Our research
Research in the AUT Centre for Child and Youth Health Research focuses on creating supportive environments for child and youth health. Our research is trans-disciplinary, involving the fields of nursing, public health, sport science, psychology and nutrition.
Completed projects
Current projects
Mahi Tūturu: The landscape of Youth Work in Aotearoa
The project examines youth work practices, challenges, opportunities, and the positive impact youth workers have on young people’s lives.
Unconventional Spaces of Learning
USoL is a multi-phase research project that critically explores ways of engaging tamariki in holistic development and learning opportunities.
Supporting siblings of children with long-term conditions: An international programme of research
This international study explores how healthy siblings of children with long-term conditions access and understand health information.
Asthma Care Research for Children and Young People
Using participatory approaches, we completed evidence synthesis, stakeholder engagement, and community-led priority settings.
Nurses’ role in detecting child abuse
Examines PHC nurses’ experiences building trust and collaboration while managing suspected child abuse in New Zealand.
Pregnant during natural disasters
Uses mixed methods to explore pregnant people’s and health professionals’ emergency experiences to improve mental health support.
Brains in sync: Assessing parent-child synchrony with EEG
Exploring brain activation synchrony in parent-child dyads with EEG.
Neonatal Pain Assessment and Management in Aotearoa, New Zealand
Investigating neonatal acute pain assessment and management practices in New Zealand from whanau and clinician perspectives.
Parents’ and caregivers’ experiences
Examining parents' lived experiences of clinical holding, identifying what supports or undermines trust, emotional safety, and compassionate care.
Youth’s participation in decision making
Understanding children and youth participation in decision making in healthcare organisations.
Combatting HIV online in Bali
Exploring potential in online HIV prevention in Bali, where HIV is a major public health problem.
Vanuatu: oral health
Investigating how Vanuatu seasonal workers deliver oral health promotion to children, focusing on tooth brushing.
Project Energize
Supporting schools and communities to increase children's nutrition and wellbeing.
Fiji youth project
Working with Pacific entrepreneurs to promote eating more vegetables and fruit.
Raising a child with Cerebral Palsy
Exploring the experiences of primary caregivers raising a school aged child with Cerebral Palsy.
Young people with bronchiectasis
Understanding how bronchiectasis affects young people and how to improve health outcomes.
Oral mucositis treatment and management
Assessing the prevention and management of oral mucositis in children receiving chemotherapy in Australasia.
Health literacy amongst children with a long-term condition
Investigating children’s (6-10 years) understanding of their long-term condition and its daily management.
Experiences of healthy siblings
Exploring the experiences and perceptions of healthy siblings of children with a long-term condition.
Factors of self-harm and suicidality in adolescents
Reviewing literature on adolescent self-harm and suicidality, as well as their risk and protective factors.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Exploring how childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus impacts young people and their families.
Aotearoa New Zealand childhood obesity policy
Understanding how children’s voices have informed childhood obesity policy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Stress in Pregnancy: does timing matter?
How does stress during pregnancy influence a baby’s developing capacity to regulate emotions?
Little teeth, Big stories
This pilot study explores whether naturally shed baby teeth can reveal traces of stress experienced before birth.
Priorities of Preterm Parents
Families are the experts in what they need. This survey asks parents and whānau of preterm pēpi about their priorities, experiences and the kinds of support that would make the biggest difference.
Our early career academics & postgraduate researchers
Our ECA and postgraduate researchers come from various disciplines. Explore their research here:
- Karen Adams (PhD candidate)
Physiotherapy interventions for non-ambulatory children combined with intellectual disability in Aotearoa (PhD) – ongoing
Find out more - Gema Carlson (PhD candidate)
The teacher-child relationship and how subjectivities are formed through that relationship
Find out more - Dr. Nicola Power (PhD)
A discursive dance – A Foucauldian discourse analysis of caring touch in health practice
Find out more - Dr. Paul Ripley (DHSc)
Using participatory video to explore the perceptions and understandings of health and wellbeing among refugee background youth in Aotearoa New Zealand
Find out more