Associate Professor Ocean Mercier

Ocean’s teaching and research interests are varied, but her key focus is how mātauranga Māori and science connect and relate, particularly in educational contexts and using novel digital technologies. She co-leads a National Science Challenge project investigating the perceptions of novel biotechnological controls of pest wasps in Aotearoa. Her research also involves kaupapa Māori reading of films. She is the presenter of Māori Television's Project Mātauranga and presents for TVNZ’s Coast.

Current research projects

• Social and cultural perceptions of novel biotechnological controls of pest wasps, with Prof. Phil Lester
• Virtual exchanges on Indigenous knowledge(s) and science in global contexts, with Dr Beth Leonard, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
• Student learning and engagement in the Te Kawa a Māui Atlas
• Place-based and map-based work in Māori Studies
• The 48 Hour Film Competition: what do the audio commentaries reveal?

Research interests

• The interface between mātauranga Māori and science
• Cultural mapping and digital media in documenting local knowledge and diversifying the tertiary education experience
• Kaupapa Māori readings of film, especially those of Taika Waititi
• Portrayals of culture in limited-time film, especially the V48 Hours Furious Filmmaking Competition
• Use of locally relevant 'cultural context' in science resources, especially Te Whata Kura Ahupungao, an initiative of the Faculty of Science (Equity) that has provided multimedia resources for learners and teachers of physics. Short, educational films can be downloaded or watched online in te reo and English.
• Indigenous academic experience.