Varun’s educational background is firmly rooted in business and management. He’s recently passed his viva for a PhD in Management from the University of Auckland, which he pursued from 2017 to 2024. Prior to this, he completed a Master of Commerce in Marketing (2010-2011), Honours in Marketing (2008-2009), and a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Management (2004-2007), all from the University of Auckland.
His industry experience is quite diverse, spanning several sectors. He’s worked in building management at Alpha Apartments, engaged in social entrepreneurship through ventures like Kai Kai, BioDymaxion, and Caring4Whānau, and has been involved in sustainable living and regenerative farming with Nested Living Ltd. and Regenma since 2011. Earlier in his career, he gained experience in corporate sales with Southern Cross Healthcare and in corporate partnerships with IAG Insurance.
Varun’s research areas are multifaceted, focusing on cross-scale resilience in food systems, sustainable consumption and production, and climate change management in the dairy sector. He's particularly interested in organisational institutionalism, systems thinking, and complexity-based approaches in management. Community resilience, social innovation, and AI-enhanced pedagogical methods in education are also key areas of his research.
As an educator, his goal for each learner's journey is to inspire critical thinking and challenge conventional boundaries in business practices. Varun strives to foster an understanding of sustainable and innovative organisational practices, encouraging the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges. He aims to promote a holistic understanding of business that integrates environmental and social sustainability, and to develop learners' abilities to adapt to future work environments and engage in lifelong learning.
Varun has a strong commitment to community engagement and social innovation, as evidenced by his involvement in various social enterprises and community projects. Beyond this, he’s passionate about yoga and has been teaching at the Auckland Yoga Academy since February 2024. He’s a qualified yoga instructor with an RYT500 certification and is registered with the Yoga Alliance. This practice not only contributes to Varun’s personal wellbeing but also allows him to share the benefits of mindfulness and physical wellness with others in the community.
Additionally, Varun has a keen interest in Generative AI and its potential applications, particularly in the field of education. He’s fascinated by how AI can enhance educational pedagogy and improve learning outcomes. This interest aligns closely with his academic work, where he’s been exploring AI-enhanced pedagogical methods. Varun believes that the integration of AI in education has the potential to personalise learning experiences, provide real-time feedback, and create more engaging and interactive learning environments. This intersection of technology and education is an area where he sees immense potential for innovation and positive impact on learners' experiences and outcomes.
Varun is deeply committed to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and cultural sensitivity in his work. His ability to work across diverse cultural contexts is demonstrated by his international research and teaching experience. Above all, Varun is dedicated to addressing urgent global challenges, such as climate change and community resilience, through his work and research.
