Secretariat
Chris Gallavin
Director
Prof Chris Gallavin is Director of the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies. Chris is formerly Dean of the University of Canterbury School of Law and Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey University.
Chris is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in the area of criminal justice. He has presented at more than 35 conferences, and has in excess of 1000 media citations.
Skilled in Advocacy, Policy Analysis, Strategic University Planning, and Criminal Law and Evidence, Chris is committed to community and addressing local and global problems through the engagement of industry, societal, educational and the not-for-profit sectors in unique collaboration for the development of a sustainable future.
Kiraan Chetty
Deputy Director & Senior Research Fellow
Kiraan Chetty is Deputy Director of the New Zealand Centre for Global Studies, and Senior Research Fellow in the Global Law and Governance Programme.
A social and political philosopher, Kiraan has a BA in Philosophy, Politics & International Relations, a BA Hons (First Class Honours) in Philosophy, and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Auckland.
Recipient of the Harry Hodson Prize (The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs) and the GWR Ardley Research Award (University of Auckland), Kiraan’s research focus is on connections between identity, community, and justice on the global level. For a recent publication, see Chetty, Kiraan. ‘The Theory and Practice of Self-Determination at the UN: Challenges for International Law, Prospects for Global Governance‘ (Global Studies Research Series 10, 2023).
Ria Shibata
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Ria Shibata earned her Masters degree in global studies from Sophia University, and Ph.D. in peace and conflict studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand.
She is the Centre’s first Senior Research Fellow, with the support of Toda Peace Institute (Tokyo). She is also a Visiting Scholar at the University of Auckland.
Her primary research interest is in conflict resolution and reconciliation in Northeast Asia with particular focus on the intricate aspects of national identity, historical memory, and competitive victimhood. One of her interests lies in understanding the way collective memories of historical traumas shape a group’s identity, often acting as impediments in restoring damaged relationships between the aggrieved and the aggressor.
Joanna Tao
Secretary
Joanna Tao is Secretary for the Centre. She has a Masters in Global Studies from Auckland University (in Environment & Sustainable Development), and has been granted a number of environmental awards, including ‘Keep New Zealand Beautiful’, the Sir Peter Blake Award and the St Francis of Assisi Award.
In 2016 she participated in the NZCGS Global Citizenship conference in Wellington.