Dr. Seu’ula Johansson-Fua is leading transformative research to enhance institutional leadership and sustainability across the Pacific region. A prominent senior academic at The University of the South Pacific (USP), she is one of two recipients of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) Strategic Fund for Female Academics. This initiative was established to support female scholars on the verge of promotion by offering dedicated research opportunities.
Her project, titled ‘Mana – Leadership and Sustainability of a Pacific Regional Institution,’ focuses on the Institute of Education (IoE) at USP. Dr. Johansson-Fua aims to identify the strengths and credibility factors that have supported the IoE since its inception in 1975, coinciding with its 50th anniversary. By addressing the challenges and barriers in academia, she hopes to break the glass ceiling for women scholars.
Dr. Johansson-Fua emphasizes the concept of institutional resilience in her research. She states, “On a personal level, my research seeks to understand challenges and how we can do better. The agenda highlights improving services for our region.” Her study will analyze what has allowed the IoE to thrive for half a century while also candidly discussing its failures and challenges.
As the Acting Head of the School of Pacific Arts, Communication, and Education (SPACE) and the substantive Director of the IoE, Dr. Johansson-Fua envisions transforming both the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture, and Pacific Studies (OCACPS) and the IoE into leading research and development centers for education, culture, languages, and indigenous knowledge in the Pacific over the next decade.
A unique aspect of her research is the integration of indigenous methodologies to explore organizational systems. She aims to combine traditional Pacific research ethics with modern strategies, including **talanoa**, a narrative method that fosters dialogue and storytelling. Dr. Johansson-Fua believes this approach will provide valuable insights into Pacific systems that are frequently overlooked by conventional academic practices.
In navigating her roles as a mother and an academic, Dr. Johansson-Fua acknowledges the personal challenges women face in academia. She points out, “The pressures for Pacific women are often at a personal and societal level,” and stresses the importance of authenticity and confidence in academic settings. “You should bring your authentic self; your culture and identity are assets in your journey.”
She also encourages other Pacific women to seek mentorship that can guide them through personal and academic endeavors, asserting that mentorship has been crucial to her own career progression. Her dedication to enhancing Pacific education through research, particularly in leadership and indigenous methodologies, underscores her commitment to improving the academic landscape of the region.
As a recipient of the VCP Strategic Fund, Dr. Johansson-Fua will have valuable time to analyze and share her findings, contributing significantly to discussions on education and sustainability throughout the Pacific. This initiative not only enhances her research profile but also reflects a wider commitment to gender equity in academic institutions, opening doors for future generations of female leaders in academia. Dr. Johansson-Fua’s work represents a hopeful and positive trajectory for the Pacific region, promising to create lasting beneficial impacts.