This week, AUT University celebrates its Summer Graduation being held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday December 15, 16 and 17, at the Aotea Centre, in Auckland Central.

Around 3,800 graduands will be capped, including 20 doctorate recipients.

The new doctors' diverse research topics range from: examining causes behind weight gain in primary age children; through to the strained relationship between the media and military during the Iraq war; and perceptions of accountants. They are:

Geoff Kira The issue and causes of excessive weight gain in primary school age children.

Tarek Cherkaoui The strained relationship between media and military during the Iraq War, the tense rivalry between Al-Jazeera and CNNI, and the workings of sophisticated military propaganda and its direct impact on media coverage.

Paul Wells The perceptions of accounting and accountants and how and why these perceptions were formed. Existing research indicates very negative perceptions that are inaccurate and difficult to change.

Jennifer Coker Biomechanical measurement of sculling force profiles and how the PowerLine' boat instrumentation system could be used effectively to measure and improve elite sculling performance. Jennifer is now employed with Rowing New Zealand based on the success of her thesis work.

Simon Pearson Understanding of the task of grinding to improve performance in America's Cup sailing.

David Nguyen Viet Lam Purchase behaviour of internet visitors to online retailers who have no existing reputation.

Doug King The factors related to rugby league injuries, including related costs related, the tackle, player perception on returning to match and training activities, and the first aid and concussion awareness of team management.

Rachael Ka'ai-Mahuta Waiata and haka as commentaries and archives of Māori political history.

Tom Vandenbogaerde The effects of acute nutritional interventions, such as supplementation, on athletic performance and recovery from exercise.

Jason Smith Policy, practice and place in New Zealand's creative economy, 1999 to 2008. The research was drawn from interviews with some of the country's leading creative entrepreneurs.

Asmita Patel The effectiveness of the Green Prescription for older New Zealanders. A Green Prescription is a programme designed to increase physical activity of individuals who are low-active, sedentary and/or have a stable lifestyle-related medical condition.

Adam Taylor The identity of high-achieving IT professionals at work and value placed on highly skilled, expert labour in the new economy.

Grant Mawston How changes in posture and fatigue resulting from repetitive lifting influenced muscular and postural responses.

Hishamuddin Mohd Hashim The international negotiation styles and competency focussing on Malaysian diplomats.

Dean Mahuta Facets of the Waikato identity linked to the Waikato River which provide unique insights into Maori identity at a tribal level. His doctoral thesis was written in Maori.

Lynette Reid How cultural values influence career processes for Maori and a new typology of cultural career identities.

Frances Laneyrie The historical relationships between a trade union and a feminist organisation at critical moments in the emergence of a new form of feminist activism in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia in 1975-1980.

Ann Paddy What it means to be an older experienced health professional.

Tina Darkins The issues confronting non- profit community organisations delivering health and social services in Tai Tokerau (Northland), New Zealand.

Anne Grey The process where early childhood teachers reviewed their teaching practice in early childhood education.

Notes for Editors:

The AUT 2010 Summer Graduation:

Wednesday, December 15, Aotea Centre 9.30am - assemble in Albert Park, Princes Street, Auckland Central 10.00am - procession route is Princes Street, Bowen Ave, Victoria Street East and up Queen Street to the Aotea Centre 11.00am - Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences part I 2.00pm - Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences part II

Thursday, December 16, Aotea Centre 9.30am - assemble in Albert Park, Princes Street, Auckland Central 10.00am - procession route is Princes Street, Bowen Ave, Victoria Street East and up Queen Street to the Aotea Centre 11.00am - Faculty of Business and Law 2.00pm - Faculty of Applied Humanities and Te Ara Poutama

Friday, December 17, Aotea Centre 9.30am - assemble in Albert Park, Princes Street, Auckland Central 10.00am - procession route is Princes Street, Bowen Ave, Victoria Street East and up Queen Street to the Aotea Centre 11.00am - Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies part I 2.00pm - Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies part II

For more information on the AUT 2010 Summer Graduation please visit: http://www.aut.ac.nz/being-a-student/current-postgraduates/graduation/graduation-dates