Associate Professor Sereana Naepi

I am a researcher and educator committed to fostering equitable and inclusive higher education and research systems. As a Rutherford Discovery Fellow at the University of Auckland, my work critically examines the intersections of equity, decolonization, and systemic change in academia. Drawing on Pacific and Indigenous methodologies, I aim to challenge traditional power dynamics and advance transformative approaches to equity within higher education.

My research has been published in leading international journals and is recognized for offering critical insights into equity-focused policies and practices. I value interdisciplinary and community-driven research and work to ensure my scholarship creates real-world impacts. Through my work, I strive to shape conversations about decolonization, equity, and Indigenous rights in education, both locally and globally.

A key focus of my work is the use of Pacific research methods and methodologies. Grounded in the cultural values and knowledge systems of Pacific communities, these approaches emphasize relationality, reciprocity, and respect. I use these methodologies not only to ensure that research is meaningful and empowering for Pacific communities but also to challenge dominant Western paradigms of knowledge production. This commitment shapes all aspects of my work, from research design to community engagement, ensuring that my scholarship remains grounded, inclusive, and impactful.