Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera | Neurodiversity | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera | Neurodiversity | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera | University of Auckland | New Zealand

Dr. Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera is a Research Fellow at Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Waipapa Taumata Rau – The University of Auckland, whose research bridges Indigenous health, migrant health, and neurodiversity. Her work centers on addressing inequities faced by neurodivergent migrant populations through culturally grounded frameworks. Drawing on the Ubuntu philosophy, she has examined the lived experiences of autistic and neurodivergent Indigenous African migrants in Aotearoa, integrating Indigenous African values with recognition of tāngata whenua. Dr. Tapera contributes to projects exploring Māori, Pacific, and international Indigenous perspectives on autism and disability, advancing health equity and inclusion within Aotearoa’s health and disability sectors. Her research also extends to digital health access among neurodivergent women from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the intersection of technology, culture, and wellbeing. With six years of research experience, she has produced impactful scholarship reflected in 67 citations, an h-index of 3, and an i10-index of 2. Dr. Tapera’s achievements include recognition for outstanding academic poster presentations at major university and international conferences, underscoring her commitment to Indigenous methodologies, culturally responsive research, and the pursuit of equitable health outcomes for neurodivergent individuals across diverse communities.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Orcid | linked In

Featured Publications

Tapera, R., Harwood, M., & Anderson, A. (2017). A qualitative Kaupapa Māori approach to understanding infant and young child feeding practices of Māori and Pacific grandparents in Auckland, New Zealand. Public Health Nutrition, 20(6), 1090–1098.

Wright, K., Tapera, R. M., Stott, N. S., Sorhage, A., Mackey, A., & Williams, S. A. (2022). Indigenous health equity in health register ascertainment and data quality: A narrative review. International Journal for Equity in Health, 21(1), 34.

Wright, K., Dehar, A., Stott, N. S., Mackey, A., Sorhage, A., Tapera, R., & Williams, S. A. (2022). Prioritizing indigenous health equity in health registers: An environmental scan of strategies for equitable ascertainment and quality data. Global Health Research and Policy, 7(1), 24.

Tapera, R. M. (2014). Infant feeding practices of grandparents [Master’s thesis, University of Auckland]. University of Auckland Research Repository, ResearchSpace.

Tapera, R. M. (2022). The social effects of neurodiversity amongst Indigenous African migrants in Aotearoa, New Zealand [Doctoral thesis, University of Auckland]. University of Auckland Research Repository, ResearchSpace.

Ali Nouri | Neuroscience & Education | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Nouri | Neuroscience & Education | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Nouri Malayer, University, Iran.

Dr. Ali Nouri is an accomplished Associate Professor at Malayer University with a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and postdoctoral training in cognitive science from Lund University. His academic and research journey bridges the fields of curriculum studies and educational neuroscience, focusing on the neurocognitive foundations of learning, instructional design, and educational neurotechnology. With over 50 published journal articles, one major book, and leadership in more than 17 research projects at various levels, Dr. Nouri has played a pivotal role in shaping the emerging field of Educational Neuroscience. He is also the director of a Cognitive Science Laboratory, serves on editorial boards of leading journals, and actively participates in global academic collaborations. His research is highly cited, and he is a recognized figure in both national and international academic communities.

Profile

Google Scholar

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Ali Nouri began his academic journey with a deep curiosity about how humans learn and how education systems can be enhanced through scientific insight. He pursued his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the prestigious Tarbiat Modares University in 2012, laying a strong theoretical foundation in curriculum studies. His passion for integrating brain science into education led him to undertake a sabbatical training in Cognitive Science at Lund University, Sweden—a formative experience that expanded his expertise into interdisciplinary domains, combining educational theory with neuroscience.

👨‍🏫 Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as an Associate Professor at Malayer University, Dr. Nouri is a committed educator and researcher in the Educational Sciences Department. His professional path includes teaching engagements at the Institute for Cognitive Studies and leadership roles such as directing the Neuroeducation Studies Special Interest Group (SIG) under the Iranian Curriculum Studies Association. His work embodies a hybrid identity—as both a curriculum theorist and a neuroscientist—bridging pedagogical design and neural science.

