Building Building thethe Pacific Research Community Pacific Research Community through the through the Access GridAccess Grid

Building Building thethe Pacific Research Community Pacific Research Community through the through the Access GridAccess Grid

Tagaloatele Dr. Peggy Fairbairn-DunlopTagaloatele Dr. Peggy Fairbairn-DunlopSalainaoloa WilsonSalainaoloa Wilson

Va’aomanū Pasifika – Victoria UniversityVa’aomanū Pasifika – Victoria University

PACIFIC POST/ GRADUATE PACIFIC POST/ GRADUATE TALANOA NETWORKTALANOA NETWORK

The sustainability and joy of our network is grounded in the The sustainability and joy of our network is grounded in the commitment of and the relationships which have developed commitment of and the relationships which have developed between our 8 hub research centresbetween our 8 hub research centres ((student, staff, institutional, technicians wider communitystudent, staff, institutional, technicians wider community))

Tribute to BRCSS funding, our national team, our RAs Valerie Rimoni (07) and Tribute to BRCSS funding, our national team, our RAs Valerie Rimoni (07) and Salainaoloa Wilson (08-9)Salainaoloa Wilson (08-9)

Working together we have achieved muchWorking together we have achieved much

ISOLATIONISOLATIONPersonal and academic isolation due to small numbers, Personal and academic isolation due to small numbers,

spreadspread

Who is doing what, where, how and why?Who is doing what, where, how and why?

AN ENVIRONMENT DOMINATED BY MAINSTREAM AN ENVIRONMENT DOMINATED BY MAINSTREAM RESEARCH TRADITIONSRESEARCH TRADITIONS

Lack of spaces to question and clarify our research related Lack of spaces to question and clarify our research related questions such as ‘questions such as ‘what counts as knowledge, are there what counts as knowledge, are there Pacific ways of knowing and, how is knowledge shared, Pacific ways of knowing and, how is knowledge shared, valued and usedvalued and used’ ’ in Pacific communities?in Pacific communities?

WHY?WHY?Challenges for Pacific Research/ersChallenges for Pacific Research/ers

STARTING POINT 1STARTING POINT 1

• Every Pacific society has a framework of knowledge Every Pacific society has a framework of knowledge that is systematically gathered and formulated within that is systematically gathered and formulated within a paradigm of general truths and principles. a paradigm of general truths and principles. Knowledge gathering and systems of validating Knowledge gathering and systems of validating knowledge and legitimising information are processes knowledge and legitimising information are processes that are often determined and regulated (but not that are often determined and regulated (but not exclusively) by a select group within the traditional exclusively) by a select group within the traditional hierarchy of knowledge (HRC: 2004 p10)hierarchy of knowledge (HRC: 2004 p10)

The necessary relationship between epistemologies, The necessary relationship between epistemologies, methodologies and pedagogical practices (Gegeo 07)methodologies and pedagogical practices (Gegeo 07)

STARTING POINT 2STARTING POINT 2To educate To educate Pacific leaders, who can sit just as confidently at Pacific leaders, who can sit just as confidently at global decision making tables and community / village fonoglobal decision making tables and community / village fono

STARTING POINT 3STARTING POINT 3

• That there are ‘other’ ways of knowing, motivation That there are ‘other’ ways of knowing, motivation systems, solutions (quality of life) systems, solutions (quality of life)

• Empowerment for Pacific people in recognising, re-Empowerment for Pacific people in recognising, re-learning and growing our knowledge learning and growing our knowledge

• Utilitarian – more effective and efficient delivery of Utilitarian – more effective and efficient delivery of basic services, Aotearoa’s goals of cultural diversitybasic services, Aotearoa’s goals of cultural diversity

TALANOA AIMS (07)TALANOA AIMS (07)

• Working with BRCSS Pacific partners, to increase Working with BRCSS Pacific partners, to increase Pacific social research/er capacity and the Pacific social research/er capacity and the development of a critical mass of Pacific researchers development of a critical mass of Pacific researchers through coordinating a series of discussions on Pacific through coordinating a series of discussions on Pacific research, issues and strategies. research, issues and strategies.

