Grace Jacobs Corban

Driven by a passion for communicating complex topics, Grace Jacobs Corban found the perfect postgraduate qualification in the Master of Science in Society.

Decoding maths and space science

Grace’s undergraduate studies were in maths and physics, so the interdisciplinary nature of the MScSoc was  an ideal fit.

“When I found out about the Master of Science in Society,  I was really getting into science communication through my job as an educator at Space Place, and was also interested in thinking about how people engage with and learn complex subjects like maths and space science,” Grace explains. “This was something I had begun exploring while studying and tutoring during my Honours degree.”

The open nature of the MScSoc allowed Grace to take courses across a range of topics, which appealed to her desire to continue learning broadly.

“I had always known I wanted to return to study but didn’t feel ready to dive into a single Master’s thesis topic, as there were so many subjects I still wanted to explore. The coursework aspect appealed to me, as I enjoy learning about a variety of things. The programme also brought in guest lecturers who offered insights across a range of disciplines.”

In addition to her coursework, Grace spent time tutoring undergraduate maths and space science students. “I like that tutoring allowed me to help make maths and science accessible and fun,” she says.

“Ultimately, I would love to have an impact on the way maths is perceived by New Zealanders. I think that currently a lot of kids and adults do not enjoy maths, so it would be cool if I could shift the narrative on this and make maths something people have fun with and feel confident doing.”

How people perceive and engage with mathematics became the focus of her research essay. She also worked to make maths more engaging through a science communication project creating educational maths videos.

“The great thing about the MScSoc is that I am able to explore a huge range of topics and find something that fits with my other research interests.”