhance the relevance, visibility, and uptake of research outcomes.
  • Cultivate talent and build research capacity
    Provide mentorship, funding for grant writing, research seeding and skill development for researchers, students, and professionals.
  • Pursue and secure major research funding
    Pursue external research grants and funding to sustain long-term network activities and maximise impact.

Our projects

Tile for Electrification project

Electrification of heavy transport in New Zealand

This $12.5 million MBIE-funded project involves the development of a cryogenic cooling system for the stator and rotor of a fully superconductive 3 MW electric aeroplane motor.

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Energy and technology

System-level modelling to improve the performance of offshore sustainable power

Funded by the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, this project aims to carry out real-time and hardware-in-the-loop modelling to analyse energy forecasting, fault protection, energy storage, and demand-side management of an offshore hydrogen DCMG.

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Expert Eyes, Machine Hands project

Expert Eyes, Machine Hands: creativity, aesthetics, and accountability in GenAI

Expert Eyes, Machine Hands investigates how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is reshaping creative practice, aesthetic judgment, and professional expertise within the visual communication and advertising fields.

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