Sonja Lee Macfarlane FRSNZ (née Bateman) is a New Zealand education academic and an associate professor at the University of Canterbury. Macfarlane specialises in the development of cultural awareness in the New Zealand education system.

Sonja Macfarlane
Macfarlane in 2020
Born
Sonja Lee Bateman
PartnerAngus Hikairo Macfarlane
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Canterbury
ThesisIn Pursuit of Culturally Responsive Evidence Based Special Education Pathways in Aotearoa New Zealand: Whaia ki te ara tika (2012)
Doctoral advisorDean Sutherland
Academic work
InstitutionsUniversity of Canterbury

Academic career

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After a PhD titled In Pursuit of Culturally Responsive Evidence Based Special Education Pathways in Aotearoa New Zealand: Whaia ki te ara tika at the University of Canterbury completed in 2012,[1] Macfarlane moved to Te Kura o te Mātauranga Institute of Education at Massey University, and then to the University of Canterbury, rising to associate professor.[2][3]

Awards

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In 2021 Macfarlane was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.[4] Her nomination said "Sonja has played a key role in the advancement of alternative ways for educators and psychologists to improve cultural awareness and responsivity, leading to the implementation of practices that accrue benefits for Māori learners (education) and clients (psychology). Her culturally-grounded publications and applied practice models in these disciplines have established her as an authority on the ways professionals can engage authentically within their professional spaces." Also in 2021, Macfarlane was awarded the Dame Marie Clay Award by the New Zealand Psychological Society.[5]

Personal life

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Macfarlane is affiliated with Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Waewae iwi.[citation needed] Her husband Angus Hikairo Macfarlane is professor of Māori research at the University of Canterbury.[6]

Selected works

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References

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  1. ^ Macfarlane, Sonja (2012). In Pursuit of Culturally Responsive Evidence Based Special Education Pathways in Aotearoa New Zealand: Whaia ki te ara tika (Doctoral thesis). UC Research Repository, University of Canterbury. doi:10.26021/10046. hdl:10092/7177.
  2. ^ "Sonja Macfarlane". The University of Canterbury. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  3. ^ "UC Research Profile - University of Canterbury - New Zealand". The University of Canterbury. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Researchers and scholars at the top of their fields elected as Fellows". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Current Award Recipients :: NZ Psychological Society". www.psychology.org.nz. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Te Maori: Medal for Professor Angus Hikairo Macfarlane". NZ Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
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