Dr Heather Kavan staff profile picture

Contact details +6469516969

Dr Heather Kavan

Senior Lecturer

Doctoral Supervisor
Massey Business School - Deputy PVC's Office

I’m fascinated by the rhythms and connotations of words and the impact they have. Consequently, I teach courses in communication and journalism, primarily law and speech writing.

My aim is to create a haven for students with helpful and engaging information that will empower them to feel a sense of accomplishment. 

On the research front, I spend every spare moment researching religion, spirituality, and transcendence. I'm the 'go to' person for information on religious groups and unconventional manifestations of spirituality, and I help film makers, lawyers, scholars, and ordinary people who need specialist information in these areas.

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: 06 3569099 ext 83969
    Location: B 1.02, Business Studies Central
    Campus: Turitea

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Religion and spirituality

Altered states of consciousness

Joan of Arc

Speech writing and rhetoric

Thematics

21st Century Citizenship

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Languages, Communication And Culture (200000):
Philosophy And Religious Studies (220000): Religion and Religious Studies (220400)

Keywords

Speech Writing

Religion

Spirituality

Joan of Arc

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 0 1

Research Outputs

Journal

Kavan, H. (2022). Review: Falun Gong: Spiritual Warfare and Martyrdom, by James R. Lewis. Nova Religio: journal of alternative and emergent religions. 25(4), 122-123Retreived from https://online.ucpress.edu/nr/article/25/4/122/168653/Review-Falun-Gong-Spiritual-Warfare-and-Martyrdom
[Book Review]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Macpherson, WG., Lockhart, JC., Kavan, H., & Iaquinto, AL. (2018). Kaizen in Japan: transferring knowledge in the workplace. Journal of Business Strategy. 39(3), 40-45
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H., Lockhart, J., Macpherson, W.
Kavan, H. (2017). Introduction to special issue on Falun Gong and the media. Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review. 8(2), 185-187 Retrieved from https://www.pdcnet.org/collection-anonymous/browse?fp=asrr&fq=asrr/Year/6983%7C2017/
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2017). Friendly fire: How Falun Gong mistook me for an enemy. Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review. 8(2), 249-261
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2017). Victims, martyrs, crusaders: Archetypal figures in news stories about Falun Gong. Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review. 8(2), 273-296 Retrieved from https://www.pdcnet.org/asrr/content/asrr_2017_0008_0002_0273_0296
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2017). Zorba the Buddha: Sex, spirituality, and capitalism in the global Osho Movement. Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions. 21(1), 125-127
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2016). Review: New age spirituality: Rethinking religion. Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions. 19(3), 134-136
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Macpherson, WG., Lockhart, JC., Kavan, H., & Iaquinto, AL. (2015). Kaizen: a Japanese philosophy and system for business excellence. Journal of Business Strategy. 36(5), 3-9
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H., Lockhart, J., Macpherson, W.
Macpherson, WG., Lockhart, JC., Kavan, H., & Iaquinto, AL. (2015). An examination of kaizen drift in Japanese genba. Kindai Management Review. 3, 63-74
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H., Lockhart, J., Macpherson, W.
Kavan, H. (2013). Joan of Arc in new age spirituality. Relegere: Studies in Religion and Reception. 3(2), 285-305 Retrieved from https://relegere.org/relegere/article/view/581
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2013). A psychodynamic interpretation of gender differences in descriptions of religious visions. The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society. 2(2), 77-88 Retrieved from http://heatherkavan.cgpublisher.com/product/pub.200/prod.102
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2013). Summoning the spirits: possession and invocation in contemporary religion. JOURNAL OF MULTILINGUAL AND MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT. 34(5), 500-501
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Vaccarino, F., Kavan, H., & Gendall, P. (2011). Spirituality and religion in the lives of New Zealanders. The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society. 1(2), 85-96 Retrieved from http://www.comongroundpublishing.com/
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2010). You can get there from here: The highs and lows of writing a thesis. Vital Speeches of the Day - The Best of the 2010 Cicero Speechwriting Awards. , 47-50 Retrieved from http://www.cicerospeechwritingawards.com/media/misc/Cicero_2010winners.1.pdf
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Jenkins, WV., & Kavan, H. (2009). Sermon responses and preferences in Pentecostal and Mainline churches. Journal of Empirical Theology. 22, 142-161
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H., & Burne, J. (2009). Using film to teach communication concepts at university. International Journal of Learning. 16(10), 429-440
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). Using film as a resource for teaching speech writing. Good Practice Publication Grant e-book. 0, 1-4
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). Exposing both minefields and muddles. Pacific Journalism Review. 14(2), 227-229
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). Review of 'Words that work'. Pacific Journalism Review. 14(1), 235-237
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2007). Review of Management Communication: New Zealand and Australian case studies. Communication Journal of New Zealand. 8(2), 65-66
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2007). The Korean exorcist meets the New Zealand justice system. Aotearoa Ethnic Network Journal. 2(2), 53-58 Retrieved from http://www.wairua.com/
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2006). Corporate soul: The monk within the manager. Women in Management Review. 21(3), 260-262 Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1546029
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2005). Behind closed doors [Untitled]. Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought and Practice. 13(1), 43-44
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2005). Compassionate Capitalism: How Corporations Can Make Doing Good an Integral Part of Doing Well. Women in Management Review. 20(3), 208-210
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). Difference Matters: Communicating Social Identity. Women in Management Review. 19(3), 178-179
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). Glossolalia and altered states of consciousness in two New Zealand religious movements. Journal of Contemporary Religion. 19(2), 171-184
[Journal article]Authored by: Kavan, H.

