Humanities and Social Sciences

Anthropology Program

Staff Directory

Publications

Most of my publications are concerned with the people of Tonga in the South Pacific and Tongans who have migrated and settled in countries such as Australia. The main focus of my research with Tongans has been the question of cultural identity, especially the ways in which identity is formed by children and young people. My research has also looked at family relationships both in Tonga and in the Tongan populations overseas, and the networks of ties between those overseas Tongans and the ‘homeland’ in the Pacific. Overlapping with my research with Tongans is the work I have done on ‘cyberspace’, some of which has explored the ways Tongans are using the Internet as a new means of communication across their scattered global population.
List of recent publications

Tonga Research Association (formerly Tongan History Association)

Teaching

Currently I teach a first year subject, Further Exploring our World: Invitation to Anthropology (ANT1FET), as well as two subjects at second and third year levels: Childhood and Culture (ANT2/3CAC), and Kinship and Marriage (ANT2/3KAM).

Graduate Supervision

I supervise and co-supervise students at both Masters and PhD levels, from the disciplines of both Anthropology and Sociology, in a wide range of topics.
List of current topic areas

Research Grants

My research has been funded by the Australian Research Council through a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and Discovery Grant, as well as by university-funded small grants.
List of recent research grants

Research Projects

List of research projects

Professional Involvements

List of professional involvements