Communication

Open Polytechnic employs a wide range of learning and teaching experts who provide academic and learning support to our distance learners.

We also use contractors, mostly off campus, who are subject matter experts in their fields who provide academic support and marking services. 

As a specialist provider of open flexible distance learning, we also employ highly skilled courseware design and development, and education technology professionals, administration and customer support staff, as well as library and learning centre staff who are all focused on helping Open Polytechnic learners achieve their educational goals. 

Find out more about our workforce by selecting an area below.

Select an area

• Executive Team
• Academic Staff
  • Accounting
  • Built Environment
  • Communication
    • 

      Lalitha Jonnavithula

      Academic Staff Member - Communication

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Lalitha Jonnavithula

      I am an Academic Staff Member in Communication.

      Experience

      I have a Postgraduate Diploma and a Masters Degree in Information Sciences from Massey University. I also have a Masters Degree and a Master of Philosophy Degree in English. I have been involved in teaching degree students for over 25 years both face-to-face and through distance education. I also mentor students undertaking the Tertiary Study Skills qualification. I have worked as a reviewer of academic journal articles and have taught at Open Polytechnic since 2001.

      Research interests

      I am interested in E-learning and technology’s role in supporting learning. My Master’s thesis looked at improving the interfaces of online discussion forums to enhance students’ learning support. Currently, I am exploring topics for my Ph.D. You can view my research here.

    • 

      Morgan Hamlin

      Academic Staff Member - Communication

      Open Polytechnic

      Read more about Morgan Hamlin

      Role at Open Polytechnic

      I am an Academic Staff Member in Communication.

      Experience and Education

      I have an Honours, Masters and PhD in sociology from Victoria University of Wellington, and a BA in sociology from Massey University. 

      I was previously a tutor of sociology and public/social policy courses at Victoria University.

      Research interests

      My research examines how citizens make complex environmental, social, and technological problems visible as public issues. My research interests include public participation in planning processes for urban transport infrastructure and housing development projects, and sociological studies of science, technology, and democracy.

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Environment
  • Exercise
  • Financial Services
  • Floristry
  • Foundation and Bridging
  • Funeral Directing
  • Horticulture
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information and Library Studies
  • Initial Teaching Education
  • Interior Design
  • Law
  • Management and Economics
  • Mathematics
  • Pharmacy
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate
  • Social Health and Wellbeing
  • Social Work
  • Sterilising
  • Te Reo Māori
  • Trades
• Library & Learning Centre - Te Whare Pukapuka Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako
• Student Journey Centre