Book

Kavan, H., Boys, RM., Pattabiraman, N., & Slade, C. (2023). What Doctoral students would like supervisors to know.. In M. Doolan, & L. Ritchie (Eds.) Leading Global Excellence in Pedagogy: Reshaping Teaching: The Pandemic and the New Now. (pp. 132 - 144). United Kingdom: IFNTTF Publishing
[Chapter]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2019). Friendly Fire: How Falun Gong mistook me for an enemy. In JR. Lewis, & H. Chao (Eds.) Enlightened Martyrdom: The Hidden Side of Falun Gong. (pp. 213 - 229). Sheffield, South Yorkshire and Bristol, Connecticut: Equinox
[Chapter]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2013). Spiritual channeling: An ethnographic account. In CM. Moreman (Ed.) The spiritualist movement: Speaking with the dead in America and around the world. (pp. 111 - 124). United States: Praeger an imprint of ABC-CLIO
[Chapter]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H., & Samson, AM. (2005). Successful writing. In F. Sligo, & R. Bathurst (Eds.) Communication in the New Zealand Workplace: Theory and Practice. (pp. 245 - 256). Wellington, NZ: Software Technology New Zealand
[Chapter]Authored by: Kavan, H.

Conference

Mansvelt, J., & Kavan, H. (2021, June). Sparky Geography meets Soaring Speech Writing. Keynote Address. Presented at Shaping Teaching Excellence Across Disciplines, International Federation of National Teaching Fellows in association with Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Unconference. Virtual.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H., Mansvelt, J.
Kavan, H. (2019, July). The strange tale of the Sujiatun organ thefts that spawned an academic scandal.. Presented at World Communication Association Conference. Wellington, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2017, July). Group think in the exorcism of Janet Moses. Presented at Spirit Possession: Global and Multi-disciplinary Perspectives. Auckland, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Macpherson, WG., Lockhart, JC., Kavan, H., & Iaquinto, AL. (2016, December). The transference of Kaizen across generations in the Japanese workplace. Presented at 11th International Conference on Business, Economics, Social Science & Humanities. Osaka, Japan.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H., Lockhart, J., Macpherson, W.
Kavan, H.Spiritually gifted children. . Massey University, Palmerston North
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). Falun Gong in the media: What can we believe?. Power and Place: Refereed Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Communication Association Conference. (pp. 1 - 23).
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H.(2005). Dangerous organisations or dangerous situations? Comparing Aum Shinrikyo and Falun Gong.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2005, February). The yellow banner and the lotus: Falun Gong women in exile. Presented at Carol Christ Research Symposium. Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2005). Print media coverage of Falun Gong in Australia and New Zealand. In PH. Ed (Ed.) Trans-Tasman Research Symposium: Emerging Research in Media, Religion and Culture. (pp. 74 - 85). Melbourne, VIC
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2005, August). Dangerous organisations or dangerous situations? Comparing Aum Shinrikyo and Falun Gong. Presented at National Counter-Terrorism Capability Seminar. Wellington, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H.(2005). The yellow banner and the lotus: Falun Gong women in exile. . Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H., & Houston, B. (2005, July). Twilight of the press: The media's coverage of Falun Gong in Australia and New Zealand. Presented at Research Symposium: Emerging Research in Media, Religion and Culture. State Library of Victoria Conference Centre, Melbourne, VIC.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H.(2004). Breathing subversively: Inside Falun Gong.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H.(2004). When power comes through the barrel of a pen: Falun Gong, the Chinese Government and the media.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). We don't know what we're saying, but it's profound: The language and social contexts of glossolalia. In J. Holmes, M. Maclagan, P. Kerswill, & MP-S. Eds (Eds.) New Zealand Linguistic Society Language and Society Conference: ''Researching Language Use and Language Users''. (pp. 64 - 80). Wellington, NZ
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004, September). We don't know what we're saying, but it's profound: The language and social contexts of glossolalia. Presented at New Zealand Linguistic Society Language and Society Conference. Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004, July). When power comes from the barrel of a pen: Falun Gong, the Chinese government and the media. Presented at Australian Association for the Study of Religion and Affinity Intercultural Organisation. University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004, December). Breathing subversively: Inside Falun Gong. Presented at New Zealand Association for the Study of Religion Conference. Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H., & Wilkinson, L. (2003). Dialogues with dragons: Assisting Chinese students' academic achievement. In V. Young, & MB. Eds (Eds.) Association of Tertiary Learning Advisors of Aotearoa New Zealand (ATLAANZ) Conference 2003 Proceedings: Learning Talk. Vol. 8 (pp. 119 - 131). Hamilton, NZ
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H.(2002). Golden light purification: An ethnographic account of an apocalyptic group.
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2002, December). Golden light purification: An ethnographic account of an apocalyptic group. Presented at New Zealand Association for the Study of Religions Conference: What is Religion for? Perspectives from Asia and the Pacific. Victoria University, Wellington, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.

