Jen Smith (Ngāti Whātua) is a lecturer in Māori education at UC. She is a former primary school teacher. Her main research interest is centred around her doctoral study of the creation of culturally safe schools for Māori teachers as well as giving cultural tools to create exception educational environments for all. Her other research topics include socio cultural approach to education, inclusive cultural pedagogy and culturally responsive and competent approaches to teaching and learning for diverse learners.