From left: Dr Natalie Netzler and Chris Puli’uvea
This year’s Cranwell medal is awarded to Dr Natalie Netzler (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Hāuā) and Chris Puli’uvea, early career researchers who stepped up when they saw a need for clear, culturally appropriate communication to support Māori and Pacific communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. From mid-2021, the virologist and immunologist teamed up to raise awareness and health literacy about COVID-19 vaccination within their own Māori and Pacific communities, engaging with Pacific language media, delivering hui/fono and attending vaccination drive events.
The duo’s educational videos were presented in multiple languages, including te Reo Māori, Tongan and Samoan for the public and frontline healthcare workers to support informed decision-making on vaccination. It was particularly impressive that Natalie and Chris did this alongside their regular duties as early career scientists, showing impressive initiative and dedication to this kaupapa.
By making themselves available to speak directly with their communities and answer questions through a kōrero/talanoa approach they have formed lasting and meaningful connections and will be well placed to continue this important work as their careers progress. This communication effort was particularly impressive for the clarity of its goals and the ways in which the activities were shaped to deliver them, alongside its focus upon communities that are often not directly served by many science communication efforts.