We proudly celebrate Professor Dione Healey, founder of ENGAGE, as she delivered her Inaugural Professorial Lecture (IPL) at the University of Otago on 5 August – an opportunity for her to share her academic and personal journey from early research interests to professorial leadership.
A professorial appointment at Otago represents the culmination of a rigorous selection process, based on outstanding leadership in research, teaching and service, evaluated by the University’s Vice-Chancellor and academic promotion committees.
In her IPL, Dione reflected on how her early interest in ADHD led her to ask: “How can children learn to self-regulate, not through medication or reward/punishment systems, but through developing their own skills?” That question led to years of research and ultimately the creation of ENGAGE, proving to deliver sustained improvements in children’s cognitive, behavioural, and emotional regulation.
Trials in early childhood centres and 20 Christchurch primary schools affirmed those outcomes, with children showing lasting gains in self-regulation. ENGAGE was designed to be low-cost, culturally responsive and practical – an approach families and kaiako can implement without expensive equipment.
Alongside her groundbreaking research, Dione has mentored the next generation of scholars, supervising 12 PhD students, 14 Masters students and 18 Honours projects, demonstrating her leadership as both educator and researcher.
Congratulations, Professor Healey. Your professorial appointment is a testament to your dedication, innovation and impact.