Te Wānanga o Waipapa | School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies

The Project

Over the last five decades, the landscape of pornography as a medium, and the way that pornography is researched and discussed, have shifted. However, there has been little to no research on this shift in Pacific and Indigenous communities in New Zealand. This project has the potential to lift the lid on the suppression of this sensitive topic and allow for these courageous conversations to take place in Pacific and Indigenous families and communities. The majority of young and older Pacific people feel fakamā to talk freely about what takes place in the digital world. Although pornography is rarely addressed in school programmes in New Zealand, and Pacific families, churches and communities often avoid questions about it, it is more likely that Pacific young people use pornography to learn about sex. Thus, it is hoped that addressing this topic in the present time will allow Pacific communities to prepare to tackle any problems in the future.

Scholar’s Work: The student’s work would potentially contribute to two components of this project, depending on their skills and interests. First, the student would develop a database of Pacific and global Indigenous research on porn and sex addiction. Second, the student would support the research team in their data collection through reviewing key Pacific literature and, as necessary, archival research. Third, the student would support the research with the transcribing of interviews. In any case, the student would write a reflective and analytical essay (2,000 words) toward the end of their tenure based on the research focus.

Required Skills/Pre-requisites: This project is well suited to students with undergraduate/postgraduate experience with research and/or literature reviews. Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, initiative, and strong time management skills are essential; excellent organizational skills and previous online research experience are preferred. Students with ties/commitments to Indigenous communities are especially welcome. The project team uses Endnote for bibliographic management, Dropbox for collaboration, and NVivo for some of the qualitative analysis. Any experience with these would be welcome, but the successful candidate should be open to training.

Benefits to the Scholar: This project will benefit the scholar in a number of ways. First, this project will foster critical thinking and analytical skills. Second, the scholar will learn more about the field of research and discover a passion for it. Third, the scholar will get an opportunity to work, learn and collaborate with other scholars. Fourth, the scholar will be able to give back to communities through publications from this project. The scholar will also benefit through engaging in qualitative research, developing research data and time management skills, and gaining experience with preliminary analysis and targeted research writing that will provide a strong foundation for initial or continued postgraduate study.

Expectations: I expect that the scholar will be an interested learner, strong in self-management and initiative, and will be a strong contributor as a research team member. Some flexibility in working on-site and off-site can be considered, alongside regular supervision once a clear track record of successful work execution has been established.

Project

This ground-breaking research has significant potential to realise social gains and reduce mental health and wellbeing inequities for Pacific peoples in New Zealand and, to some extent, the Pacific region. This includes developing and framing new knowledge on understandings of digital wellbeing and creating resources and strategies to support Pacific people who may have digital addiction, more specifically around online gaming and gambling and social media addiction. To that point, the digital health and wellbeing sector needs to be ready to serve these Pacific futures, including developing a better understanding and providing strategies to strengthen digital wellbeing and minimise the digital harm experienced by Pacific families and communities in New Zealand.

Scholar’s Work: The student’s work would potentially contribute into two components of this project, depending on their skills and interests. First, the student would develop a database of Pacific and global Indigenous research on digital addiction, more specifically around online gaming and gambling and social media addiction. Second, the student would support the research team in their data collection through reviewing key Pacific literature and, as necessary, archival research. Third, the student would support the research with the transcribing of interviews. In any case, the student would write a reflective and analytical essay (2,000 words) toward the end of their tenure based on the research focus.

Required Skills/Pre-requisites: This project is well suited to students with undergraduate/postgraduate experience with research and/or literature reviews. Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, initiative, and strong time management skills are essential; excellent organizational skills and previous online research experience are preferred. Students with ties/commitments to Indigenous communities are especially welcome. The project team uses Endnote for bibliographic management, Dropbox for collaboration, and NVivo for some of the qualitative analysis. Any experience with these would be welcome, but the successful candidate should be open to training.

Benefits to the Scholar: This project will benefit the scholar in a number of ways. First, this project will foster critical thinking and analytical skills. Second, the scholar will learn more about the field of research and discover a passion for it. Third, the scholar will get an opportunity to work, learn and collaborate with other scholars. Fourth, the scholar will be able to give back to communities through publications from this project. The scholar will also benefit through engaging in qualitative research, developing research data and time management skills, and gaining experience with preliminary analysis and targeted research writing that will provide a strong foundation for initial or continued postgraduate study.

Expectations: I expect that the scholar will be an interested learner, strong in self-management and initiative, and will be a strong contributor as a research team member. Some flexibility in working on-site and off-site can be considered alongside regular supervision once a clear track record of successful work execution has been established.

Project

This project will be a close historical analysis of the confidential reports between the New Zealand (NZ) High Commissioner in Samoa and the Department of Island Territories/Minister of Island Territories in the lead up to the independence of Samoa in 1962. I have been fortunate to receive permission from the family of Sir Guy Powles to access these restricted files, which offer a unique and intriguing insight into the interactions between the NZ administration in Samoa, Samoan leadership, and the NZ government. They include the confidential reports of Lieutenant-Colonel F.W. Voelcker who was the NZ administrator in Samoa 1946-1949, and the reports of Sir Guy Powles as the High Commissioner 1949-1962. In these reports, major issues of contention between NZ and the Samoan leadership are described in detail, including discussion on universal suffrage, the nature of Samoan leadership, the proposed structure of government administration, and Samoa’s progress towards independence. Importantly, these reports also include legislative committee minutes, and scripts of speeches given by Samoan leaders, NZ politicians, and representatives of the UN. This project offers a unique glimpse into the history of preindependent Samoa and the cultural and political tensions that characterised the negotiations between NZ and Samoa.