• The target group for this pilot will be Pacific p/g The target group for this pilot will be Pacific p/g students from BRCSS partner universitiesstudents from BRCSS partner universities

• That Talanoa ‘findings’ would feed into a National That Talanoa ‘findings’ would feed into a National Pacific Research Fono planned for 2008. Pacific Research Fono planned for 2008.

ACCESS GRIDACCESS GRIDA different kind of knowledge spaceA different kind of knowledge space• Chance to meet, dialogue, Chance to meet, dialogue, build a research communitybuild a research community

break down feelings of isolationbreak down feelings of isolation

• Be exposed to different perspectives (other academic Be exposed to different perspectives (other academic staff, students) and the modelling of critiquing behavioursstaff, students) and the modelling of critiquing behaviours

• Discuss and clarify research-related issues including Discuss and clarify research-related issues including epistemological positions and set pathways to new epistemological positions and set pathways to new learninglearning

• Explore & understand the potential of this new technology Explore & understand the potential of this new technology

AUTAUTCityCityAUTAUTCityCity

AUTAUTAkoranga Akoranga

20092009

AUTAUTAkoranga Akoranga

20092009

MasseyMasseyAlbanyAlbany

MasseyMasseyAlbanyAlbany

MasseyMasseyP. NorthP. NorthMasseyMasseyP. NorthP. North

Auckland Auckland UniversityUniversityAuckland Auckland UniversityUniversity

WaikatoWaikatoUniversityUniversityWaikatoWaikatoUniversityUniversity

CanterburCanterburyy

UniversityUniversity

CanterburCanterburyy

UniversityUniversity

OtagoOtagoUniversityUniversity

OtagoOtagoUniversityUniversity

LincolnLincolnUniversity University

20082008

LincolnLincolnUniversity University

20082008MasseyMassey

Wellington Wellington 20082008

MasseyMasseyWellington Wellington

20082008Family Family CentreCentre

L-Hutt 2008L-Hutt 2008

Family Family CentreCentre

L-Hutt 2008L-Hutt 2008

BEGINNINGS (2007)BEGINNINGS (2007)

• EIGHT UNIVERSITY HUBS – good will, partnerships EIGHT UNIVERSITY HUBS – good will, partnerships

• PACIFIC STUDENTS -identifying, contactingPACIFIC STUDENTS -identifying, contacting

• SOCIAL SCIENCES?SOCIAL SCIENCES?

• TECHNOLOGY, time, space and rooms, technicians,TECHNOLOGY, time, space and rooms, technicians,

• ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT – p/g Research Assistant ORGANISATIONAL SUPPORT – p/g Research Assistant (VUW)(VUW)

TALANOA SESSION FORMATTALANOA SESSION FORMAT• Introductions Introductions

– Who? What studying/teaching? Who? What studying/teaching? Dept? InterestsDept? Interests

– Attendance recorded (m/fAttendance recorded (m/f

• PresentationsPresentations– Usually 2, approx. 20minsUsually 2, approx. 20mins

• DiscussionDiscussion– Q & A (aim: research issues & methodologies)Q & A (aim: research issues & methodologies)

• Post SessionPost Session– DiscussionsDiscussions– EmailsEmails– Database (VUW)Database (VUW)

PRESENTERS: PRESENTERS: 2007-20082007-2008

Male/FemaleMale/Female Student/Staff/OtherStudent/Staff/Other

20092009 (6 mth): (6 mth): 7m,4f7m,4f

PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS: 2007-20082007-2008

Male/FemaleMale/FemaleStudent/Staff/Other Student/Staff/Other

2008 only2008 only

20072007TotalTotal: : 313313Range: 20-55Range: 20-55

20082008Total: Total: 478478Range: 20-65Range: 20-65

20092009Total: Total: 278278Range: 40-Range: 40-8686

PRESENTERS/PARTICIPANTS: PRESENTERS/PARTICIPANTS: 20092009

• 5 sessions so far5 sessions so far

• Presenters:Presenters:– 7 Female, 4 Male7 Female, 4 Male– 5 staff, 6 students5 staff, 6 students

