Rate My Professor Ulani Kan

Ulani Kan is the Student Support Advocate at the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA), an external organization affiliated with the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. She provides essential support services to students, reachable by direct dial at 0800 12 10 23 or via email at help@ousa.org.nz. Her role involves assisting students navigating challenges in their academic and personal lives, contributing to the overall student welfare ecosystem at the university.

In her academic research endeavors, Ulani Kan has focused on bullying victimization and effective support mechanisms for vulnerable student populations, with affiliations to the Faculty of Education at Victoria University of Wellington. She co-authored 'Support for students who have experienced bullying because of their race or ethnicity' (2022, Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, Volume 30, Issue 1). This pilot study involved 13 tertiary students from ethnic minorities in New Zealand who reported racial or ethnic bullying, primarily at secondary school. Findings revealed that approximately half sought help from friends or parents rather than institutions, with dismissive responses exacerbating hopelessness and deterring future help-seeking. The research advocates for culturally sensitive, empathetic institutional policies to better support these students in tertiary settings. Additionally, Kan contributed to 'Identifying effective support for sexual minority university students who have experienced bullying' (2022, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services), exploring victimization rates and support needs higher among sexual minorities compared to cis-heterosexual peers. Another key publication is 'Identifying effective support for students with disabilities who have experienced bullying' (2023, Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association), drawing from interviews with 23 tertiary students to identify ideal support forms post-bullying. These works highlight her emphasis on enhancing university responses to diverse victimization experiences, informing student services practices across New Zealand institutions.