Re-Visioning Online Pacific Research Methods for Knowledge Sharing That Maintains Respectful Vā

Abstract

The process of re-visioning online research methods for Pacific research requires us to understand what was, what currently is and what will be possible within future Pacific contexts. As a Pacific academic, I did not consider adopting online research methods for Pacific knowledge sharing until 2015. The significance of adopting these methods became more pronounced during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic social and travel restrictions. The purpose of this discussion is to first consider the online research methods used during my PhD study of multisited Pasifika/Pacific people residing in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, procedures which later became foundational for my postdoctoral work during the pandemic. Second, it offers a consideration of some cultural challenges in using online research methods that will lead us to reflect on how we can maintain respectful sociocultural spaces (vā) while carrying out Pacific research and knowledge-sharing processes online. The rapidly changing landscapes of internet technology and social online environments require us as Pacific researchers to revise/re-vision how we might better connect with our research informants and participants, while maintaining cultural protocols and value systems that ensure our communication is meaningful and that maintain vā.