Scholar’s Work on the Project: The scholar will analyse these primary sources and trace the discussion between NZ and Samoa, highlighting major themes over the period. They will focus on the key points of concern raised by NZ and the direction in policy from the NZ government to the NZ administration in Samoa. They will also focus on the voices of the Samoan leadership, highlighting the priorities of the Samoan people in this process and the difficulties and cultural misunderstandings inherent in a process that enforced the installation of a western-based system of governance. Due to the nature of the archive, not all reports between 1946-1962 are available, so the scholar will first undergo a stocktake and map interactions and documents included in the appendices to these reports. They will then do an initial analysis, highlighting key themes guided by the supervisor. The scholar will then conduct a detailed primary analysis of these reports focused on themes identified, writing up a final analysis that will contribute to the foundation of a research article on these documents in which the scholar will be listed as an author. The supervisor will guide the scholar on archival treatment/references and primary source analysis, as well as the importance of approaching Pacific history observant of the Pacific values of respect and relationality, understanding the connection between Pacific peoples and their histories. Additionally, the scholar and the supervisor may present their findings together as part of the forthcoming academic seminar series in Pacific Studies at the end of the project.

Required Skills/Pre-requisites: This project would be ideal for a student who is interested in pursuing further study in Pacific history, especially the history of Samoa or independence movements in the Pacific. Experience with primary source analysis or archives would be a benefit but are not a requirement. Students with connections to Māori, Indigenous or Pacific communities are especially welcome. This project requires a scholar who focuses on the details. The ideal candidate will have strong organisation and time management skills, with an ability to work independently and use their initiative. They should be open to working closely with the supervisor, especially in the first few weeks of the project, to develop methods of historical analysis and historical context for the primary sources. The student will have a desk at Pacific Studies for the duration of their appointment.

Benefits to Scholar: The scholar will gain expertise in analysing primary documents and handling archival material. They will get to focus on a small period of history leading up to a major historical event in the Pacific; not something that is usually possible for history students and a good indication of what is possible in postgraduate study. This research will also form the foundation for an article, with the student as coauthor. It is also anticipated that this project may be part of a seminar presented to Pacific Studies with the supervisor, giving the scholar exposure to academic practice in a safe, supportive environment. The scholar will also benefit from being part of a small and supportive academic department where they can spend time getting to know staff and postgraduate students. This experience will provide an opportunity to network with postgraduate students and explore the potential of future study.

Expectations: I expect the summer scholar to commit to the 10 weeks of this project and engage fully with me and the research material. I intend to spend time with them at the beginning of the project talking about process and developing analytical skills, and I expect them to engage with this process. I will spend time getting to know them to understand who they are and what their goals are academically and discuss with them what they expect from me as a supervisor. This may involve some wider discussion on history and historical processes, so they may be required to do some foundational reading and be willing to engage in discussion with me about key issues in Pacific history. Overall, commitment to the project and communication with the supervisor are the key expectations of the scholar.

Project (two students)

TOKSAVE is a specialist regional repository for research on gender in the Pacific. It was launched in 2021 and in 2022 it will move from its initial location at the ANU to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. This indicates how this repository have been recognised as a value regional resource. The aim of TOKSAVE is to ensure gender research in the Pacific is more easily discoverable by students, researchers and policy-makers. I have been involved in establishing this repository since 2016 and sit on the Advisory Committee. My particular role is to continue to ensure that Pacific students at universities are aware of and engaged with the material. The analysis of the use of TOKSAVE shows that with active promotion, comes active use. However, to date most of the users are mature professionals and researchers. We are yet to see active use by students so engaging Pacific summer scholars will ensure material is continually uploaded, that the promotion of the website is appropriate for Pacific students. In addition, summer scholars will be involved a particular research project on gender and climate change to demonstrate the use of TOKSAVE.

Scholar’s Work on the Project: I lead a major research project in 2015-2016 the culminated in a Symposium at the University of the South Pacific where almost 100 Pacific gender researchers endorsed the need for a repository. DFAT funded the design of the portal and the hosting team who were based at ANU. I remain an active member on the Advisory Committee. I had a Summer scholar in 2021-22 and she made a huge difference in uptake by Pacific Scholars. For this project, two summer scholars will: 1. Search databases in university libraries in NZ, the Pacific, and globally; websites of civil society organisations, private consulting firms, regional and national departments; and other places where research on gender in the Pacific may be housed. 2. Locate authors and assist them in loading their work into TokSave. 3. Document their process. 4. Test the completeness of their search by writing brief annotated bibliographies on topics under the guidance of the Supervisor.

Required Skills/Pre-requisites: Students need to have an interest in Pacific gender issues and preferably be enrolled in a gender studies course in Semester 2, 2022 (such as the Pacific 208/307 which I am teaching). Students need library searching skills. Students need to be self-starters and have initiative.

Benefits to Scholar: I remain committed to ensuring Pacific research is discoverable to a diversity of scholars, researchers and policy makers. The project focusses on Pacific gender research which is a specific research interest. I have successfully mentored graduate students for many the years and my shift in 2021 to undergraduate teaching gives me the opportunity to mentor undergraduate students as they make their way to graduate studies. I have a space for the student(s) to work near my office and we will meet formally every week. I will also include the student(s) in other gender research that I am involved in over summer.

Expectations: To add at least 20 items to the repository per week. To write a report that outlines their process of searching for items with tips for other students on how to use TOKSAVE. To suggest and implement ways of promoting TOKSAVE. To test the extent of material on TOKSAVE by undertaking basic searches.