• Participants:Participants:– 268268 (5 sessions) (5 sessions)– Range: Range: 42-42-8686– 69% Female, 31% Male69% Female, 31% Male

WHO COMES?WHO COMES?

• TECTEC• NGO’s: PlunketNGO’s: Plunket• Social WorkersSocial Workers• Teachers (high schools, primary schools), studentsTeachers (high schools, primary schools), students• Ministries (MSD, MPIA)Ministries (MSD, MPIA)• Govt Depts (Department of Labour eg. RSL schemeGovt Depts (Department of Labour eg. RSL scheme• Other tertiary institutes (Weltec)Other tertiary institutes (Weltec)• VC and PVCs of AUT, FHSS Dean VUW VC and PVCs of AUT, FHSS Dean VUW • Pacific Community (parents, ministers, families etc)Pacific Community (parents, ministers, families etc)

WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED?WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED?

1. What is happening in this space (and after) 1. What is happening in this space (and after) content & processcontent & process

22 Appropriateness and usefulness of this Appropriateness and usefulness of this ‘virtual’ but ‘virtual’ but face to faceface to face strategy for Pacific students/ strategy for Pacific students/ researchersresearchers

REVIEW (07)REVIEW (07)Technology, Words, Esteem and, Academic conversationTechnology, Words, Esteem and, Academic conversation

• I wanted to say something … I disagreed… But I didn’t want to I wanted to say something … I disagreed… But I didn’t want to offend. Sometimes I sit so long (wanting to say something, tossing offend. Sometimes I sit so long (wanting to say something, tossing up) that when I talk, it all comes out wrong … how can I ask a up) that when I talk, it all comes out wrong … how can I ask a question that doesn’t sound like a criticism attack?question that doesn’t sound like a criticism attack?

• Tongans were particularly passionate…and sometimes too Tongans were particularly passionate…and sometimes too aggressive. But such challenges are perhaps useful in such aggressive. But such challenges are perhaps useful in such dialoguedialogue

• Disrespect… to presenters, supervisors dominating, ’grilling’Disrespect… to presenters, supervisors dominating, ’grilling’

• An eye-opener… watching those academics!An eye-opener… watching those academics!

PACIFIC RESEARCH STRATEGIESPACIFIC RESEARCH STRATEGIES

• Emerging Pacific Research strategies - How the same/ different to mainstream Emerging Pacific Research strategies - How the same/ different to mainstream models (e.g. Talanoa)models (e.g. Talanoa)

• ‘‘Do I Do I havehave to (should I) use a P strategy?’to (should I) use a P strategy?’

• Place of language and ‘finer’ meanings in Pacific researchPlace of language and ‘finer’ meanings in Pacific research

• ‘‘Others’ (supervisors’) understanding of a Pacific world view and what this means in Others’ (supervisors’) understanding of a Pacific world view and what this means in the research process. University ethics requirementsthe research process. University ethics requirements

• Dilemmas in Dilemmas in serving two mastersserving two masters (community, academic, donors) (community, academic, donors)

***Whatever method you use, you must be able to defend and, demonstrate rigour & ***Whatever method you use, you must be able to defend and, demonstrate rigour & robustness!!!robustness!!!

