Rate My Professor Koren Allpress

Koren Allpress serves as the Internal Communications Adviser in the Internal Communications and Channels team at the University of Otago, having joined the institution in 2022. A Dunedin native, Allpress possesses a multifaceted academic background that spans food science, journalism, and fine arts. She completed a Bachelor of Consumer Applied Science (BCApSc) in Food Science at the University of Otago in 2011. In 2014, she earned a Diploma in Journalism from Aoraki Polytechnic, now known as Ara. More recently, she finished her Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours (BVA Hons) in painting from the Dunedin School of Art. Before taking up her current role, Allpress gained practical experience as a reporter for the Timaru Herald and The Westport News.

In her position at the University of Otago, Allpress contributes to internal communications by crafting engaging stories about the university community, with a particular emphasis on postgraduate students. She has authored numerous Kōrero features published in the University of Otago Newsroom. Notable articles include "Years spent memorising mandala patterns" (2022), featuring an interview with Geshe Losang Dawa; "When a language disappears, the whole world loses" (2023); "Understanding the brain mechanisms underlying anxiety" (2023); "Wetlands crucial for wellbeing of environment" (2023); "He's not a hypocrite" (2026); "For the love of supervising" (2026); "Wikipedia, lemon pigs and the hobby that grew" (2025); "A roller coaster, in the best way" (2025); and "Taking their research to the people" (2026). These publications cover diverse topics such as research breakthroughs, student experiences, cultural preservation, and environmental science. Additionally, her work appears in internal newsletters like Te Pānui Taura, including pieces on sharing untold stories and learning with ADHD. Allpress's combined expertise in journalism and visual arts supports her effective storytelling within the academic setting.