Gender and Physicality

Please click on the link to watch an introduction to Theme 1 of the conference from Major Amy Brosnan

DR Beth Greener

Associate Professor Beth Greener’s research interests lie in the field of international security. She has published books and articles on a range of issues such as international policing, peacebuilding in the Pacific, New Zealand foreign policy, police and military roles in peace and stability operations, human trafficking, and how liberal democracies seek to provide for security. Current research interests include the role of private security actors and the relationship between gender and security issues. Beth has delivered lectures on international relations topics to various courses at NZDF Command and Staff College since 2003, has been actively involved with international bodies such as the UN Police Division and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, and regularly engages in Track II diplomacy around the region.

Gender Matters
DR Greener will provide a review of what “gender” means, and why it is important to develop a gender awareness in the military context.

MAJOR (Dr) Jacques Jean Rousseau

Major (Dr) Jacques Rousseau completed a Degree in Human Movement Sciences in 1982 and a post graduate qualification in Clinical Exercise physiology in 1985 (North West University, South Africa). For many years he worked with the South African Special Forces developing specialised training and exercise rehabilitation programmes. Major Rousseau immigrated to New Zealand in 1999 where he accepted a sport and exercise science lecturing position at Massey University, Wellington. During this time he founded and ran the Massey University Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise programme and completed a Master’s Degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Major Rousseau enlisted in the New Zealand Army 2011 and is currently employed as an Exercise Physiologist in the New Zealand Defence Force. In 2019 he graduated with his Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Sport and Exercise Science, in which he researched the prevention of lower limb injuries in the New Zealand Army. Major Rousseau is now involved in research and development programmes regarding human performance, injury prevention and wellbeing in the New Zealand Defence Force.

Females in Uniform: Physiological Adaptations to Military Training
Major Rousseau will provide an overview of his current research being conducted into the physical fitness and conditioning of women in the NZ Army.

Elyse Gagnon

Elyse is a Programme Manager with the Canterbury District Health Board who specialises in Culture Change. She worked in sexual violence prevention and response for 5 years within both the Canadian Armed Forces and the New Zealand Defence Force. Promoting wellbeing and diversity, as well as supporting organisations to ensure employee wellbeing, have been priorities within these roles. Elyse also aims to create processes and a culture where people feel safe and supported to reach out. Elyse has a Bachelors and Masters of Social Work from the University of Ottawa and is currently completing a PhD through the University of Canterbury.

Military Menstruation: Stories of gender and periods within the New Zealand Army
Elyse Gagnon will discuss her current PhD research which will explore the menstruation experiences of women in the NZ Army.