New Master's scholarship announced
Julia wanted to maintain her Kiwi connection and support research into New Zealand’s history, cultures and society being undertaken at the University. She has established the Buchanan Scholarship in New Zealand History and Society, in her maiden name, which will be awarded to a full-time Master's thesis student undertaking research into New Zealand topics, in association with the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies.
Applications will open in November 2019 and the first scholarship, worth approximately $10,000 per year, will be awarded for 2020.
Part of the University’s Great Futures scholarship programme, Julia’s generous gift supports talented students to pursue their research interests and contribute to a greater collective understanding of New Zealand society and history.
Julia says her lifelong passion for history was sparked by spending part of her childhood in London where her father Hamish Buchanan was a bank manager. She further developed this interest while studying for a BA and LLB at Victoria University of Wellington in the 1970s.
Reading Anne Salmond's book Tears of Rangi partly inspired Julia to offer this scholarship. She is conscious of 2019 being a significant year—the 250th anniversary of the encounters between Captain Cook's expedition and the land and waters of New Zealand and the Māori people.
Julia says, “I am impressed by the research into New Zealand history and society which has flowered in the last 40 years. I think New Zealand is at a very interesting and hopeful point in developing its national identity, drawing upon Māori and non- Māori experiences and knowledge. I hope to facilitate this research and process by donating an award.”
Julia has lived in the UK since gaining an LLM in International Law from Caius College Cambridge. She has worked as a solicitor and advocated for access to law for indigenous and marginalised communities in the developing world. Having retrained, Julia now works as a psychotherapist and Jungian analyst.
She visits New Zealand every year and says that her New Zealand roots are precious to her. In future Julia hopes to meet with the recipients of her award and that the scholarship will enrich her connections with New Zealand.
“As an expatriate New Zealander, I never forget the great start in life and the outstanding education from Victoria University of Wellington that I received. That’s why I am funding a MA scholarship in New Zealand History and Society. I hope that going forward from 2019, the scholars will add to the enrichment of New Zealand identity.”
Associate Professor Kate Hunter, Director of the Stout Research Centre, says the Master’s degree is sought after by students as a significant degree which is shorter than a PhD. The well-regarded degree can be a bridge to further study or to senior policy or historical work in a wide range of fields across the public service and New Zealand’s largest corporations.
Associate Professor Hunter says “We were thrilled that Julia approached us at the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies to help establish this scholarship. Our mission is ‘He Whenua Haumako’ – enriching national culture, tending the fertile fields. Imagining our possible futures needs to draw on understanding our complex pasts, and this is the work in which the Stout Research Centre has been engaged for more than 30 years. We are honoured to be partnering with Julia to create opportunities for postgraduates to continue this crucial work.”