Associate Professor Melissa McLeod
Te Whatu Kairangi Award | Kaupapa Māori
Supporting Māori learners is a cornerstone of her teaching
Dr Melissa McLeod (MBChB, MPH, PhD, FNZCPHM) | Associate Professor, public health physician and Kaupapa Māori epidemiologist at Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare | Eru Pōmare Māori Health Research Centre, Te Tari Hauora Tūmatanui | Department of Public Health, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago
Ngai Tahu
Melissa’s passion for public health and epidemiology began in her childhood, “I knew that whānau was everything. Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei.” She stands out as a luminary in her field; a highly regarded educator and one of a very limited pool who exemplify te ao Māori in epidemiology.
Melissa clearly embodies kaupapa Māori approaches to education and has used this positioning to inform her pedagogical practice. As espoused by her colleagues, “Melissa has a unique talent for inspiring her students to think critically, fostering in-depth understandings of Māori health and equity that acknowledge powerful historic and contemporary structural forces.”
She is a trailblazer for improved Māori health outcomes and appears to be having a strong influence on how health students and professionals engage with and understand te ao Māori. She is an educator who exemplifies a preparedness to address challenges as opportunities.
Her evidence based approach, coupled with humour and a genuine connection with students, enables her to make transformative differences, as shared by a student, “Mel is an extraordinary teacher who builds connection with her class in a very short course and creates a safe environment to ask questions and explore the topics and concepts presented”