Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
1 day ago
A New Zealand-born neuroscientist who spent a decade leading research in the United Kingdom has returned home to take up a new role as EIT’s Head of School for Health and Sport Science.
Dr Shelley Duncan, who grew up in Auckland and began her career as a social worker, says she is already feeling at home after less than two months in the role.
“I feel like I’ve walked into a family,” she says.
Dr Shelley Duncan has been appointed EIT’s new Head of School for Health and Sport Science.
Shelley spent about 15 years working as a social worker both in New Zealand and the UK, predominantly in child protection and child and adolescent mental health services.
Wanting to step into an environment where she could embed earlier interventions for youth health and wellbeing, Shelley completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Health and Sport Science. Shelley then went on to complete her postgraduate diploma in
Exercise Rehabilitation, and Masters of Sport Science.
A growing curiosity about the relationship between exercise and the brain led her to being awarded a scholarship to complete her PhD in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience at Victoria University in Melbourne.
Her doctoral research examined dual tasking; the brain’s ability to manage two things at once, like walking and talking, and whether exercise could improve cognitive function. She found that resistance exercise produced the strongest results, even in young adults.
“If you get the methodology right and you get the data collection right, you’re on good footing to having some exciting data.”
From there, Shelley built a research career at Southampton Solent University, eventually becoming University Research Lead for Human Function and Health and Academic lead for postgraduate provision.
During that time, she was also a co-investigator on a £5 million, five-year National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) grant, working alongside Southampton City Council and around 70 community partners to develop infrastructure for researching health inequalities.
She also took on an Honorary Senior Research Fellowship at the University of Kent, where she has been working on what could prove to be a significant breakthrough – a non-invasive, non-drug treatment for Parkinson’s disease.
“We’re at a point now where we need to conduct the next research phase. The goal of this research is to determine whether the changes we are seeing within the brain dynamics can influence what we see in behaviour, such as walking. If it comes out how I hope it will, then we can look at trialling this intervention within a clinical application.”
She plans to apply for funding to advance the research and hopes to eventually bring it to New Zealand, with colleague Professor David Wilkinson – who launched the UK’s first non-drug integrated therapy clinic for Parkinson’s – keen to support her.
While she continues to collaborate on research and supervise PhD students internationally, Shelley says she was ready for a change and a return to New Zealand, drawn by the opportunity to be part of a more connected, community-focused environment.
“I wanted something that felt more like a village. A place where there is genuine collegiality and connection. I feel like I’ve walked into an environment where people have just opened their arms to me.”
Her approach to leadership is grounded in collaboration.
“I’m very consultative in how I work. The best solutions come from working across disciplines, because everyone brings a different lens.”
As Head of School, Shelley says she is focused on ensuring students graduate with a strong foundation for employment, while continuing to build on the school’s strengths.
“It’s about making sure our provision is scaffolded properly so that we are building knowledge. When our students graduate, they’re entering a highly competitive market, so if we can add value throughout their journey, they’re coming out a step ahead.”
Helen Ryan-Stewart, Executive Dean, Education, Humanities and Health Science, says: “We are delighted to welcome Shelley to EIT”.
“She brings international leadership experience, a strong commitment to applied, community‑focused learning, and a genuine passion for supporting learners at every stage of their journey.
“Her people‑centred approach and connection to Aotearoa make her a wonderful fit for our Health and Sport Science whānau, and we are excited about the leadership she will bring to our communities.”
