Ko Wai Mātou - Our People

Kelly Tikao fulfils the role of Kairakahau Māori/Senior Māori Researcher for the Donald Beasley Institute. For Kelly, research is a relationship built on integrity and respect. It is not only about what the research team can learn from the participants, but how participants can be empowered by the research process to fully understand what they are a part of, and how their knowledge and experiences can help others.

Kelly started her research career as a registered nurse working in the community for Māori and mainstream health services and in a variety of clinical settings. She holds the upmost regard for the whānau she works alongside to be self-determining with their health needs whilst traversing the health systems.

Amongst her career and whanau demands, Kelly holds space for her creative endeavours. She pursued a part-time career in radio broadcasting for independent and national radio stations and dabbles in documentary making. In 2012, she completed a Master's in Science Communication specialising in natural history filmmaking at the University of Otago and in 2020, after a long enduring juggling act, she finished her PhD at the University of Canterbury in Kāi Tahu customary birthing practices.

Umi is a Junior Research Fellow at the Donald Beasley Institute. Her primary role involves working on the Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Re-Imagining Parenting project. Umi graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Otago in 2019. Her particular interest is supporting young people and families to build healthy relationships with each other. She came to New Zealand from Japan when she was 15 years old. Having lived experience of disability and cultural diversity, she is passionate about envisioning and working towards a society where no one is left behind through research, activism and community work.

Eden Tuisaula is a Researcher at the Donald Beasley Institute working on the Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as other projects. Eden graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science majoring in Psychology in 2020. Eden is passionate about social justice, equality and activism through research.

Lydie is a Researcher at the Donald Beasley Institute. Her primary role involves working on projects focused on the cross-section between disability and the justice system as well as a variety of other projects. Lydie graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in art history) from the University of Otago in 2017. She completed her honours in art history in 2018 and was subsequently admitted to the bar and practised family law from 2019 to 2021. Lydie’s particular interest is disability rights in the family law and criminal justice systems. She is passionate about social justice, inclusion and the visual arts.

Patsie Frawley is an Honarary Associate Professor at Deakin University Geelong, Australia in the School of Health and Social Development. She is Course Director of the Master of Disability and Inclusion and leads the Sexuality and Relationships research group. Patsie’s research focuses on inclusive approaches in sexuality and relationship rights and prevention of violence and abuse research with people with disabilities. She developed and manages the peer led Sexual Lives and Respectful Relationships program that has been running in Australia since 2009. Patsie is a long-term colleague of the DBI team and collaborator on DBI’s research, including as a co-investigator on the Mean As! Project. In 2019, after a six-month academic sabbatical at the DBI, Patsie was made an Honorary Associate Professor by the DBI Trust Board. We are very excited to have Patsie join our team in this capacity.