🧠 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Nouri’s research centers on the neurocognitive foundations of learning, the neuroscientific underpinnings of curriculum, and instructional design. With a visionary approach, he integrates neurotechnology, particularly AI-supported educational tools, into learning environments. Through his work, he seeks to revolutionize how learning is conceptualized and delivered by translating neuroscience insights into practical curriculum strategies. His significant contributions have helped solidify Educational Neuroscience as a legitimate field of academic inquiry and application.

📚 Research Projects and Scholarly Output

Dr. Nouri has successfully led 3 international, 4 national, and 10 institutional-level research projects, highlighting his consistent engagement with innovation and development in neuroeducation. His scholarly record includes over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, contributions to book publications, and numerous conference papers. His co-authored book, Crossing Mind, Brain, and Education Boundaries (ISBN: 978-1-5275-9075-5), underscores his interdisciplinary outlook. His Google Scholar citation index of 723 and Scopus citations of 78 further reflect the reach and credibility of his academic work.

🧪 Innovation, Collaboration, and Editorial Leadership

In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Nouri has provided consultancy on 8 industry-related projects, underscoring the practical impact of his work. He is also the Principal Investigator and Director of the Cognitive Science Laboratory, fostering collaborative inquiry into educational technologies and brain research. He serves on the editorial boards of leading journals like Dialogic Pedagogy and IJCRSEE, and actively participates in academic discourse through more than 10 international conferences. His affiliations with global bodies like the American Educational Research Association and various national groups reflect his active engagement with the global academic community.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Although Dr. Nouri’s contributions are more reflected in impact than in awards, his roles as a research leader, keynote speaker, and academic collaborator have earned him wide respect within scholarly circles. His ability to cross disciplinary boundaries, innovate teaching strategies, and publish rigorously in reputable outlets places him among the leading voices shaping the field of neuroeducation today.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Nouri’s academic journey is far from over. His commitment to expanding the field of educational neurotechnology—including AI and brain-computer interfaces—promises transformative contributions in years to come. As an educator, researcher, and leader, he is poised to further influence the integration of neuroscience into classroom practice, teacher training, and policy formation. His legacy is likely to be defined by his pioneering work in constructing neuroeducational methodologies, empowering future scholars and practitioners to build a scientifically grounded and cognitively responsive educational system.

Publication

  • Emancipatory Pedagogy in Practice: Aims, Principles and Curriculum Orientation
    A. Nouri, S.M. Sajjadi2014

 

  • Defining the Boundaries for Neuroeducation as a Field of Study
    A. Nouri, M. Mehrmohammadi2012

 

  • The Basic Principles of Research in Neuroeducation Studies
    A. Nouri2016

 

  • Making Neuroscience a Priority in Initial Teacher Education Curricula: A Call for Bridging the Gap Between Research and Future Practices in the Classroom
    A. Sortwell, E. Gkintoni, S. Zagarella, U. Granacher, P. Forte, R. Ferraz, …2023

 

  • Expectations of Institutionalized Elderly from Their Children
    A. Nouri, S. Farsi2018

 

  • Evaluating What Mind, Brain and Education Has Taught Us
    T. Tokuhama-Espinosa, A. Nouri2020

 

  • Foundations of Cognitive Education: Issues and Opportunities
    M. Talkhabi, A. Nouri2012

 

  • An Adaptable, Open-Access Test Battery to Study the Fractionation of Executive-Functions in Diverse Populations
    G.A.V. Zanini, M.C. Miranda, H. Cogo-Moreira, A. Nouri, A.L. Fernández, …2021

 

  • Practical Strategies for Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Neuroeducational Studies
    A. Nouri2013

 

  • Dialogic Learning: A Social Cognitive Neuroscience View
    A. Nouri2014

 

🧾 Conclusion

Dr. Nouri exemplifies interdisciplinary excellence, combining deep theoretical expertise in curriculum development with cutting-edge insights from cognitive neuroscience. His pioneering work has helped define Educational Neuroscience as both an academic field and a practical discipline. Through ongoing research, leadership, and collaboration, he continues to influence the future of education by integrating brain-based strategies and neurotechnology into learning environments. His legacy is marked by innovation, scholarly rigor, and a visionary commitment to transforming education through science.