Andrew Dawson

I am the Director of the Tertiary Foundation Certificate | He Ara Takatū, leading the strategic and operational management of the programme. From 2022-2023, I was course director for English courses in the Tertiary Foundation Certificate. I continue to be a tutor for these courses. I believe the central skill honed in literary study, as Edward Said once said, is the practice of adopting “alternative identities” through reading and analysis, which develops both the intellectual and empathetic capabilities of students; these qualities are essential for a flourishing society. I aim to support my students’ academic achievement with powerful knowledge and high-quality pastoral support, with a specific focus on helping students to structure, develop and better integrate ideas into academic writing. From 2017-2019, I was the Auckland Regional Manager of the Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme (MATES), enabled by the Great Potentials Foundation. Each year, MATES supported over 300 Year 8 and Year 13 students from diverse backgrounds at low decile schools to successfully transition into their next stage in life. I created resources and delivered workshops for students on close reading, essay writing, scholarships, financial literacy, and career planning. I also trained and managed more than 200 university students to help them be resilient, effective and supportive mentors for MATES mentees. In my time at MATES, over 85% of our Year 13 mentees achieved NCEA Level 3 and 80% achieved University Entrance – well above the national average – successfully transitioning into university, apprenticeships or employment. Prior to returning to teach at the University of Auckland, I worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where I led the political, defence/security, trade and cultural aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand's bilateral relationship with Canada. I wrote briefings and provided advice for engagements between Prime Ministers Ardern and Trudeau, and for meetings between Foreign Affairs, Development, Trade, and Climate Change ministers. I also provided consular support to New Zealanders stranded overseas during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Distinctions/Honours: David Wright Prize in English (University of Auckland), 2017 Responsibilities: Director - Tertiary Foudation Certificate | He Ara Takatū Course director and tutor for Tertiary Foundation Certificate English courses.

• Faculty of Arts