Dr. Frances C. Koya Vaka‘uta is a powerful voice in Pacific scholarship and cultural development. Based in Suva, Fiji, she serves as the Team Leader for Culture for Development at the Pacific Community (SPC). She advocates for research and policy that reflect the lived realities of Pacific peoples, emphasizing that culture is not just heritage, but a resource for resilience and sustainable development.
This morning’s session which was deeply engaging she focused on the human element in research, how to begin with values, not big philosophies, rather than trying to articulate your entire research philosophy—which can feel overwhelming or vague focus first on the core values that guide your behaviour, decisions, and relationships throughout your research journey. These values act as your internal compass and help shape your philosophy over time.
