Research
Our research agenda is grounded in concepts and pillars outlined by Dr. Linda Tuhiwai Smith’s Decolonizing Methodologies. Dr. Smith, professor of indigenous education at the University of Waikato and of Ngati Awa and Ngati Porou iwi, called for a complete program of research by indigenous people, for indigenous people, articulating the profound history between Western scientific research and the cultures that were/are treated as available, silent “subjects.”
She envisioned a decolonizing framework where indigenous scholars would not just deconstruct Western scholarship, but also impact the material realities of indigenous communities - health, poverty, education. In this context, we aim to create and invigorate research that is conducted with and alongside communities, in pursuit of the empowerment, and ultimately liberation, of all Pacific Islanders.
Agenda
Center the voices of Pacific Islander communities
Generate knowledge about the lives and experiences of Pacific Islanders
Understand how systems and structures impact Pacific Islanders
Focus on how Pacific Islanders navigate social systems and structures
Data-Narrative-Action (DNA) Fellowship
In partnership with AAPI Data, the Data-Narrative-Action (DNA) Fellowship Program is focused on providing support for AA & NHPI nonprofit organizations by connecting them with current or recently graduated undergraduate students looking to gain real-world experience.
Anamalia Su’esu’e
she/her
DNA Research Fellow
Paige Tengeluk
she/her
DNA Research Fellow
Ina Thigith
she/her
DNA Research Fellow
Partnerships
Application Process
To pursue a formal research partnership with EPIC you must submit a proposal for evaluation. Please read through our proposal requirements before submission.
Email your complete research proposal to epic@empoweredpi.org. An EPIC staff member will evaluate the proposal and respond to you within one month.
Upon Acceptance
If accepted, you agree to the following terms of the partnership:
Research design, protocol, methods, dissemination, presentation/publication of findings must take place with our express consent and approval.
Affiliate scholars who choose to present or publish material on their own (without EPIC staff participation) agree to include a disclaimer stating that the views / findings are the researcher’s and not those of EPIC. The basic content of the disclaimer is below:
This [explain activity] was prepared or accomplished by [insert author's name] in their personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article/presentation are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC).
Researchers agree to conduct training with EPIC staff and program participants on the research methods being used for the project, as a way to support our continued effort to build capacity for the organization.
In partnership with all researchers, EPIC staff will commit to the following:
Assign point person to facilitate communication
Act as conduit to community
Support recruitment of research participants through email and social media (if requested)
Work with researcher on strategy to disseminate knowledge within community
Inclusion of research/researcher as an ‘affiliate scholar’ on our website and all research publications