title: “Being treated as an equal is how I feel supported”: Expanding conceptualisations of “normal” to include gender, sex characteristic, and sexuality diversity on the university campus

authors: Brown, Juliana

subjects: gender

abstract: International research has a plethora of findings which show that gender, sex characteristic, and sexuality diverse (GSSD) staff and students are discriminated against and treated as ‘unwelcome’ on tertiary campuses at higher rates than their cisgender, endosex, and heterosexual (cis-endo-hetero) counterparts. Further research has demonstrated that GSSD people have greater potential to thrive academically (specific to students) and personally when universities foster campus climates that are inclusive of their identities. In Aotearoa New Zealand, there is a dearth of literature about the experiences of GSSD people on university campuses. This thesis research was conducted to help address the knowledge gap.
A community psychology and mixed methods approach was used in this study to understand GSSD staff and student perceptions of the campus climate at the University of Waikato, as well as to determine how to best achieve improvement, if needed. The first research stage included seven focus groups with GSSD staff and students, with initial analysis of the qualitative data collected from these focus groups being used to inform Stage Two: a campus climate survey. The survey was conducted with the intention to gain a broad range of views from university staff and students who identified as GSSD and as cis-endo-hetero (N = 343).
GSSD participants largely described The University of Waikato as a heteronormative, endonormative, and cisnormative environment. Further analysis also brought to light the mononormativity experienced by GSSD people who are non-monogamous. Full analysis of Stage One data resulted in the finding of ‘the (in)visible self’, which refers to the ways in which participants made their GSSD identities visible or invisible in the campus space at different times for varying reasons, including for the sake of their wellbeing. Participants in the focus groups also expressed the need for the university to actively include and educate about GSSD identities on campus so that GSSD people can more safely be ‘visible’ as themselves. These Stage One findings were supported by the qualitative data generated from the Stage Two survey; however, GSSD people in the survey expressed an additional desire for their identities to not just be included and educated about, but to also be considered ‘normal’ at university. Of particular interest is that this notion of ‘normal’ did not incorporate homonormative or transnormative rhetoric.
Overall, this research expands on the limited existing literature in Aotearoa New Zealand to demonstrate there is a local need for universities to critically re-examine their practices, policies, and educational content in relation to gender, sex characteristics, and sexuality, with this thesis identifying the most promising intervention options, according to participants. People with a range of GSSD voices should be included in any intervention efforts (rather than GSSD people being treated like a homogenous group). Having GSSD voices included in any interventions is also important given my thesis research found that cis- endo-hetero people overestimated the acceptance of some GSSD groups on campus (e.g., non-binary people, bisexual and pansexual people) compared to the perceptions of GSSD participants themselves. The thorough disruption of heteronormative, endonormative, and cisnormative discourses on campus would create a climate in which being GSSD is considered normal (i.e., not remarkable, or forcibly [in]visible) and cisgender, endosex, and heterosexual identities are not normative (i.e., perceived as what should be normal) in university policy, educational content, and everyday interactions.

text: “Being treated as an equal is how I feel supported”: Expanding conceptualisations of “normal” to include gender, sex characteristic, and sexuality diversity on the university campus International research has a plethora of findings which show that gender, sex characteristic, and sexuality diverse (GSSD) staff and students are discriminated against and treated as ‘unwelcome’ on tertiary campuses at higher rates than their cisgender, endosex, and heterosexual (cis-endo-hetero) counterparts. Further research has demonstrated that GSSD people have greater potential to thrive academically (specific to students) and personally when universities foster campus climates that are inclusive of their identities. In Aotearoa New Zealand, there is a dearth of literature about the experiences of GSSD people on university campuses. This thesis research was conducted to help address the knowledge gap.
A community psychology and mixed methods approach was used in this study to understand GSSD staff and student perceptions of the campus climate at the University of Waikato, as well as to determine how to best achieve improvement, if needed. The first research stage included seven focus groups with GSSD staff and students, with initial analysis of the qualitative data collected from these focus groups being used to inform Stage Two: a campus climate survey. The survey was conducted with the intention to gain a broad range of views from university staff and students who identified as GSSD and as cis-endo-hetero (N = 343).
GSSD participants largely described The University of Waikato as a heteronormative, endonormative, and cisnormative environment. Further analysis also brought to light the mononormativity experienced by GSSD people who are non-monogamous. Full analysis of Stage One data resulted in the finding of ‘the (in)visible self’, which refers to the ways in which participants made their GSSD identities visible or invisible in the campus space at different times for varying reasons, including for the sake of their wellbeing. Participants in the focus groups also expressed the need for the university to actively include and educate about GSSD identities on campus so that GSSD people can more safely be ‘visible’ as themselves. These Stage One findings were supported by the qualitative data generated from the Stage Two survey; however, GSSD people in the survey expressed an additional desire for their identities to not just be included and educated about, but to also be considered ‘normal’ at university. Of particular interest is that this notion of ‘normal’ did not incorporate homonormative or transnormative rhetoric.
Overall, this research expands on the limited existing literature in Aotearoa New Zealand to demonstrate there is a local need for universities to critically re-examine their practices, policies, and educational content in relation to gender, sex characteristics, and sexuality, with this thesis identifying the most promising intervention options, according to participants. People with a range of GSSD voices should be included in any intervention efforts (rather than GSSD people being treated like a homogenous group). Having GSSD voices included in any interventions is also important given my thesis research found that cis- endo-hetero people overestimated the acceptance of some GSSD groups on campus (e.g., non-binary people, bisexual and pansexual people) compared to the perceptions of GSSD participants themselves. The thorough disruption of heteronormative, endonormative, and cisnormative discourses on campus would create a climate in which being GSSD is considered normal (i.e., not remarkable, or forcibly [in]visible) and cisgender, endosex, and heterosexual identities are not normative (i.e., perceived as what should be normal) in university policy, educational content, and everyday interactions.

