Mema o Te Apārangi | Member profile: Marian Miranda and Janet Sorensen
In this month’s Member profile, we hear from Society Te Apārangi staff members Marian Miranda and Janet Sorensen, who are the Society’s Kairuruku Kirimana Contracts Coordinators in the Research Funding Team.
What are your roles at the Society?
Marian: As Contracts Coordinators, our work consists of live contract management. This includes dealing with specific changes to contracts known as variations, handling a wide range of inquiries as well as financial administration.
Janet: I am a Contracts Coordinator working in the Research Funding team. My sole focus is management of the live Marsden Fund contracts. I also have a specific role maintaining and preparing the monthly Marsden Fund payment of contracts for payment by the Society. My role covers the management of variations to contracts, their reporting requirements, and financial reporting. I have been in this role since 2010, and before that was learning the ropes, as it were, in a part-time role.
What has been a defining highlight of your experience at the Society?
Marian: A defining highlight of my experience of working at the Society is that I enjoy being a part of something that’s bigger than myself. This includes seeing some of the really great scientific research that's always coming out into the world and which is ultimately beneficial for all.
Janet: I have worked at the Royal Society Te Apārangi since 2003. In that time, the Society has transformed itself into a modern, outward facing institution with a superbly beautiful Wellington building to match. When I applied to work here, I knew very little about the Society (to my shame). I have a humanities background and a postgraduate library qualification. It has been wonderful to be able to engage with researchers who are world-class in every field and to assist them to get the most value from their research contracts.
What were the contributing factors for choosing to work at the Society?
Marian: The contributing factors for me choosing to work at the Royal Society Te Apārangi is that coming from a science background, I’ve always had a strong passion for discovery, change and being able to make a difference. I believe that by working here, this not only fosters my ability to do all of this, but I am also able to be a part of an organsiation which highlights the importance of knowledge and the advancements of science research.
Janet: As I said, I knew very little about the Society, but the job presented learning opportunities on many fronts and it has truly lived up to that. While it also remains a professional body, my working life here has been 100% tied to the very important contracts we hold in the research funding arena in New Zealand and I have enjoyed it immensely.
When not working, I enjoy…
Marian: When I am not working, I enjoy travelling, being able to explore and see the world, getting lost in a book, music and spending time with my two cats.
Janet: For relaxation, I am a sewer and a knitter and have made a small number of quilts. I discovered pilates a few years ago and I am a keen pool swimmer as age and stage permits! Also, a fan of Orchestra Wellington, though I have a broad taste in music and play the piano. I am a mother of four and now a grandmother of four, and I get immense joy from spending time with them at home and out discovering all that Wellington has to offer.