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Francesca Alys Kurghan

Doctoral Researcher

School of Sport and Human Movement

  • Doctoral Researcher
    School of Sport and Human Movement

BIO

I am a PhD Candidate in the Division of Health, School of Sport and Human Movement. My research is focussed on the embodied experiences of women content creators in Aotearoa New Zealand who work in predominantly aesthetic-based niches such as fashion/beauty, health/wellness, and fitness. I wanted to research this are as content creation is an emerging industry in Aotearoa and there aren't any health and safety guidelines that exist for working in this industry. Ultimately my goal is to help these individuals to have more positive and safer experiences while working in digital spaces. My Masters research involved interviewing young women in Aotearoa about their experiences with fitness and body image, and social media was revealed to have a significant impact on these individuals. I am a recipient of the Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Merit Award for Doctoral Study. 

UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO APPOINTMENTS

  • Doctoral Researcher
    University of Waikato, School of Sport and Human Movement

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Sessional Assistant in Sport, Development and Coaching 101
    University of Waikato, Division of Health, Sport and Human Performance, Hamilton, New Zealand11 Jul 2025 - present

DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
    University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand10 Dec 2019 - present
  • Master of Health, Sport and Human Performance
    University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand9 Apr 2025 - present

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Level 4 Certificate in Health and Fitness
    New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness, Hamilton, New Zealand

UOW ROLE

  • Doctoral Researcher