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Ash Beales

Professional headshot of Ash Beales. Ash is a Pākehā nonbinary person. They are wearing a green blazer and a black shirt and smiling. They are also wearing a silver necklace and a pronoun pin.

Kairuruku me te Pārokoroko
Research & Communications

(Kāti Pākehā)

Kia ora, I’m Ash! I work in Research and Communications at the DBI, and I’m a Monitor for the Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. My favourite part of this research has been connecting with other disabled people and listening to their experiences and stories. I also work behind the scenes on the DBI website and social media.

I graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies and have previously gained a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Science Communication. During my studies, I developed an interest in the accessibility of tertiary education and the importance of strong support systems for disabled students. I have lived experience as a disabled student and have worked on an inter-agency research project which surveyed the supports available to disabled tertiary students in Aotearoa. I’m passionate about disability rights, disabled-led research, and the importance of community building within the disability space.

Outside of work, I love houseplants and gardening at home in Mosgiel. I also enjoy swimming in the ocean (when it’s warm!), listening to audiobooks, and hanging out with my two rescue cats.

Ash is speaking at a lectern for OUSA diversity week at a bookshop.
A selfie of Ash in their graduation hat and gown during the graduation parade in 2023. They have long curly hair and are grinning at the camera.
A picture of Ash at a pride celebration in Dunedin. They are wearing a pride flag t-shirt and bright yellow pants. There are other people holding pride flags and the Māori flag in the background.