Two early career Pacific academics of Tongan heritage were recognised for their contributions to research at the 2025 Te Taumata Rangahau Celebrating Research Excellence Awards, held at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
Dr Jean M Uasike Allen, Senior Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy (Faculty of Arts and Education), and Dr Siobhan Tu’akoi, Research Fellow in Pacific Health (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences), received Early Career Research Excellence Awards.
Professor Jemaima Tiatia-Siau, Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific, congratulated both recipients, describing the recognition as a strong start for two Pacific researchers early in their careers.
Dr Allen (Makaunga, Kolovai, Tongatapu, Tefisi, Vava’u – Tonga and European) was acknowledged for her work in Pacific youth well-being, decolonial health education, and digital relationality. She also recently secured a $360,000 Marsden fast-start grant for a study titled Virtual Voyagers: Amplifying Pacific Girl Gamer Voices, which looks at how online gaming shapes well-being and relationships for Pacific girls.
“Young people are moving into digital spaces to build relationships and connect,” Allen said.
“It’s important to understand how this works, especially for Pacific communities, using our own worldviews and concepts.”
Dr Tu’akoi (Holonga, Tongatapu – Tonga, Pākehā) received recognition for her research into rheumatic fever inequities. In August last year, she was awarded a $487,000 Pacific health postdoctoral fellowship to co-design health interventions with Pacific communities over a three-year period.
Tu’akoi said the project includes a survey of Pacific people in Auckland to assess awareness around rheumatic fever, with early findings pointing to the role of social media as a key health information platform.
“This award is something I share with my family, my community, and everyone who supports this work,” she said. “We are slowly making progress toward understanding how this condition affects our people, and how we might respond.”
Both researchers said they are grateful for the recognition and hope it helps strengthen support for Pacific-led research that works alongside communities.
