Advancing Transport Safety and Efficiency Through Postgraduate Research
New Zealand’s higher education sector continues to play a pivotal role in addressing critical national challenges, including workplace safety in the transport industry and the optimisation of public transport systems. The announcement of the 2026 Transport Research Masters winners highlights how targeted scholarships are fostering innovative research at leading universities while preparing the next generation of experts.
Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara recently revealed the recipients of the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) Transport Research Masters scholarships. These awards support students pursuing advanced studies that directly contribute to safer and more efficient transport networks across Aotearoa.
Background on the HASANZ Transport Research Scholarship
The HASANZ scholarship programme, established in 2018, aims to build capability in health and safety research with a specific focus on the transport sector. It provides financial support to master’s students whose work examines how transport systems intersect with occupational health outcomes and public mobility needs.
Administered in partnership with Universities New Zealand, the scholarship encourages research that informs policy and practice at both institutional and governmental levels. Recipients typically undertake studies at New Zealand universities, ensuring that findings remain grounded in local contexts and contribute to domestic knowledge bases.
Applications for the 2027 cycle are scheduled to open in July, continuing the programme’s commitment to developing expertise in an area vital to New Zealand’s economy and workforce wellbeing.
Julie Crahay: Enhancing Worker Engagement in Transport Safety
Julie Crahay, a graduate of Massey University with a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, has been awarded a scholarship to pursue a Master of Health Science at the same institution. Her research centres on the transport industry, where she investigates the mechanisms through which worker engagement influences safety culture, communication, and regulatory compliance.
Drawing from her volunteer experience with emergency services, Crahay has observed how active participation by employees can fundamentally reshape organisational approaches to risk reduction. Her project will combine and analyse data to identify engagement strategies that lead to measurable improvements in wellbeing and operational efficiency.
This work aligns closely with broader efforts at Massey University to strengthen health sciences research that addresses real-world industry challenges in New Zealand.
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Maisie Foreman: Boosting Bus Patronage for Sustainable Urban Mobility
Maisie Foreman, who completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Canterbury in 2025, will use her scholarship to undertake a Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal. Her focus is on increasing the number of people using bus services to enhance cost-effectiveness and support government objectives around value for money in the transport sector.
Foreman plans to employ spatial and temporal analysis techniques to examine how factors such as service frequency and amenity quality around bus stops affect ridership. As a regular bus user herself, she brings personal insight to a topic she describes as deeply important for all New Zealanders.
Her research at the University of Canterbury contributes to ongoing university strengths in urban planning and resilience, areas that are increasingly central to national discussions on sustainable infrastructure investment.
Role of New Zealand Universities in Transport Research
Massey University and the University of Canterbury are at the forefront of postgraduate transport-related studies in New Zealand. These institutions provide the academic infrastructure, supervisory expertise, and interdisciplinary environments necessary for high-impact research.
Programmes such as Massey’s Master of Health Science and Canterbury’s Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal equip students with both theoretical frameworks and practical analytical skills. This preparation is essential for graduates seeking careers in transport planning, policy development, and safety management.
By hosting these scholarship recipients, the universities strengthen their contributions to national research priorities while enhancing their international reputation in applied transport studies.
Broader Implications for Higher Education and Workforce Development
The 2026 winners exemplify how scholarships bridge academic training with industry needs. In New Zealand’s higher education landscape, such targeted funding helps address skills shortages in specialised fields like transport safety and urban mobility planning.
Recipients gain not only financial support but also opportunities to collaborate with government agencies and industry partners. This experiential element enriches the student experience and improves employability outcomes for master’s graduates.
Universities benefit through increased research output, stronger industry linkages, and the ability to attract high-calibre students who might otherwise pursue opportunities overseas.
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Future Outlook for Transport Research in New Zealand
As New Zealand invests significantly in transport infrastructure, the demand for evidence-based research will continue to grow. Scholarships like the HASANZ Transport Research Masters award ensure that universities remain central to generating the insights needed to guide these investments.
Future cohorts are expected to explore emerging themes such as the integration of new technologies in safety management and the adaptation of public transport to changing demographic and environmental conditions.
Continued collaboration between Universities New Zealand, HASANZ, and institutions like Massey and Canterbury will be key to sustaining this momentum and delivering tangible benefits for New Zealand society.