year: 2024-05-19

title: The reactions of group IVB hydrides with carbonyl complexes of cobalt and manganese

authors: Foster, Stephen Paul

abstract: The use of the hydrides as reagents for building group IVB - transition metal complexes has been investigated.

The reactions of the simple hydrides; Me₃GeH, Me₂GeH₂, MeGeH₃, GeH₄, Me₂SiH₂, Me₂SnH₂, MeSnH₃, and SnH₄, with Co₂(CO)₈ have been examined, and the effect determined of, reactant ratios and amount of CO present, on the products obtained. Limited evidence was obtained for the synthesis of the new compounds; MeGe[Co(CO)₄]₃, HGe[Co(CO)₄]₃, Me₂SiHCo(CO)₄ and (OC)₄CoMe₂SiOCCo₃(CO)₉. Me₂GeH₂ replaces a bridging CO group:

Me₂GeH₂ + Co₂(CO)₈ → Me₂GeCo₂(CO)₇ + H₂ + CO
Me₂GeH₂ + Me₂GeCo₂(CO) ₇ → (Me₂Ge)₂Co₂(CO)₆ + H₂ + CO

In the reactions of the polygermanes; Me₃GeGeH₃, Me₃SiGeH₃, Ge₂H₆, Ge₃H₈ and (GeH₃)₂SiMe₂ with Co₂(CO)₈, the M'-Ge, (M' = Si or Ge) bonds were quantitatively cleaved, and the new compound Ge₂Co₆(CO)₂₀, was isolated. This compound is assigned the structure:

on spectroscopic evidence.

Me₂GeH₂ also replaces a bridging CO group in the germanium - cobalt carbonyl species, to produce the new compounds; Me₂Ge₂Co₄(CO)₁₃ and (Me₂Ge)₂Ge₂Co₆(CO)₁₈. An X-ray crystallographic study on Me₂Ge₂Co₄(CO)₁₃ although showing the: 

skeleton, failed to refine properly. The reactions of Me₂SiH₂ and Me₂SnH₂ with germanium - cobalt carbonyl species failed to give a similar result.

MeGeH₃ and GeCo₄(Co)₁₄ produced initially the analogous Me(H)Ge₂Co₄(CO)₁₃. However when left for 6 months, an unexpected rearrangement yielded (MeGe)₂Co₄(CO)₁₁. X-ray crystallography showed an irregular square bipyramidal structure, containing 5-coordinated square pyramidal germanium. This is this first example of such a group IVB - transition metal cluster.

The decarbonylation of Ge₂Co₆(CO)₂₀ yielded the new compound [(OC)₄CoGe]₂Co₄(CO)₁₁ :


which was found by X-ray crystallography to have a similar square bipyramidal structure.
The new tin hydrides; MeSnH₂Mn(CO)₅ and Me₂SnHMn(CO)₅, have been prepared by the established route :
Me₍₃₋ₓ₎SnHₓCl + NaMn(CO)₅ → Me₍₃₋ₓ₎SnHₓMn(CO)₅ + NaCl
(x = 1,2) and characterised spectroscopically.

text: The reactions of group IVB hydrides with carbonyl complexes of cobalt and manganese The use of the hydrides as reagents for building group IVB - transition metal complexes has been investigated.

