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| Specialities |
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Discipline(s) |
Anthropology
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Member of |
Pacific History Association (PHA)  Association for Social Anthropology in Oceania (ASAO) |
Geographic administrative areas |
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Geographic places |
Melanesia
Polynesia
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Historical periods |
Ancestral Oceania
The Colonial time
20th century
21st century
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Indigenous languages |
Fijian |
Experiences |
Field Research (2000 to 2015)
Rural Fiji - research and development wok — Massey University and independent
I am of Fijian ethnicity and have lived and worked in rural Fiji for a number of years. Work experience includes school teaching (Geography to year ten and eleven students and school and village based development projects including renewable energy together with wide research experience.PhD Research (2009 to 2013)
Yaqona (kava) and education in Fiji: Investigating ‘cultural complexities’ from a post-development perspective — Massey University, New Zealand
Yaqona – more commonly known throughout Pasifika as kava – is presented and drunk in Fiji at almost every event from birth to death. Yaqona is considered an ingestible manifestation of the people, their land and cultural systems and consumed by many Fijians on a nightly basis. In a first of its kind study, Aporosa used cognitive tests and interviews that showed yaqona use by teachers can disrupt cognition and in turn negatively impact teaching quality on mornings following yaqona consumption. Traditionally, development theory has prescribed prohibition and situational bans in cases where indigenous substances negatively impact productivity. However, in the case of yaqona, Aporosa argues prohibition would be short-sighted as this indigenous substance is critical to the facilitation of school function, identity formation and academic achievement – all elements necessary to development. This study is important for policy makers and development practitioners, demonstrating the need to consider wider cultural and societal issues in development.Academic Position (2013 to 2014)
Researcher and intern supervisor — Waikato-Tainui College for Research and Development
A 20 month long research contract. I worked on a number of iwi focused development projects including a tribal education positioning scan and health and wellbeing projects together with research funding and the co-supervision of 18 interns working on a variety of of tribal themes. |
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Some figures...The database of experts counts today 1236 profiles, of which 593 are publicly accessible, while 643 have chosen to remain private. These persons have defined 747 unique keywords in which they situate their research interests and expertise. They have also defined and described 649 ' experiences' (research and teaching activities, consulting work, or applied projects) in which they have contributed. | |
