Seven research students from The University of the South Pacific (USP) attended the Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania (ASAO) Annual Meeting in Nadi, Fiji. USP academics in History and Fijian Studies also attended the event.
The research students are PhD scholars of the Norway-Pacific Ocean-Climate Scholarship Programme (N-POC) at the University.
The day trip was a collaboration between the School of Social Sciences (SoLaSS) and the N-POC Scholarship Programme, providing a valuable opportunity for scholars to engage with Pacific-focused academic discourse.
The ASAO Annual Meeting was held from 12-15 February 2025 and featured international experts in the field of anthropology of the Pacific. It attracted scholars, students, and community members interested in the cultures, histories, and people of Oceania.
ASAO serves as a platform for those working in Indigenous Studies, Pacific Studies, Cultural Studies, and related fields, fostering the exchange of ideas and supporting the development of new scholarly publications.
Laura Williams, an N-POC Scholar from Fiji pursuing her PhD in Marine Science found the meeting enlightening.
“As a Natural Scientist, the ASAO Conference was very interesting and thought-provoking. Coming from a multiracial background, I was able to relate to cross-cultural experiences,” she shared.
“Being able to understand, that culture is not only about who you are and where you come from but culture is food, language, it is about connections or bonds that we forge that gives it a wholistic experience.”
Williams further commented that, “It was very inspiring and stimulating, to be able to make the connection between the natural sciences and anthropology/social sciences.”
“The connections, networks we build from these conferences can lead to future collaboration, through interdisciplinary or even cross disciplinary research in the Pacific.”
Fellow N-POC scholar, Viliami Vakapuna from Tonga who is pursuing his PhD in Education, echoed similar sentiments.
“The conference provided an enriching experience for a PhD student involved in a bi-institutional study with The University of the South Pacific and the University of Bergen.”
The conference featured intimate, discussion-based sessions that facilitated engagement with leading scholars and exploration of innovative ideas in social anthropology. A notable aspect of this meeting was an intriguing talanoa (discussion) session with external supervisor Tevita Ka’ili, which enhanced the experience.
Overall, the conference broadened academic perspectives and strengthened connections with researchers focused on Pacific cultures. The ASAO conference is a cornerstone event for scholars in anthropology of the Pacific, and this year’s gathering highlighted the importance of community, collaboration, and the continued exploration of the rich cultures of Oceania.
SoLaSS lecturer Dr Anawaite Matadradra added that by engaging in panels, workshops, and informal discussions, she connected with several inspiring Pacific scholars whose work had a significant impact on her.
She said these interactions led to promising opportunities for future collaborations.
Dr Matadradra wil be part of a panel – as a Pacific woman teaching history – at the Pacific History Association Conference in Samoa this December.
With the theme “Resilience in the Face of Adversity”, scholars and participants will explore the various strategies used throughout Pacific history to cope with adversity, and how those strategies have shaped the course of events in the region.
