Dr. Sereana Naepi
Pacific Academic
Daughter, Sister, Mother, Wife, Friend and Pacific Academic. These roles not only describe me but also my philosophy in life. As the saying goes ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and as a child of the Pacific I owe my success not only to my hard work and dedication but also the community of people whom have helped and supported me along the way.
About me
I am a Pacific researcher located in Aotearoa New Zealand who enjoys the challenge of taking on complex problems from multiple angles. My work uses multiple approaches to explore how universities and our wider research sectors can become places that embrace all learners, esteem all knowledges and serve all communities. As this is a complex problem, I draw on qualitative and quantitative methods and work across various different research teams and collectives both nationally and internationally.
I grew up in Mount Wellington with my two brothers and my Mum (Indigenous Fijian) and Dad (Pakeha). I attended Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland until going to University of British Columbia to complete my PhD. I have two daughters and I am hopeful that the work I do now will build a better future for them and my family.
The values of relationship and service ace foundational to my research approach. I believe in research that contributes to change and I pursue projects that will have a positive impact for my communities and family.
About me
I am a Pacific researcher located in Aotearoa New Zealand who enjoys the challenge of taking on complex problems from multiple angles. My work uses multiple approaches to explore how universities and our wider research sectors can become places that embrace all learners, esteem all knowledges and serve all communities. As this is a complex problem, I draw on qualitative and quantitative methods and work across various different research teams and collectives both nationally and internationally.
I grew up in Mount Wellington with my two brothers and my Mum (Fijian) and Dad (Pakeha). I attended Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland until going to University of British Columbia to complete my PhD. I have two daughters and I am hopeful that the work I do now will build a better future for them and my family.
The values of relationship and service ace foundational to my research approach. I believe in research that contributes to change and I pursue projects that will have a positive impact for my communities and family.
My work philosophy
I engage in research as a service to my community, guided by the belief that all people deserve to reach their potential, currently focusing on how higher education institutions can better serve those within them. My approach centers on three principles: Collaborate through community engagement to enable holistic research practices; Understand people, communities, practices, systems, and information deeply to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples; and Implement findings rather than letting research disappear, bringing current knowledge forward to effect meaningful change—the challenging but essential purpose that drives my work.
My Research
My academic journey encompasses collaborative Publications with outstanding domestic and international scholars on work meaningful to me and my communities; career-building Presentations including keynotes that have fostered strong global networks; accessible Public Scholarship through media engagement, social platforms, public lectures, open-access publications, and blogging; and Consultation services leveraging my systems-level bias expertise to help organizations become more inclusive, collaborating with entities like Matada Research, government agencies, and private sector companies.
Media
Articles
Questions we need to ask about higher education
This blog is from my presentation at the Indigenous Graduate Student Symposium in Vancouver 2017. In it I consider what it is we are asking for participation in and what is the price of this participation on both our communities and ourselves.
Non-Performative Diversity and Pasifika Women
Pasifika women experience non-performative diversity in universities in New Zealand. Non-Performative diversity operates as a way for universities to commit to diversity while simultaneously excluding diversity.
When actions speak volumes on values: UoA response to Action Zealandia
This blog is a little bit of an opportunity for me to try and sort out my thoughts on the matter, an attempt to weave higher education theory on freedom of speech, academic freedom and race theory in higher education.
See my CV for more information
I engage in research as a way to be of service to my community. I fundamentally believe that all people have a right to reach theis potential and for now I am focussed on how higher education institutions can better serve the people who work and learn within their institution.
If you are interested in working with me feel free to check out my CV at the link below, or contact me if you have any queries.