Pioneering a new path in academia, Dr Seu’ula Johansson-Fua is set to undertake revolutionary research aimed at strengthening institutional leadership and sustainability across the Pacific.
A senior academic at The University of the South Pacific (USP), Dr Johansson-Fua is one of two recipients of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) Strategic Fund for Female Academics. The strategic fund was established last year and is designed to support women scholars at USP who are on the threshold of academic promotion. It provides these academics with the opportunity to dedicate focused time to research and publications.
Her research titled ‘Mana – Leadership and Sustainability of a Pacific Regional Institution’ is centred around the Institute of Education (IoE) at USP.
Like many women in academia, Dr Johansson-Fua continues to break the glass ceiling in the education space, with her study exploring factors that have built the IoE’s strength and credibility.
Dr Johansson-Fua said that this study focuses on the longevity of the IoE as a model for institutional resilience.
“On a personal level, my research has always been based on trying to understand a problem and how we can do better. The agenda is always about improving our service to our region. I think the innovative part of this project is looking at USP’s oldest and longest-standing institute, which is the Institute of Education,” she said.
“Established in 1975, it’s 50 years old, that in itself is innovation. My research project is to examine how it lasted this long, and what failures and challenges it faced along the way.”
As the Acting Head of School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE) and the substantive Director of the Institute of Education, her focus is on improving the institution and its service to increase its relevance.
“I aim to strengthen both the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies (OCACPS) and IoE so that in 10 years’ time, they are the go-to research and development centres in the region for supporting Pacific education, Pacific languages, Pacific culture, and indigenous knowledge. That is the vision, strengthening our service to our member countries.”
A unique aspect of her research is the application of indigenous research methods to study organisational systems.
Through this approach, Dr Johansson-Fua will incorporate traditional and contemporary research methodologies.
“What I’m proposing here is to use specific methodologies to study an organisation,” she stated.
“I’m using Pacific methodologies, use of talanoa and also Pacific research ethics, in addition to meta-analysis and methodological treaties. I’m using both Pacific and Western methodology to examine an institution within the USP.”
“Specific methodologies like Talanoa or Talk Story tend to be used to study either arts or more generic topics. It’s not really used to study an organisation. It’s not used to study systems, processes, policies, structures, governance and financing.”
“So, in terms of content, that’s what I’m hoping to do and to show that specific research methodologies that you can use to understand our Pacific system.”
As a mother and scholar, Dr Johansson-Fua has managed to overcome the challenges faced by many professional women in the region.
“The challenges I think for Pacific women is usually at a personal and societal level,” she shared.
“I’m a mother, I’m a wife, I have a family, which are commitments outside of this job. To write, I have to wake up at three o’clock in the morning. It’s not an issue of capability, but an issue of capacity, because our 24-hour day is filled with so many things.”
“I encourage all Pacific women, particularly at USP and in our region, to be confident. You can do it.”
Her advice for fellow women academics is to always stay true to their identity.
“Just bring your authentic self, you don’t have to downplay being a Pacific person to get ahead. Take all of you, your culture, your language, your identity, and use that and be who you really are,” she said.
“You’re never too old to find a mentor. I’ve been really blessed to have been mentored by strong Pacific women leaders. I encourage all Pacific women, whether you’re in academia or on a professional level, find a good mentor to help you not only in your journey in life, but in your academic career.”
Dr Johansson-Fua has made significant contributions toward the advancement of Pacific education through scholarship and research, particularly in the fields of Pacific research methodology, Pacific research ethics, educational leadership, and educational planning and policy.
As a recipient of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) Strategic Fund for Female Academics grant, Dr Johansson-Fua will have dedicated research time to thoroughly analyse, document, publish and disseminate the research data to various stakeholders.