Other

Kavan, H. (2021). A Story of Teaching and Learning Circles. (pp. 5 - 6).
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2020, September). Seven unconventional faith responses to Covid 19. In Public. Presented at Zoom live broadcast on Youtube.. : Religious Diversity Centre.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2015, November). Secrets of charisma. Keynote speech at Toastmasters national convention. Presented at Marlborough Convention Centre, Blenheim.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2013). Book review: Destiny: The life and times of a self-made apostle. (pp. 41 - 41). Massey University
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2013). Foreword to "Sophia geography: Exploring spirituality, landscapes and Archetypes". (pp. i - ii). Harpagornis Publishing
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2012, October). 12 secrets of cult leaders. In Lecture as part of the Ronnie Van Hout: I've Seen Things Exhibition, Dowse Art Museum, Wellington, New Zealand.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2012, October). Joan of Arc in New Age spirituality. In The University of the Third Age [U3A Wellington City], Wellington, New Zealand.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2012, March). The seduction techniques of cult leaders.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2010). Supernatural forces at work. (pp. 1 - 1). Manawatu Standard
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2010). Maori spirituality catching among New Zealanders. (pp. 1 - 1). Radio Waatea
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2009). Exorcism death trial explored. Television New Zealand Limited
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2009, November). The art of the specialist presentation. In New Zealand Postgraduate Conference - Presentations with Impact. Presented at Wellington, New Zealand.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2009). The Moses manslaughter: an example of collective entrapment?. Presented at Massey University, Wellington, NZ.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2009). Lush speechwriter analyses Barack Obama's inauguration speech. Radio LIVE
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2009). Inauguration speech will go down in history. Fairfax New Zealand
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). Parts of speech. (pp. 2 - 3). Massey University
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). Inner circle. (pp. 7 - 7). Fairfax New Zealand
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2008). What would Einstein do?. Presented at Massey University Manawatu, NZ.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2007, October). A guru at my table: Researching cults in New Zealand. In University of the Third Age Lecture. Presented at Wellington, NZ.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2006, November). Researching cults. In 2006 Human Ethics Committee Workshop. Presented at Massey University, Palmerston North, NZ.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2006). Inside cults: Field notes from the edge. Presented at Massey University, Wellington, NZ.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). Altered states and violence 2. University of Waikato, Extreme Religion Course
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). Altered states and violence 1. University of Waikato, Extreme Religion Course
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). Persuasion and charismatic leadership 2. University of Waikato, Extreme Religion Course
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.
Kavan, H. (2004). Persuasion and charismatic leadership 1. University of Waikato, Extreme Religion Course
[Other]Authored by: Kavan, H.

Teaching and Supervision

Teaching Statement

Teaching and Speech Writing Awards

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2008
National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award for Sustained Excellence, 2009
Cicero Speechwriting Award (education category), 2010

Fellowship

Vice President, New Zealand. International Federation of National Teaching Fellows (IFNTF)

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 0 2

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2013 - Wayne MacPherson - Doctor of Business and Administration
    An examination of Kaizen drift in Japanese genba: Implications for business in the anglosphere
  • 2013 - Judith Bernanke - Doctor of Philosophy
    Interfield antagonisms: An examination of the New Zealand journalistic and visual arts fields in the case of the mainstream media coverage of et al. and the 2005 Venice Biennale.

Media and Links

Media

  • 27 Jan 2015 - Online
    Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Self Immolations
    Interviewed for article on the Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Self Immolations. Chinese media outlet 'Facts.org.cn'.
  • 25 Jul 2015 - Other
    "Belief: The possession of Janet Moses"
    Interviewee in documentary/drama telling the story of Janet Moses who died by an exorcism.
  • 25 Jan 2015 - Newspaper, Online
    Cross-fit
    Interview for Sunday Star Times’ Sunday Magazine: a feature entitled "CrossFit – cult or community".
  • 21 Nov 2013 - Radio
    Profile interviews
    Profile interview on my research Radio NZ; interview on seduction techniques of cult leaders Coffee and Aspirin, Radio Active.
  • 21 Jul 2014 - Newspaper
    Los Angeles Daily News
    Quoted in “Why China fears the Falun Gong” by James Griffiths.
  • 13 Jul 2013 - Newspaper, Online
    Gloriavale
    Interviewed for Sunday Star Times’ Sunday Magazine: a feature article on the Gloriavale community
  • 02 Dec 2012 - Newspaper, Radio, Online, Television, Magazine
    Quote of the Year
    Annual radio and print media interviews for the Massey University Quote of the Year competition. Generates public discussion on social issues and memorable rhetoric.