Fofonga for Pacific Research Excellence

last week Fofonga attended the annual Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) conference held in Darwin, Northern Territory. The conference offers opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking with global and local stakeholders, and presentations from inspiring leaders and innovators in the research environment Fofonga had the pleasure of delivering a presentation/talanoa around Centring Pacific Indigenous Values in Building Pacific Research Capacity, Dissemination and Impact. A presentation that was well received and has opened doors for collaboration and partnership with universities abroad! A special mention and heartfelt appreciation to our ORSI Whānau (Jaylene Wehipeihan & Hine Busby) who encouraged Fofonga to submit an abstract, being the first Pacific representation body at the ARMS Conference, and our Research Development and Impact Team (Faith Welch & Cherie Lacey) who have been instrumental in supporting Fofonga’s growth over the past year. We appreciate you! We look forward to many more! Presenters: Charmaine ‘Ilaiū Talei (Director) , Seuta'afili Patrick Thomsen, PhD (Establishment Director) and Ioana Hill Programme Manager)

Fofonga would like to acknowledge and celebrate three Pacific successful recipients from Waipapa Taumata Rau who have been awarded prestigious funding from The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) The First Grant and Emerging Leader fellowship have enormous potential to advance Māori and Pacific health through innovative and impactful research & we all look forward to supporting you along the way! Congratulations Dr. Sarah Kapeli, Dr. Seuta’afili Patrick Thomsen and Dr. Sam Manuela 🎉

Dr. Sereana Naepi a Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences examines issues of Universities practicing non-performative diversity and how this impacts Pasifika women in Universities in New Zealand Swipe for more!

Dr Fuafiva Fa'alau is the Principal Investigator of a Research project funded by Health Research Council exploring culturally appropriate diagnostic tools for Pacific communities in addressing dementia prevention. Swipe to read more!

Dr Siobahn Tu'akoi, a Pacific Research Fellow in the Pacific Health section, School of Population and Health; published a Scoping review in 2022, addressing rheumatic fever inequities in Aotearoa New Zealand Swipe to read more!

Dr Sam Manuela, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Waipapa Taumata Rau, is the principal investigator for a first-of-its-kind research project across the Island of Rarotonga, conducting a mental health survey that examines the prevalence, experiences, and history of mental health in the Cook Islands. Swipe to read more!

Sandra Hanchard, Research Fellow at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Waipapa Taumata Ray, has been awarded the Inaugural Joint Heart Foundation - Pūtahi Manawa Pacific Research Fellowship Swipe for further reading

Science Media Centre delivered a two day Media Savvy Workshop for our Pacific Researchers! The two day media training and communications skills workshop is designed to build confidence and uplift Pacific Voices so that researchers are able to engage effectively with Media. Thank you to all those who attended and participated in the workshop!

Pacific Research Spotlight! Asetoa Sam Pilisi Fofonga would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Asetoa Sam Pilisi and his wider team of research assistants, community partners and Pacific leaders for the release of their anticipated Pacific well-being Survey This online survey is part of a PhD mixed methods study and is designed to collect information about lived experiences of NZ-born Pacific people. Specifically, the online survey is interested in celebrating Pacific worldviews while also critically analysing tensions between personal and collective well-being.   The survey has been co-designed with community voices in an effort to humbly test and question the ways in which we see the world, and how we live amongst many competing priorities and values. This online survey is anonymous and none of your responses will be able to identify you. The online survey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Your contribution to this research is valued and appreciated

Today we acknowledge and celebrate our esteemed Pacific Staff and colleagues at Waipapa Taumata Rau for their well-deserved promotions for 2023! Highlighting a significant milestone: we all take immense pride in the remarkable achievement of having three Pacific women serve as Professors. Congratulations to you all and we wish you the very best for your academic endeavours 🥳🎉