Miss Hayley Christine Sparks

BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc (Hons) First Class

Doctoral Candidate - Doctor of Philosophy

In: Environment » Faculty of Science

Research | Current

My current PhD research examines the everyday lived realities of young people who attend private schools in Auckland.The study explores how landscapes of everyday life influence the reproduction and endorsement of social difference as manifested socially, materially and in relation to young people’s identities. By giving this group of young persons an opportunity to voice stories about their everyday lives, it is hoped that critical insights into the lives of young people in Auckland can be collected, enhancing a broader understanding of urban childhoods in New Zealand.

I have broader research interests in children's geographies, as well as urban, social and cultural geographies and research methodology.

Teaching | Current

GEOG 102: Geography of the Human Environment (Coursework co-ordinator)

GEOG 104/G: Cities and Urbanism (Course Tutor and Lecturer)

Distinctions/Honours

The University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship

Academic Career Exploration Scholarship (2016) - participation in Doctoral Academic Leadership Initiative

Hiroki Ogawa School of Environment Citizenship Award (2015)

New Zealand Geographical Society Best Masters Thesis Award (2014)

Committees/Professional groups/Services

School of Environment PhD Student Comittee (Co-chair)

Selected publications and creative works (Research Outputs)

Sparks, H., Collins, F. L., & Kearns, R. (2016). Reflecting on the risks and ethical dilemmas of digital research. Geoforum, 77, 40-46. 10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.09.019
Other University of Auckland co-authors: Francis Collins, Robin Kearns
Sparks, H. (2016). Exploring the Geographies of Privileged Childhoods. Geography Compass, 10 (6), 253-267. 10.1111/gec3.12267