Programme Coordinator Pacific Studies
Co-Chair Te Tumu Research Committee
Mutalau mo Hikutavake, Niue; Ngāti Pikiao; Tahiti
BMS (Hons) MMS (Waikato), PhD (Waikato)
Contact
Te Tumu Building
Level 4, Richardson Building, South Tower
Email jess.pasisi@otago.ac.nz
Research
Jess is of Niue (Mutalau, Hikutavake), Pākehā, Ngāti Pikiao, and Tahitian descent.
Her research thesis “Kitiaga mo fakamahani e hikihikiaga matagi he tau fifine Niue: Tau pūhala he tau hiapo – Niue women's perspectives and experiences of climate change: A hiapo approach” explored the intersections of Pacific Studies and Management Communication in understanding Niuean women's perspectives and experiences of climate change. In this research Jess developed a hiapo methodology, a Niue-centred approach and framework that upholds the specificity of Niue experience, culture, genealogy, language and connection to diasporic communities.
Jess' current research work applies Niue-centred methodology and methods to explore Niue concepts of happiness and wellbeing. Her research interests engage in critical discussions relating to Pacific Studies, Pacific health and wellbeing, climate change, and the New Zealand Realm.
Teaching
- PACI101 Pacific Societies
- PACI 310 Special Topic: Pacific People, Climate Change, and Power
- PACI 401 Tinā Pasifika - Women Polynesian Communities
Supervision
I am available for postgraduate supervisions in areas that relate to: Niue, Pacific Studies, Climate Change, Pacific storytelling, Pacific health and wellbeing, and the New Zealand Realm.
Funding / Distinctions
- 2023: Pacific Academic Staff Caucus Advancing Research Grant “Early career Pacific women in the academy: A podcast” with Dr Emma Powell, Tagimamao Dr Melanie Puka Bean, and Dr Eliorah Malifa
- 2023: University of Otago Research Grant “The New Zealand Realm: Indigenous archives and critical discussions with Niue, Tokelau, and the Cook Islands” with Dr Emma Powell and Tagimamao Dr Melanie Puka Bean
- 2022: Marsden Fast Start Grant “Mapping Niue texts in and beyond Aotearoa: Expanding on New Zealand Realm connections to Niue through archival texts”. 2019: Health Research Council of New Zealand Pacific Health Researcher Award “Niue Happiness: A hiapo approach to Niue mental health and wellbeing”
Publications
Powell, E., Pasisi, J., Bean, T. M. P., Dziedzic, A., Asafo, D., Bennett, J. L., Fortin, M., … Fa'avae, I. A. (2023). Mapping otherwise realms. Proceedings of the Australian Association for Pacific Studies (AAPS) Conference. (pp. 36-37). Retrieved from http://pacificstudies.org.au/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Pasisi, J. (2022). Reading at/with/by/for/to the moana. In T. L. Mangioni & K. Teaiwa (Eds.), Sustenance: Decolonial recipes for wellbeing, self and community care in the academy. (pp. 14). Canberra, Australia: Australian National University. [Guide]. Other Research Output
Pasisi, J., Makaola, T. & Vakaafi, I. (2022). Exhibition catalogue essay Niuean weaving in Aotearoa. Matua moe Tama: Weaving within Magafaoa exhibition, ObjectSpace, Auckland, New Zealand. [Exhibition Catalogue]. Other Research Output
Pasisi, J., Henry, Z. C. L., Fa'avae, I. A., Atfield-Douglas, R., Togahai, B. L., Makaola, T., … Pilisi, A. S. (2022). Niue Fakahoamotu Nukutuluea Motutefua Nukututaha: Critical discussions of Niue history in and beyond Aotearoa New Zealand. Public History Review, 29, 67-77. doi: 10.5130/phrj.v29i0.8230 Journal - Research Article
Greensill, H., Taito, M., Pasisi, J., Bennett, J. L., Dean, M., & Monise, M. (2022). Tupuna Wahine, Saina, Tupuna Vaine, Matua Tupuna Fifine, Mapiạg Hạni: Grandmothers in the archives. Public History Review, 29, 54-66. doi: 10.5130/phrj. v29i0.8225 Journal - Research Article