Latest news with #VivienneAnderson
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Uni launches bid to fund residency
Determined to get the prestigious Children's Writer in Residence fellowship back in place for 2027, the University of Otago has launched a major fundraising campaign. The residency is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and supports gifted writers to work fulltime on producing quality children's literature. The university aims to build an endowment fund to secure its future in perpetuity. Earlier this year, the university announced for the first time in 32 years, it was unable to offer the residency next year, following a major external funding cut. It has long been funded via grants from Creative New Zealand, but the college's latest application to the government agency was turned down. This year's resident, Samantha Montgomerie, said it was a "devastating" blow for children's writers. She said it provided a much-needed space to create a developed piece of writing, away from the hectic demands and distractions of her job as a teacher. It also acknowledged the importance of quality children's literature in creating a literary and literate nation. "It acknowledges that what New Zealand children's authors create matters — that our stories matter, that our tamariki seeing themselves in books matters. "All of this has a flow-on effect for literacy and the richness of our literary landscape. "Getting children reading, and fostering our creatives at the heart of what gets them reading, is what we value." University of Otago College of Education dean Prof Vivienne Anderson said the residency included a stipend in line with a six-month lecturing salary, along with an office at the College of Education and rent-free accommodation provided in the historic Robert Lord Cottage, in Titan St. The residency had supported 37 writers and illustrators to date, starting with Ruth Corrin in 1992. Other award-winning residents include Jack Lasenby (1995), Pauline Cartwright and David Hill (2003), Kyle Mewburn (2011), Leonie Agnew (2013), Robyn Belton (2015) and Heather McQuillan (2021). Prof Anderson said she was grateful for the funding previously received from Creative New Zealand, but it had been "disheartening" to lose the vital support for children's literature in New Zealand. The residency "has resulted in quality literature for children and promoted children's literature locally and nationally". "If you look at any children's section in a library or bookshop, or at the books children are reading in school, you will see previous residents' names feature prominently. "Our writers need to be supported to be able to produce quality children's literature. "We are committed to seeking alternative funding to be able to resume this important Children's Writer in Residence, and would be very grateful if you could help us get this unique and treasured residency back in place for 2027 and beyond."
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Uni joins SAR to protect scholars
During times of war, academics often become targets and suffer grave threats to their lives and liberty. Schools and universities are often targeted, looted, burned or used for military purposes, and those who work there are harassed and censored because of the thoughts they share and the questions they ask. Eventually, many are forced to leave their country for their own safety. So the University of Otago has joined Scholars at Risk (SAR). SAR is an international network of higher education institutions and individuals, dedicated to protecting threatened scholars, preventing attacks on higher education, and promoting academic freedom and related values worldwide. University of Otago vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said the network's values aligned with Otago's — protecting scholars and promoting academic freedom. "In the world we live in today, we are all aware of significant conflicts and displacement of people. "This is a practical step the university can take to support those most impacted, to continue their academic study and research. "SAR provides support, among other things, for universities to provide a home for academics who are displaced or whose work is disrupted by conflict. "We join more than 300 host institutions across the world, committed to protecting and promoting academic freedom." Dunedin and the wider Otago community had a long history in welcoming individuals and families who had been forcibly displaced from their homes. "We are proud to do our part in supporting that." Alongside partnering with SAR, the university is also in the process of establishing scholarships for two undergraduate students and two doctoral candidates from conflict zones. College of Education dean Prof Vivienne Anderson has conducted substantial research on the experiences of students with refugee backgrounds, and said educated citizens played a critical role in the work of peace-building and the re-establishment of a stable civil society after conflict. "Supporting displaced scholars' ongoing access to education and academic engagement is both an ethical response to urgent human need and an investment in more peaceful global futures. "It is strategic and timely to actively support displaced scholars at a time when forced displacement is at the highest level since World War 2." Unesco refugee integration through education, languages and arts chairwoman and University of Glasgow languages and intercultural studies Prof Alison Phipps said news of the University of Otago's support for SAR was "immensely welcome". "I have witnessed the difference it makes to those who find protection for themselves, their families and their scholarship. "My respect, gratitude and solidarity to the university in taking this step and making such profound change possible. "Your gesture strengthens the work we are all doing to build sustainable peace."
