The Auckland crown prosecutor and former University of Otago graduate was awarded a prestigious Fulbright New Zealand Graduate Scholarship in Wellington yesterday, and will start study for a master of laws at Yale University later this year.
Her research will examine how the criminal justice system can better serve wāhine Māori and their communities as victims and defendants, through incremental and transformative change to the justice system.
"I intend to bring what I learn home to Aotearoa, and to contribute to the amazing work already being done in the area of criminal justice to improve the lives of wāhine Māori and our whānau.
"I also look forward to connecting with other indigenous peoples within Yale and across the United States generally — those relationships are really important to inspiring and supporting indigenous success."
Of Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua and Ngāti Tipā descent, Ms Olsen also recently won a William Georgetti Scholarship, which encourages postgraduate study and research in fields that are important to the social, cultural or economic development of New Zealand.
"Being awarded each of these scholarships is a huge privilege for me and my whānau.
"I’m so grateful to the committees and organisations for their support for the kaupapa I’m intending to research.
"Of course, the honour isn’t mine alone. It belongs to all those who have supported me through the years."
Nico Hackner received a Fulbright New Zealand Science and Innovation Graduate Award and will complete a PhD in physics at the University of Illinois.
Andrea Shirtcliffe received a Fulbright New Zealand Science and Innovation Graduate Award and will complete a master of public health specialising in health behaviour and society at Johns Hopkins University.
Timothy Lawler received a Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Award will research rights protection in presidential counter-terrorism policy at Yale University, Vanderbilt University and George Washington University.
