Partnering for Progress: How an AUT Academic is Supporting Disability Policy
When you hear the word consulting, it might sound intimidating, often associated with high-stakes advice and executive level boardrooms. But consulting doesn’t have to be daunting, exclusive to corporate firms, or reserved for a certain type of person. Just ask Dr Sally Britnell, a senior AUT academic whose consulting journey shows it can be small-scale and purpose-driven, especially when it’s focused on creating real change in Aotearoa New Zealand.
How It Started
Dr Britnell brings a rare blend of expertise in both health and technology. As a clinician, educator, patient, and researcher with a PhD in computer science, she also serves on the Board of Health Informatics NZ. In early 2025, she took on a consulting role with Whaikaha – the Ministry of Disabled People – contributing to the development of the 2026–2030 New Zealand Disability Strategy (NZDS).
Sally's path into consulting was driven by deep frustration, after years of watching systems repeatedly fail disabled people. That includes her own experience as someone who is Deafblind – a combination of hearing and vision impairment that can limit communication and access. “I knew I needed to be in the rooms where decisions were being made – as someone who understands the system from the inside but also knows what it feels like to be excluded by it”, she says.
Consulting as an Extension of Academic Work
For Dr Britnell, consulting is not a departure from her academic role; it's an extension of it. As a Senior Lecturer in Nursing, she stays closely connected to real-world healthcare, grounding her consulting engagements in evidence and lived experience. Rather than pulling her away from research and teaching, consulting has enriched them.
That mindset has helped Sally build meaningful connections across the health and disability sectors, creating opportunities and amplifying her impact.
Building Bridges in the Health Sector
Engaging in consulting work has amplified Dr Britnell’s presence and mana in the health and disability sectors. Her relationship with the Data Lead at Whaikaha has already led to co-authored research on Deafblindness and informed her ongoing studies. She’s since been invited to advise Te Whatu Ora on digital health innovation, and most recently, to meet the Minister for Disability Issues to discuss her role on the NZDS Health Working Group.
Each of these opportunities demonstrates the ripple effect of trusted, values-aligned engagement.
Lived Experience as System Expertise
Dr Britnell’s unique perspective and lived experience isn’t just a personal backstory; it’s a vital form of system-level insight that gives her consulting work an edge. She's had to navigate services not designed with people like her in mind, constantly explain her needs, and advocate for access that should already exist. Rather than deterring her, those challenges sharpened her focus and strengthened her resolve to drive meaningful change.
As Associate Dean (Research) Nicola Kayes reflects, “What I love about Sally is how she brings together her lived experience and academic expertise in such a genuine way.” She notes that this unique combination is especially powerful when grounded in partnership and a deep commitment to inclusion, qualities that define Sally’s work across policy, research, and community spaces.
A Message to Future Consultants
For anyone wondering if they’re ready to consult, Sally has a clear message: start small. You don’t need all the answers – just a willingness to learn, speak the language of policy, and above all, know that you belong in these spaces. Her journey shows what is possible when people are empowered to shape the systems that impact their lives. As she puts it, “That is how we move from tokenism to transformation.”
Sally’s story is just one example of how consulting can align with your expertise, values, and career, no matter the size of the job. As AUT Ventures’ Contracts Manager Tom Davidson notes, the numbers tell the story:
In 2024/25, a third of consulting jobs tracked were worth less than $1,000, with a median value of $5,100 and an average of $11,155.
One standout is mechanical engineer Dr Yuan Tao, who has completed one of the highest numbers of smaller consulting jobs, proving that consistent, lower-value work can still add up to meaningful contributions over time.
Every step counts and as Sally’s story shows, the ripple effect can be transformative. If you’re ready to take your first step, Tom Davidson at AUT Ventures is happy to guide you.
Contact Tom Davidson, Contracts Manager at AUT Ventures: tom.davidson@aut.ac.nz