PhD Spotlight w/ Natalia Albert Llorente

Wellington School of Business and Government

Natalia Albert

1) What is your research, and how did you arrive at the topic?

My research explores the relationship between policy and social cohesion in New Zealand.?My interest in social cohesion began after two key events in my life:?

1. Finishing my master's in political science. I focused on the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion policies in New Zealand government (also at Te Herenga Waka), and I realized that, well, they aren't that effective anymore and we needed to evolve the conversation in order to govern a hyper-diverse society. This realization led me to number two.
2. I led the social cohesion policy out of Ministry of Social Development that emerged from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the March 15th attacks. Over 18 months, that professional experience exposed me to a wide range of competing ideas, values, and beliefs, which shattered many of my personal and professional assumptions. I encountered the complexities of creating a policy that could enhance social cohesion in New Zealand.?

The role at MSD inspired my PhD topic, and now, eight months into it, I feel like it was the absolute right topic for me.?

2) What has the process been like? How far through it are you? What’s next?

I've loved the process so far. Although I’m just eight months in, I’ve already learned and achieved so much. I have two great supervisors Dr Wonhyuk Cho and Professor Michael Macaulay, I have also built a great relationship with Dr Karl Lofgren, the head of my school, as well as with the professional staff like Hannah Donmez and Paige Macintosh and my fellow PhD colleagues that come in most days.?

I treat my PhD like a job, showing up every day and steadily chipping away at it. So far:?

• I’ve completed a systematic and thematic literature review, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. Working with our librarian, Philip Worthington , has been great! He has helped me identify the most critical and relevant articles in my field, helping me to think about the problem differently.
• I’ve also utilized tools like Miro, NVivo, EndNote, and various AI research options to organize, conceptualize, and share my research process in creative and accessible ways.
• I decided to start writing as soon as possible. Which has resulted in my monthly 'write-up' that I send my supervisors.? This has helped me get solid feedback early on.
• I have written two chapters for two books (one on last year's election and one on New Zealand international affairs) that will be published next year. ?
• I have started to learn how to write grant applications, which I have found surprisingly exciting.
• I have also supported the academic staff as a research assistant and tutor for public policy papers.

?While applying for these grants, I've been lucky to meet and engage with senior academics like Markus Luczak-Roesch, Arthur Grimes?and Anna Matheson. A positive outcome of meeting these wonderful people was learning about and deciding to apply to Te Pūnaha Matatini as an early career researcher. And I am thrilled to share that I've been accepted as part of the Te Pūnaha Matatini whānau. I decided to pursue a PhD full-time for three reasons:

1. to learn how to conduct innovative and high-quality research, develop my critical thinking and writing skills

2. to develop a deep understanding of policy and social cohesion—areas I am obsessed with and...

3. to take a beat from the career rat race to reflect on what I want to do with the rest of my productive life, which is around 25 more years if I'm lucky!

Happy to report, that so far, it's been the best decision of my life.?

3) What’s your favourite thing about Wellington?

One of my favourite things about Wellington is that I don’t need a car to get around, the waterfront and huge amount of bush walks available. I left Mexico City (where I am from) for two reasons: To spend less time in a car, and to have more personal safety. After thirteen years in Wellington, I’m happy to report that I’ve achieved both. Leaving one’s country is never an easy decision, and these reasons meant a lot to me. Wellington has delivered on its promise and then some.

For example, I have been biking for 13 years most days and when it's too windy for my bike, I have a bus stop right outside my house and university. During the weekends, I enjoy talking hikes with my husband and three chihuahuas. My new favourite spot is the Tākina Convention Centre.

As a political scientist and public servant, I appreciate being in the policy and political heart of the country. Wellington offers a unique blend of nature, convenience, and intellectual vibrancy, making it the perfect place for me.