Our research
The AUT Human Potential Research Institute has an outstanding track record for its world-class research, postgraduate student success, and for securing competitive external research funding and grants. The research institute has a dedicated team of teaching and research staff, all of whom are research experts and well respected in their chosen fields.
Working collaboratively with researchers from New Zealand and international academic and government institutions, the Human Potential Research Institute has been awarded external research funding from the Health Research Council, Sport New Zealand, the World Health Organization, local authorities and commercial partners.
Completed projects
Current projects
The Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme
AUT is evaluating the Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme, a Fire and Emergency NZ initiative aimed at improving the psychological wellbeing of career firefighters and operational managers.
Te Hotonga Hapori - Connecting Communities
Te Hotonga Hapori is the result of a 24-month, collaborative, co-design process involving partner organisations with a shared vision: to enhance the impact of urban redevelopment on community wellbeing.
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes: Te Ngako Oranga
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a 3-year HRC-funded research project that aims to change the way health care is delivered in NZ’s primary care setting to individuals and communities with prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Piloting a food quality-based digital app with AI technology
This 12-month HRC-funded project is focused on pilot testing our newly developed dietary assessment app, HISS – the Human Interference Scoring System.
Enhancing Wellbeing through AI and Time-Use Science
This RSNZ Marsden-funded project is developing the world’s first sensor-based system that integrates behavioural, environmental, and experiential data to understand and improve daily time use for wellbeing.
Physical activity and brain health: Understanding neurophysiological mechanisms
We know that physical activity is related to positive cognitive function, but we don't know why. This work explores the neurophysiological mechanisms that underpin the cognitive benefits of physical activity in young people, by utilising advanced multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology.
Pau Te Hau: High intensity interval training (HIIT) and mental health in adolescents
Partnering with schools and teachers to integrate HIIT into the curriculum represents a potentially scalable and sustainable way to equip adolescents with the understanding that a personal exercise habit for holistic wellbeing need not be based on high duration commitment.
Pau Te Hau: Curriculum-based high intensity interval training for young adolescents
The aim of this study is to determine the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of embedding a teacher-delivered HIIT exercise programme within the school health and physical education curriculum at Year 8.
Scoping an online ‘research ready’ lifestyle program for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is an inequitable health burden in New Zealand. This research activation project will create a ‘research ready’ online lifestyle program which has the capability to assess outcomes using pre- and post-program data, as well as engage and educate participants in lifestyle behaviour change.
Built environment and health
Children and youth
Pacific research
Wellbeing
Workplace health and primary care
Nutrition