Mema o Te Apārangi | Member profile: Holly Young
In this month’s Member profile, we hear from Holly Young, Kaimanaaki Matua Whakapā Senior Advisor Communications & Strategic Events.
Tell us about your role at the Society
Our External Engagement team is small for the ambitious goals we have. We’re all highly motivated by the vibrancy of the research community – there are always more connections to make, and incredible stories to tell!
Our team is responsible for the Society’s statutory responsibility to promote public understanding and a culture that supports science, technology and the humanities. Much of this supports the wider work programme of the Society. We also have primary responsibility for the Society’s education programmes for students, teachers and the general public.
Tell us about your work
On a practical level, we prepare a wide variety of communications from newsletters and publications, to media releases, videos and content. We also organise events and awards, and engage with external organisations on collaborations and sponsorships.
This year is the 30th anniversary of the Marsden Fund, and we’re focused on amplifying the impacts of the excellent research invested in over that time. I recently organised a celebration and panel discussion at Parliament. It was incredible to rub shoulders with so many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most distinguished thinkers and create a platform to recognise their achievements.
I find collaborative projects especially rewarding, such as contributing to the work that Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga achieved on Te Takarangi: A celebration of 150 Māori non-fiction books or our support of the Auckland Writers Festival.
What has been a defining highlight of your experience at the Society?
Without a doubt, supporting Professor Rangi Matamua FRSNZ in his lecture series Ko Matariki e ārau ana: The gathering of Matariki. On the final night of the tour, Rangi received a standing ovation and spontaneous haka from the 550-strong audience. It was strikingly powerful and deeply moving.
Why did you choose to work at the Society?
I’m a real communications generalist and have worked across a lot of different areas over my career, so the expansive nature of the Society’s work was instantly appealing. I have a background in consultancy, the public sector, tertiary education, and banking, as well as a wonderful couple of years publicising exhibitions and doing film work at the V&A in London.
What do you do when you’re not at the Society?
I’m a bit of a foodie, love the visual arts and read as often as I can. Wellington’s incredible on a good day, and then I’ll be outside tramping or trying to sail. I have a Starling dinghy – a classic Kiwi innovation from the 1960s - it should be easily handled in fresh conditions, but I’m still working on that!