Rate My Professor Griffin Leonard

Dr. Griffin Manawaroa Leonard (Te Arawa, Ngāti Rangitāne), a Dunedin native, earned his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago in 2018. His doctoral thesis, titled 'Presidential Statements and US use of Force,' examined key aspects of international relations and security policy. Following his PhD, Leonard served as a researcher at Otago Polytechnic, where his work centered on student development, alumni workplace transitions, and the wellbeing of both students and staff. He also held administrative positions within the University of Otago. Currently, he is a Professional Practice Fellow and Kairuruku Ritenga Utua at the Māori Health Workforce Development Unit (MHWDU) within the Kōhatu Centre for Hauora Māori in the Division of Health Sciences at the University of Otago. In this role, he primarily coordinates the Tū Tauira Hauora programme, supporting academic and professional development for Māori students, while contributing to MHWDU's other initiatives. Leonard maintains an affiliation as a research affiliate with the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Leonard's research spans international relations, public health, and curriculum development, with particular emphasis on learner development, culturally responsive pedagogy, and strengthening the Māori health workforce. His scholarly contributions include co-authorship on several peer-reviewed publications. Notable works are 'Holding a mirror to society? The socio-demographic characteristics of students commencing health professional programmes and all courses at Otakou Whakaihu Waka (the University of Otago), 1994–2023' (New Zealand Medical Journal, 2024, with Andrew Sise et al.); 'COVID-19 Lockdown in New Zealand: Perceived Stress and Hardiness among Māori and non-European University Students' (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022, with A. Jagroop-Dearing et al.); and 'Introduction: The Return of Pacifism to IR' (2020, with Richard Jackson, Aidan Gnoth, Joseph Llewellyn, and Tonga Karena). Additionally, he co-authored 'A Case for the Abolition of the New Zealand Defence Force' with Joseph Llewellyn, exploring nonviolent security alternatives. Through his roles, Leonard advances Māori aspirations in health professions and contributes to peace studies discourse.