Events

We are excited to host a crossover meeting between the Aotearoa New Zealand Network and Technical Implementation Working Group (TIWG) in July. In this meeting, the Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository team and their collaborators will present a panel discussion on the role of BC Labels and Notices in their data repository, focusing on context, examples, and the approach of integration. 

If you are interested to join this meeting and are not already a member of the Aotearoa Network or TIWG, please email outreach@localcontexts.org or complete our network interest form.

About

“Building a data repository for taonga species & the role of BC Labels and Notices”

The Aotearoa Genomic Data Repository (AGDR) is a joint initiative between Genomics Aotearoa and NeSI to provide a secure within-nation repository for the storage, management, and sharing of non-human genomic data generated from biological and environmental samples originating in Aotearoa New Zealand. Developed following the principles of Māori Data Sovereignty, and enabling data management through kaitiakitanga, the AGDR allows Iwi, Hapū, and Whānau to effectively exercise their responsibilities as guardians over biological entities they regard as taonga. 

This panel discussion will focus on the role the Local Contexts Biocultural Labels and Notices play in the kaitiakitanga of data within AGDR. Context, examples, and the approach to integration will all be covered in this interactive presentation, to be followed by time for questions.

Presenters

Professor Mik Black is a statistician, bioinformatician, and data scientist whose research focuses on the development of methods for the analysis of genomic data, with a strong emphasis on cancer and other human diseases. A common theme is the use of techniques that allow high-dimensional and often very disparate data sets to be combined in ways that provide new insights into disease development and progression. In addition to his own work, Mik has been heavily involved in establishing national research infrastructure in high performance computing through the NZ eScience Infrastructure, and in genomics and bioinformatics through Genomics Aotearoa, where he is Co-Director and chair of the Bioinformatics Leadership Team.

Associate Professor Libby Liggins is an evolutionary ecologist who primarily uses genomic data to address fundamental questions in population ecology, biodiversity, and biogeography in marine systems. She is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Science, Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland, and a Research Associate of the Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. Libby participates in several initiatives interested in the ethical stewardship and aggregation of data. She is on the Scientific Committee for the International Science Council’s World Data System, and the Steering Committee for the Genomic Observatories Metadatabase (GEOME) and the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEOBON) Genetic Composition Working Group.

Dr. Claire Rye is a Product Manager at New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) based out of the University of Auckland. She is responsible for the National Data Transfer Service and works across the Aotearoa Genomics Data Repository and Rakeiora Pathfinder projects and looking at research data management and data lifecycle more generally across NeSI. Claire holds a PhD in organic chemistry and has spent the last 11 years working in the UK in a variety of research settings. 

Tracey Godfery works as the Vision Mātauranga Manager for Genomics Aotearoa. She supports Genomics Aotearoa in ensuring the organisation serves Māori communities, primarily through Māori led or co-led research that fulfils community aspirations and results in direct benefit-sharing with the respective communities. Tracey has recently submitted her doctoral thesis at the University of Auckland, with her thesis advocating for a shift in New Zealand’s post-border biosecurity management, toward mana whenua (Māori community) led, place-based, biosecurity decision-making and management. 

Taoho Patuawa (Te Roroa, Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi)

Taoho Patuawa is an Environmental Science Advisor for his iwi organisation Te Roroa. Te Roroa is an active iwi organisation with a strong collaborative partnership approach to environmental issues within their rohe, including various aspects of forest health, monitoring of freshwater systems and biodiversity, hazard and infrastructure services management, as well as social support for our communities. From this diverse operations portfolio, they have a number of opportunities to incorporate the use of the Local Context Hub and Labels. Of particular interest is the intention to standardize the use of Local Contexts across contemporary environmental projects to promote long-term, collaborative relationships between kaimahi and research teams.