The reactions of the simple hydrides; Me₃GeH, Me₂GeH₂, MeGeH₃, GeH₄, Me₂SiH₂, Me₂SnH₂, MeSnH₃, and SnH₄, with Co₂(CO)₈ have been examined, and the effect determined of, reactant ratios and amount of CO present, on the products obtained. Limited evidence was obtained for the synthesis of the new compounds; MeGe[Co(CO)₄]₃, HGe[Co(CO)₄]₃, Me₂SiHCo(CO)₄ and (OC)₄CoMe₂SiOCCo₃(CO)₉. Me₂GeH₂ replaces a bridging CO group:

Me₂GeH₂ + Co₂(CO)₈ → Me₂GeCo₂(CO)₇ + H₂ + CO
Me₂GeH₂ + Me₂GeCo₂(CO) ₇ → (Me₂Ge)₂Co₂(CO)₆ + H₂ + CO

In the reactions of the polygermanes; Me₃GeGeH₃, Me₃SiGeH₃, Ge₂H₆, Ge₃H₈ and (GeH₃)₂SiMe₂ with Co₂(CO)₈, the M'-Ge, (M' = Si or Ge) bonds were quantitatively cleaved, and the new compound Ge₂Co₆(CO)₂₀, was isolated. This compound is assigned the structure:

on spectroscopic evidence.

Me₂GeH₂ also replaces a bridging CO group in the germanium - cobalt carbonyl species, to produce the new compounds; Me₂Ge₂Co₄(CO)₁₃ and (Me₂Ge)₂Ge₂Co₆(CO)₁₈. An X-ray crystallographic study on Me₂Ge₂Co₄(CO)₁₃ although showing the: 

skeleton, failed to refine properly. The reactions of Me₂SiH₂ and Me₂SnH₂ with germanium - cobalt carbonyl species failed to give a similar result.

MeGeH₃ and GeCo₄(Co)₁₄ produced initially the analogous Me(H)Ge₂Co₄(CO)₁₃. However when left for 6 months, an unexpected rearrangement yielded (MeGe)₂Co₄(CO)₁₁. X-ray crystallography showed an irregular square bipyramidal structure, containing 5-coordinated square pyramidal germanium. This is this first example of such a group IVB - transition metal cluster.

The decarbonylation of Ge₂Co₆(CO)₂₀ yielded the new compound [(OC)₄CoGe]₂Co₄(CO)₁₁ :


which was found by X-ray crystallography to have a similar square bipyramidal structure.
The new tin hydrides; MeSnH₂Mn(CO)₅ and Me₂SnHMn(CO)₅, have been prepared by the established route :
Me₍₃₋ₓ₎SnHₓCl + NaMn(CO)₅ → Me₍₃₋ₓ₎SnHₓMn(CO)₅ + NaCl
(x = 1,2) and characterised spectroscopically.

year: 1982

title: The hydrodynamic evolution of the Maketū Estuary after the re-diversion of the Kaituna River

