The inaugural Community Researcher Awards for New and Emerging Researchers took place in November 2009, with the intention that the awards would become an annual event. Here’s how they impacted on one individual and her research.
It was October 2009 when Jane Bruning submitted her application for a New Zealand Community Researcher Award to us. Why did she apply? Jane had just finished a piece of research on HIV Policies and their impact on Women in New Zealand, for a book by Cornell University on HIV Policies. She wanted her findings to be shared further. So did the women who had contributed to her research and were living with HIV. “We all felt it was significant … but I was unclear as to what to do next,” said Jane.
“I didn’t just want to have my thesis sit on a library shelf and collect dust,” Jane reflects. “Preparing and giving the presentation gave me greater clarity as to the next step.”
So how did Community Research make a difference? Through feedback from the sector and other researchers at the Community Research seminar, Jane gained ideas and formed a plan to ensure the findings of her research would reach a wider audience. She acted on the plan.
Since the Community Research seminar she has presented her findings at the 2010 Sexual Health Conference and given a 2010 HIV update to medical teams at Auckland Hospital and the Sydney Conference on HIV and Stigma.
“Navigating through to getting your research thesis published is a daunting process and people don’t know where to start. Hearing that other people also found writing up their research findings to be a very lonely and isolating experience, and how they dealt with this, has enabled me to support a number of other students who are going through this process. ”
Jane Bruning is Coordinator for Positive Women