OTHEROTHER

• e & face to face follow ups (AUT established Wiki 2009)e & face to face follow ups (AUT established Wiki 2009)

• Growing Pacific Researchers FonoGrowing Pacific Researchers Fono (Auckland 2008) (SITE) (Auckland 2008) (SITE) • Talanoa written into p/g course requirements (VUW PASI courses 2008-9 Talanoa written into p/g course requirements (VUW PASI courses 2008-9

and University of Auckland 2009)and University of Auckland 2009)

• A National Pacific BRCSS ‘team’ - joint research, lobbyingA National Pacific BRCSS ‘team’ - joint research, lobbying

• Consultancy. AUT Bibliographic Index of Pacific Thesis in New Zealand Consultancy. AUT Bibliographic Index of Pacific Thesis in New Zealand Universities (Vol 1, 2, 3) & cd. All university libraries. Universities (Vol 1, 2, 3) & cd. All university libraries.

• Student & staff networks with Govt, NGO and private sector ‘a face to the Student & staff networks with Govt, NGO and private sector ‘a face to the materials we read’ Understanding different positions.materials we read’ Understanding different positions.

GOALS 2008-2009GOALS 2008-2009

• Consolidate & expand Pacific research community and, Consolidate & expand Pacific research community and, debatedebate

• Balance - academic & student lead Q and AsBalance - academic & student lead Q and As

• Regional expansion as, USP, NUS, UPNGRegional expansion as, USP, NUS, UPNG

• Credit course? (National unit, PBRF)Credit course? (National unit, PBRF)

• Q: should sessions be vehicles for community information/ Q: should sessions be vehicles for community information/ messages? What is our core business?messages? What is our core business?

2008/9 SNAPSHOT2008/9 SNAPSHOT

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS 2008 MAY 2008 MAY (R completed)(R completed)

11 Q: 10pg 1 staff11 Q: 10pg 1 staff2009 MAY 2009 MAY (R proposal)(R proposal)

9 Q: 6pg 3 staff9 Q: 6pg 3 staff

RESEARCH RESEARCH METHODMETHOD

*S perceptions of ‘crime’*S perceptions of ‘crime’

*Sample: size, age, gender *Sample: size, age, gender (more males?), Auckland(more males?), Auckland

*carried out by non-S R?*carried out by non-S R?

*language (by status)*language (by status)

*Participant research*Participant research

*Concepts – Samoan/ Pacific *Concepts – Samoan/ Pacific

of e.g entrepreneur, successof e.g entrepreneur, success

*Language *Language

*Are you applying an ‘economic’ *Are you applying an ‘economic’ eye to this studyeye to this study

*Sample, gender, area *Sample, gender, area

INFORMATIONINFORMATION -- Available data (census, other)Available data (census, other)

OTHER (adding to)OTHER (adding to) Have you thought about Have you thought about interviewing Samoan judges?interviewing Samoan judges?

Has the role of informal sector Has the role of informal sector been considered?been considered?

And, the transition of informal And, the transition of informal sector to small business sector to small business

CONCLUDING WORDSCONCLUDING WORDSBuilt a national team of Pacific scholars, students, staff and community. Built a national team of Pacific scholars, students, staff and community. A A

Pacific Association of Researchers?Pacific Association of Researchers?

Like to think we have Like to think we have • empowered Pacific students (and staff) kept them ‘in’, established empowered Pacific students (and staff) kept them ‘in’, established

multiple support systems and opened up choicesmultiple support systems and opened up choices

• furthered debate, understanding and confidence in Pacific research furthered debate, understanding and confidence in Pacific research processes for the Pacific but also the wider communityprocesses for the Pacific but also the wider community

• reached the stage of being able to critique Pacific methodologies… reached the stage of being able to critique Pacific methodologies… to to ensure robustness and rigour not, to change their essenceensure robustness and rigour not, to change their essence

• through the Talanoa, linked our students to Govt/ NGO and private through the Talanoa, linked our students to Govt/ NGO and private sector agencies so that they have experienced first-hand the vital role sector agencies so that they have experienced first-hand the vital role of (our) research in informing policies and practices. of (our) research in informing policies and practices.