authors: Razzaghi, Mojgan

abstract: The Maketū Estuary and lower Kaituna River located in the Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa, New Zealand have undergone anthropic disturbances since late 1800s, including land reclamation, river diversion and re-diversion, and modifications to the river channels and estuary tidal inlet. This has resulted in estuarine degradation, as is a common issue worldwide. Globally different approaches to estuary restoration have aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of estuarine degradation.  However, there are still gaps in restoration frameworks and how the success of the scheme is evaluated that mean there is no ready-made solution to the issues at Maketū.
This thesis examines the important role of the hydrodynamic processes (including water quality) that govern the overall physical response of Maketū Estuary to two stages of partial re-diversion of the Kaituna River into the estuary. The assessment of this physical response highlighted the necessity of a proper framework in which restoration attempts, such as at Maketū are evaluated.
Field time series data were collected before and after two stages of river re-diversion, Stage 1 in 2020 and Stage 2 in 2021, each over a span of a month, to record the immediate response of the estuary to the added freshwater flows. Freshwater flow into the estuary was constrained to approximately 4 hours during flood tides when the water level In the Kaituna River was at least 40 mm higher than the upper Maketū Estuary. The control gates also operate as a flood control scheme, so they remain shut if there is flood risk causing all the flood volume to discharge directly to the sea through Te Tumu Cut river mouth. 
The field data were obtained using Aquadopp ADPs, RBR Maestros, RBR Concertos, and Solinst water level loggers at seven different sites throughout the estuary and the Kaituna River. A hydrographic survey of the estuary using RTK-GNSS was undertaken and combined with LiDAR to produce a bathymetric map of the estuary and Lower Kaituna River. Comparison of this map to previous compilations showed that the tidal inlet and lower estuary have not undergone major changes since the original river diversion in 1958, apart from an expansion in the area occupied by the flood tidal delta. However, the upper estuary has undergone both artificial and natural changes, including construction of artificial channels, causeways and reclamation, which have influenced the flow regime, circulation patterns and the flushing ability of the upper estuary. 
Based on field observations, the freshwater inflow to the estuary during Stage 1 was higher than Stage 2 even though Stage 1 was a partial re-diversion restricted to 400,000 m3 per flood tide, compared to the maximum 600,000 m3 for Stage 2. There was great spatial variability in the response of the estuary to the added freshwater flow despite the estuary’s small size and lack of inter-tidal vegetation. To better isolate the impact of freshwater flow and eliminate variables such as spring/neap tidal events, rainfall and wind, all of the data were averaged over a semi-diurnal tidal cycle of 12.4 hours. There was an increase in mean water level after both stages. Flow in the mid and upper estuary shifted towards ebb-dominance after Stage 1, but no further shift to ebb-dominance was observed after Stage 2. Mean bottom salinity increased in the upper estuary while it decreased everywhere else after Stage 1. Mean bottom salinity reduced uniformly throughout the estuary after Stage 2, most likely due to higher rainfall rate during the monitoring period, and not the added freshwater flow.
To better understand the mixing patterns within the estuary, Estuarine Richardson number (R_iE) was calculated at 3 main sites before and after both stages of re-diversion. R_iE increased after Stage 1, but not sufficiently to cause a shift in classification; therefore, the estuary remained partially-mixed. Current dynamics within the estuary varied depending on proximity to the tidal inlet, with sites close to the inlet showing a strong tidal signal, and the ones near the control gates showing a decreased tidal influence and an increased response to freshwater inflows during flood tide when the control gates were open. Surface currents were influenced by strong winds during storm events and dictated the mixing (stratification) in the mid and upper shallow estuary. However, it was difficult to assess the significance of these changes in relation to the community aspirations for the re-diversion and estuarine restoration as there were insufficient quantitative or qualitative targets defined.
To complement the field observations and better evaluate the impact of alternative restoration options, a 2D numerical model of the estuary was developed using Delft3D. After successfully being calibrated and validated, Delft3D-FLOW and PART were used to simulate different scenarios to assess the flow regime and flushing ability of the estuary. The scenarios included Stage 1 re-diversion, river inflow flow without control gates; and a pulsed flood flow using control gates that imitated natural flood events. Particle tracking was used determine the residence time across the estuary, and assess within which zones decay rate changed with tidal fluctuations, and which zones were sheltered from the tidal fluctuations. Model results showed that the pulsed flood scenario created the optimal conditions for sediment transport, increased flushing ability, and reduced salinity throughout the estuary. The model results also highlighted differences in how various zones in the estuary responded to the added freshwater flow, further emphasising the need to monitor them separately with an improved monitoring framework.
The results of this study have led to a better understanding of the impact of added freshwater flow on estuarine hydrodynamics and water quality: specifically how the river input moves the boundaries of fluvially or tidally dominated, and mixing zones. The most vulnerable zones in terms of the flushing ability under different scenarios of freshwater restoration were also identified. This study also highlighted the importance of setting tangible targets in the restoration scheme in alignment with the environmental uncertainties such as the average river flow and limitations due to flooding issues in the upper catchment.

