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Assoc. Prof. Brigit Mirfin-Veitch

A professional headshot of Brigit Mirfin-Veitch. Brigit is a Pākehā women with blonde hair and wearing a green shirt.

Kaiuruki Matua
Director

(Kāti Pākehā)

Kia ora. I’m Brigit, and I am very proud and privileged to lead the fantastic DBI team. My DBI journey began in 1994 when I was employed as a research assistant - half-time for six months. Three decades later, I am still here, motivated and excited by the critical and diverse research and projects we are involved in.

I graduated with a degree in sociology and history from Canterbury University in 1991, followed by a PhD from the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka - University of Otago in 2005. As a sociologist, I am passionate about driving social change through evidence-based research. I have led or participated in various projects on disability rights, including health and well-being, access to justice, violence and abuse, parenting, and implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. One of my role's most exciting and essential aspects is getting to know, develop and mentor emerging disabled and disability researchers and collaborating with incredible research colleagues from across Aotearoa and beyond.

Outside of work, I am the Mum of two adult daughters who also grew up within the DBI whānau and the Ōtepoti home-away-from-home for many young family members studying at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka - University of Otago. In my downtime, you can usually find me on two wheels somewhere.

A photo of Sir Robert Martin and Brigit standing infront of a large banner which says: Developing New Zealand's mental health, addiction and disability workforce. They are holding physical copies of the report which looks big.
A picture of Brigit and Dr Cuk at a conference in Chicago. Dr Cuk is using a wheelchair and Brigit is standing beside him, they are both smiling
Brigit is doing a presentation with William, a self advocate. They are standing in front of a projector screen and Will is talking.