Current Projects

Freedom Wellbeing Institute is actively pursuing the Universal Wellbeing Research Program,
this 16 year old program is dedicated to advancing wellbeing practices worldwide.

Our research outcomes are continuously evolving and are regularly updated here on the Research Page through conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and other scholarly activities.

Stay connected with us for the latest developments in evidence-based wellbeing research.

Project 1: Emergence of the Universal Wellbeing Model

Project Questions

  • What are the current theoretical wellbeing models?

  • How are these theoretical wellbeing models supported by literature?

  • What wellbeing practices are supported by these models?

Research Project Summary
This research aimed to explore and establish a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing models, ultimately leading to the development of the Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM). The model encompasses key wellbeing dimensions:

SPICES

  • Social

  • Physical

  • Intellectual

  • Cultural (and Ethnic)

  • Emotional

  • Spiritual


Project Questions

  • How effective is the Wellbeing Evaluation Tool in identifying wellbeing supports?

  • How effective is the Universal Wellbeing Tool in identifying variables that challenge individuals' wellbeing?

    This project aims to engage 1,000 participants from at least 5 diverse populations.

Project Timelines

  • Planned Start Date: 1st October 2022

  • Planned End Date: 1st December 2024

  • Expected Peer-Reviewed Publication: From July 2024

Project Timelines

  • Planned Start Date: 1st of June 2022

  • Planned End Date: November 2023

  • Expected Peer-Reviewed Publication: December 2023

    This project has now been completed.

Project 2: Wellbeing Evaluation Tool Trials

Project Questions

  • How effective is the Wellbeing Evaluation Tool in identifying wellbeing supports?

  • How effective is the Universal Wellbeing Tool in identifying variables that challenge individuals' wellbeing?

    This project aims to engage 1,000 participants from at least 5 diverse populations.

Research Questions

  • What is the current state of teacher aide wellbeing in New Zealand’s compulsory education sector?

  • How does teacher aide wellbeing impact their practice?

Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET) Structure

The UWET is designed to holistically evaluate key wellbeing variables, enabling practitioners to identify areas of strength and challenge in individuals' overall wellbeing.


Project 3: Universal Wellbeing Plan Impact Evaluation

Project Question
How effective was the wellbeing enhancement plan generated post-evaluation with the Wellbeing Evaluation Tool?

Research Project Summary
This research project aims to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Wellbeing Enhancement Plan developed using the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool. The study will assess how well the plan supports individuals in improving their overall wellbeing across various domains.

Project Question
How effective was the wellbeing enhancement plan generated post-evaluation with the Wellbeing Evaluation Tool?


Project 4: Giving Teacher Aides a Voice: An Investigation of the Impact of Wellbeing on Practice in New Zealand

Project Abstract

The compulsory education sector in New Zealand faces significant post-COVID challenges, including teacher shortages, poor student behaviour, low attendance, and declining academic achievement levels. These issues disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific Island students, and those with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions. In response, the Ministry of Education launched a Teacher Aide Professional Learning and Development (PLD) programme in 2023. This project investigates the wellbeing of Teacher Aides (TAs) and how their wellbeing impacts their practice, contributing to national efforts to address these challenges.

Research Project Summary

This study focuses on understanding the wellbeing of teacher aides and its influence on their ability to support students effectively. Insights from this project will inform policies and strategies to enhance the wellbeing and practice of teacher aides, ultimately improving outcomes for students.

Project Timelines

  • Planned Start Date: 1st October 2022

  • Planned End Date: 1st December 2024

  • Expected Peer-Reviewed Publication: From July 2024


Project 5: Wellbeing Evaluation Tool Trials

Project Questions

  • How effective is the Wellbeing Evaluation Tool in identifying wellbeing supports?

  • How effective is the Universal Wellbeing Tool in identifying variables that challenge individuals' wellbeing?

This project aims to involve 1,000 participants from at least 5 diverse populations.

Research Project Summary

The Wellbeing Evaluation Tool Trials focus on assessing the tool’s effectiveness in identifying both positive wellbeing supports and the challenges individuals face. This research will provide insights into how the Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET) can be applied across diverse populations to improve individual and collective wellbeing outcomes.

Project Timelines

  • Planned Start Date: 1st of June 2024

  • Planned End Date: December 2025

  • Expected Peer-Reviewed Publication: March 2026

Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET) Structure

The Universal Wellbeing Evaluation Tool (UWET) is designed to holistically evaluate key variables of wellbeing, including social, emotional, cultural, and physical factors. This tool empowers practitioners to identify areas of strength and improvement for individuals' overall wellbeing.


Project 6: Evaluation Outcomes Contribute Diverse Ethnic and Cultural Value, and Impact Perspectives to Catalytic Effect in the Universal Wellbeing Model Development Journey

Project Questions

  • What value did adult higher education students, teaching/research staff, and professional pastoral care and wellbeing practitioners attribute to the models implemented?

  • What experiences, both positive and negative, impacted the adult higher education students, teaching/research staff, and professional pastoral care and wellbeing practitioners involved?

  • What did these groups view as contributing to solving complexities and challenges in the provision of equity-supporting academic and pastoral care systems?

Research Project Summary

This project is part of a larger, fifteen-year, multi-phased research and evaluation programme. The focus is on Impact Evaluation of the Whare Tapa Wha (Durie, 1994) and Whare Tapa Rima (Moeau, 1997) models, especially in supporting student achievement in higher education settings.

The Impact Evaluation has provided critical insights from diverse ethnic and cultural perspectives, revealing both positive and negative experiences among students, staff, and practitioners. These findings have significantly advanced the development of the Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM) and its practical applications in pastoral care and wellbeing.

Key Findings

  • Participatory approaches in the evaluation revealed both intended and unintended impacts on participants.

  • Diverse perspectives on responsiveness, safety, and competence in providing equitable wellbeing support were identified, offering new knowledge for educators and wellbeing practitioners globally.

  • These insights have had a catalytic impact on completing the theoretical framework of the Universal Wellbeing Model, contributing to its final development.

Project Timelines

  • Planned Start Date: January 2024

  • Planned End Date: December 2024

  • Expected Peer-Reviewed Publication: From December 2025-2026