text: The hydrodynamic evolution of the Maketū Estuary after the re-diversion of the Kaituna River The Maketū Estuary and lower Kaituna River located in the Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa, New Zealand have undergone anthropic disturbances since late 1800s, including land reclamation, river diversion and re-diversion, and modifications to the river channels and estuary tidal inlet. This has resulted in estuarine degradation, as is a common issue worldwide. Globally different approaches to estuary restoration have aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of estuarine degradation.  However, there are still gaps in restoration frameworks and how the success of the scheme is evaluated that mean there is no ready-made solution to the issues at Maketū.
This thesis examines the important role of the hydrodynamic processes (including water quality) that govern the overall physical response of Maketū Estuary to two stages of partial re-diversion of the Kaituna River into the estuary. The assessment of this physical response highlighted the necessity of a proper framework in which restoration attempts, such as at Maketū are evaluated.
Field time series data were collected before and after two stages of river re-diversion, Stage 1 in 2020 and Stage 2 in 2021, each over a span of a month, to record the immediate response of the estuary to the added freshwater flows. Freshwater flow into the estuary was constrained to approximately 4 hours during flood tides when the water level In the Kaituna River was at least 40 mm higher than the upper Maketū Estuary. The control gates also operate as a flood control scheme, so they remain shut if there is flood risk causing all the flood volume to discharge directly to the sea through Te Tumu Cut river mouth. 
The field data were obtained using Aquadopp ADPs, RBR Maestros, RBR Concertos, and Solinst water level loggers at seven different sites throughout the estuary and the Kaituna River. A hydrographic survey of the estuary using RTK-GNSS was undertaken and combined with LiDAR to produce a bathymetric map of the estuary and Lower Kaituna River. Comparison of this map to previous compilations showed that the tidal inlet and lower estuary have not undergone major changes since the original river diversion in 1958, apart from an expansion in the area occupied by the flood tidal delta. However, the upper estuary has undergone both artificial and natural changes, including construction of artificial channels, causeways and reclamation, which have influenced the flow regime, circulation patterns and the flushing ability of the upper estuary. 
Based on field observations, the freshwater inflow to the estuary during Stage 1 was higher than Stage 2 even though Stage 1 was a partial re-diversion restricted to 400,000 m3 per flood tide, compared to the maximum 600,000 m3 for Stage 2. There was great spatial variability in the response of the estuary to the added freshwater flow despite the estuary’s small size and lack of inter-tidal vegetation. To better isolate the impact of freshwater flow and eliminate variables such as spring/neap tidal events, rainfall and wind, all of the data were averaged over a semi-diurnal tidal cycle of 12.4 hours. There was an increase in mean water level after both stages. Flow in the mid and upper estuary shifted towards ebb-dominance after Stage 1, but no further shift to ebb-dominance was observed after Stage 2. Mean bottom salinity increased in the upper estuary while it decreased everywhere else after Stage 1. Mean bottom salinity reduced uniformly throughout the estuary after Stage 2, most likely due to higher rainfall rate during the monitoring period, and not the added freshwater flow.
To better understand the mixing patterns within the estuary, Estuarine Richardson number (R_iE) was calculated at 3 main sites before and after both stages of re-diversion. R_iE increased after Stage 1, but not sufficiently to cause a shift in classification; therefore, the estuary remained partially-mixed. Current dynamics within the estuary varied depending on proximity to the tidal inlet, with sites close to the inlet showing a strong tidal signal, and the ones near the control gates showing a decreased tidal influence and an increased response to freshwater inflows during flood tide when the control gates were open. Surface currents were influenced by strong winds during storm events and dictated the mixing (stratification) in the mid and upper shallow estuary. However, it was difficult to assess the significance of these changes in relation to the community aspirations for the re-diversion and estuarine restoration as there were insufficient quantitative or qualitative targets defined.
To complement the field observations and better evaluate the impact of alternative restoration options, a 2D numerical model of the estuary was developed using Delft3D. After successfully being calibrated and validated, Delft3D-FLOW and PART were used to simulate different scenarios to assess the flow regime and flushing ability of the estuary. The scenarios included Stage 1 re-diversion, river inflow flow without control gates; and a pulsed flood flow using control gates that imitated natural flood events. Particle tracking was used determine the residence time across the estuary, and assess within which zones decay rate changed with tidal fluctuations, and which zones were sheltered from the tidal fluctuations. Model results showed that the pulsed flood scenario created the optimal conditions for sediment transport, increased flushing ability, and reduced salinity throughout the estuary. The model results also highlighted differences in how various zones in the estuary responded to the added freshwater flow, further emphasising the need to monitor them separately with an improved monitoring framework.
The results of this study have led to a better understanding of the impact of added freshwater flow on estuarine hydrodynamics and water quality: specifically how the river input moves the boundaries of fluvially or tidally dominated, and mixing zones. The most vulnerable zones in terms of the flushing ability under different scenarios of freshwater restoration were also identified. This study also highlighted the importance of setting tangible targets in the restoration scheme in alignment with the environmental uncertainties such as the average river flow and limitations due to flooding issues in the upper catchment.

year: 2023