Global research ties: Penn State, Auckland advance strategic collaboration

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Global hosted nine delegation members from the University of Auckland for a three-day workshop June 16-18. The process to match potential collaborators from both institutions began in November 2024 during a two-day virtual workshop co-hosted by Penn State Global and the International office at the University of Auckland.

The virtual workshop provided the opportunity for Penn State and the University of Auckland faculty members to present their research within four broad thematic areas including materials science, health, renewable energy and intercultural learning. The success of the virtual workshop, with over 34 presentations and 50 attendees, led to many faculty members identifying research collaborators who shared complementary interests.

As a follow-up to the success of the virtual workshop, planning for an in-person workshop to advance the newly identified collaborative opportunities began in late 2024 and culminated in the June 2025 workshop hosted by Penn State Global at University Park. The workshop included tours of the University Park campus, the library and the Centre County area, an EDGE Program (Experiential Digital Global Engagement) presentation and a BBQ dinner with the special addition of music provided by Penn State School of Music students.

The core of the workshop was the research-focused individual faculty meetings, coordinated by project team leads, and the final capstone event where each of the nine project teams presented their collaborative work from the past few days, along with plans for sustainable future efforts and expected outcomes. Presentations fell under four broad thematic areas: bio-inspired materials, intercultural learning, intersections of health and environment, and climate impact — especially in emerging economics. They ranged from "Youth as Researchers for Social Change" to "Improving Bowel Cancer Screening with the Microbiome" to "Sustainable Material Strategies for Next-Gen Energy Storage." Each team leveraged the expertise from both sides of the partnership to explore their specific topic under the thematic areas.

The final workshop experience, sponsored by UNESCO chair Mark Brennan, brought together the New Zealand visitors and Penn State faculty/staff at Medlar Field for a Spikes game, underscoring the friendships made among the participants, in addition to the research partnerships. 

Over 100 participants engaged in the workshop activities, including faculty from University Park and Commonwealth campuses who attended both in-person and virtually. The event facilitated the development of numerous substantive plans for continued collaboration across several key research areas, such as health, materials science, STEM education, biomechanics, sustainability and the social sciences. These collaborative efforts are actively progressing. Several follow-up visits have already taken place, with more scheduled — including potential sabbatical research travel. Notably, one project team has already submitted an application for external funding, reflecting the momentum generated by the workshop.

“Supporting the dynamic partnership between Penn State and the University of Auckland has been both personally and professionally rewarding,” said Wanda Devlin, coordinator for the Oceania Partnership at Penn State Global. “Planning and participating in the recent workshop was a highlight, as it brought together leading experts from both institutions who shared a genuine enthusiasm for creating collaborative impact — greater than what could be achieved individually. The energy in the room during the final presentations was truly palpable, reflecting a strong commitment to continuing these efforts.”

The University of Auckland, New Zealand’s highest-ranked university in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, is renowned for its excellence in research, sustainability, and global engagement and is a leader in higher education across the Asia-Pacific region. Since 2018, Penn State University and the University of Auckland have maintained a strategic partnership that has fostered deep academic collaboration. This partnership has supported two rounds of co-funded seed grants — in 2020 and 2023 — resulting in 10 cross-institutional projects. These initiatives have advanced interdisciplinary research and strengthened faculty and student engagement across both institutions 

Penn State Global and the International Office at the University of Auckland remain deeply committed to strengthening the partnership through innovative approaches that support ongoing collaborative efforts, according to Sabine Klahr, vice provost for Penn State Global.

“Building on a rich history of joint initiatives, our two institutions continue to foster sustainable and meaningful outcomes through collaborations that reflect depth, impact and shared vision," Klahr said. "Our long-term collaborations with the University of Auckland exemplify our goal of building sustainable strategic partnerships in key regions around the world."

For more information on partnerships in the Oceania region, contact Wanda Devlin at wbd6@psu.edu