Joanna Kidman | |
---|---|
Nationality | New Zealand |
Alma mater | Australian National University |
Scientific career | |
Institutions | Victoria University of Wellington |
Thesis | |
Website | inabrownstudy |
Joanna Kidman FRSNZ is a Māori sociology academic of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Raukawa descent and as of 2019 is a full professor at Victoria University of Wellington.[1] In 2024 she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
After a 2001 PhD titled Travelling in the present historic: a case study of socialisation in an academic community in New Zealand at the Australian National University,[2] Kidman moved to Victoria University of Wellington, rising to full professor.[1][3][4][5][6]
In early June 2022, Kidman and fellow sociologist Professor Paul Spoonley were designated as the directors of the new Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The research centre was established in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry's report into the Christchurch mosque shootings to fund research and scholarships into countering terrorism and extremism.[7][8]
In early March 2024, Kidman criticised the National-led coalition government's pilot boot camp and ACT leader David Seymour's proposal to review the free school lunches programme. In a X social media post, Kidman also accused the Government of hating "poor and brown" children and described the Government as a "death cult." Kidman's remarks were criticised by Seymour, who accused her of making personal attacks and name-calling. In response, Victoria University issued a statement that "while it supports the rights of academics to have an independent voice, Kidman's social media post does not support an inclusive conversation" and that they were discussing the matter with her.[9][10] In addition, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's National Security Group executive director Bridget White reiterated its concerns to Victoria University that Kidman's comments could undermine the reputation for the Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, which receives government funding.[11]
In 2024 Kidman was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.[12]