Olivia Webb

I feel incredibly fortunate to have, at long last, celebrated my graduation after multiple ceremony cancellations (...cos COVID). I officially finished my Ph.D. well over a year ago, was conferred in August, but on Wednesday I was able to wear the Tudor bonnet and be seated alongside the brilliant researchers from the AUT School of Art + Design 💥

This photo is taken with my remarkable supervisor, Chris Braddock. I’ve been blessed to have worked so closely with Chris. The time, care, and focus he gave to me and my research project was phenomenal - it’s thanks to his compassionate and knowledgeable input that my project was grounded and sensitively shifted toward the needs of others. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to my secondary supervisor, Dugal McKinnon, for guiding me through the listenscape, and my super-support team: Noel Meek, mum, dad, Maria, Heather, and my dear friends. And a special thanks to everyone around the world who participated in my artworks! I feel incredibly privileged to have had this time to devote to making, thinking, reflecting, listening, and feeling. I loved every moment of my Ph.D. journey which is due in part to the wonderful care, support, and rigorous discussion from the Visual Arts Staff at AUT and St Paul St Gallery – thank you all too! 🌱

With the support of my many communities (and especially Noel who kept me well fed and healthy), I managed to complete my degree in 3.5 years with no amendments needed and recieved an Outstanding Doctoral Award. My thesis is entitled ‘Polyphonies of Belonging: Listening-singing Aotearoa’ and in a nutshell explores diverse coexistence / how we can learn to live together, through listening and music making. My exegesis can be read / viewed here (it’s filled with interesting pictures) https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/handle/10292/13453