Meet the research team behind E Tū Tāngata
Our research partners
John Templeton Foundation
The John Templeton Foundation funds research on questions of human purpose and flourishing. Its support makes our multi-year study of E Tū Tāngata in schools possible.
templeton.org ↗
University of Canterbury
Researchers at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury lead the design, ethics, data collection and analysis of our studies, and publish the findings.
canterbury.ac.nz ↗E Tū Tāngata project leads
Dr Myron Friesen
Research and Programme Evaluation Lead (he/him)
Tēnā koutou, my name is Myron and I am currently a senior lecturer above the bar at the University of Canterbury in the School of Educational Studies and Leadership, where I teach into the Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, and Child and Family Psychology graduate programme.
My research interests span adolescent development, social-cognitive development, parenting, and school influences on social-emotional development.
As a member of the University of Canterbury’s Community Engagement Hub, since 2015 I have worked with a variety of local and national non-profit/non-government organisations to help them move towards evidence-informed practice and build an evidence-base through a collaborative approach to evaluation research.
Dr Victoria Leggett
Research Advisor (she/her)
Kia ora! I’m Victoria, and I’m a part of E Tū Tāngata’s research team.
I have a background in educational psychology and completed my PhD at University of Canterbury in 2024 where I investigated young people’s experiences of happiness and social media use.
I am passionate about understanding key determinants of wellbeing and positive development for children, youth, and communities and am excited about the work we’re doing here at E Tū Tāngata to help contribute to those conversations.
Current graduate students
Tayler Leary
Master of Child and Family Psychology Student (she/her)
Kia ora e hoa mā! I’m Tayler, and I am a student at the University of Canterbury completing my Master’s of Science thesis in Child and Family Psychology. My research with E Tū Tāngata is exploring the Leader Self-Concept and Moral Expansiveness of primary school student leaders here in Ōtautahi.
We are interested in how E Tū Tāngata impacts these constructs and how students are understanding and applying E Tū Tāngata to their leadership positions.
I am having so much fun facilitating in-depth discussion and debate with our student leaders and am very interested to see all the unique ways these leaders engage with E Tū Tāngata and the three strands.
Caroline Briggs
Master of Child and Family Psychology Student (she/her)
Tēnā koutou! Hi, I’m Caroline. I’m currently working with the E Tū Tāngata team, exploring how digital citizenship education can help young people navigate online spaces positively.
In addition to this research, I am a teacher in Ōtautahi Christchurch and am also completing my Masters in Child and Family Psychology at UC. I am enjoying exploring actionable ways to empower young people to bring positive, constructive skills and behaviours into their digital interactions.
I’m particularly excited to explore how E Tū Tāngata’s values-based initiatives can extend into online spaces to foster positive wellbeing, resilience, and connection for our tamariki.
Liam Alexander
Master of Child and Family Psychology Student (he/him)
Kia ora! I’m Liam, and I’m a student at the University of Canterbury.
I am currently completing my Masters of Science thesis in Child and Family Psychology and my diploma in Child & Family Psychology with the goal of becoming a registered child psychologist.
My research with E Tū Tāngata is exploring students’ perceptions of school climate after the implementation of E Tū Tāngata in secondary schools. I am interested in seeing how different groups respond to E Tū Tāngata, especially with qualitative data.