The Pacific Early Career Academics Network (PECAN)
The Pacific Early Career Academics Network (PECAN) is a cross-University collaboration community open to all Pacific early career academics and Pacific doctoral students at the Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland.
About PECAN
PECAN centres Pacific ways of relationship building, embedded in values of service and meaningful collaboration. It seeks to build the capacity of Pacific Early Career Researchers (ECRs) at our University by:
- Facilitating the publishing of high-impact research outputs.
- Developing collaborative transdisciplinary research relationships across multiple faculties and disciplinary areas.
- Supporting Pacific ECRs to better understand the nuances of academic continuation and promotion processes, often part of the invisible barriers that can hinder the development of Pacific research leadership at our University.
PECAN work programme
The PECAN work programme is articulated under three pou (pillars):
- Pacific research excellence and collaboration
- Pacific ways of networking and relationship building
- Pacific ECR career development and leadership
Academic citizenship and mentorship
A central focus of PECAN is the development of academic citizenship. This is achieved by:
- Supporting PECAN members through academic peer mentoring.
- Expanding research capabilities.
- Enhancing academic development.
- Providing a space to discuss various challenges and strategies to manage and balance academic demands.
PECAN activities
Our PECAN activities include:
- Whanaungatanga events: Strengthening connections within the community.
- Research and teaching workshops: Enhancing skills and knowledge.
- Overnight and day writing retreats: Fostering focused and productive writing time.
PECAN aligns with several strategic priorities outlined in Taumata Teitei, including growing Pacific scholarship in areas of transdisciplinary priority and investing in equity objectives, particularly the growth of the Pacific research workforce.
PECAN Establishment and leadership
PECAN was established in 2020 and led by Seutaʻafili Dr Patrick Thomsen
following multiple cross-university hui among Pacific ECRs at Waipapa Taumata
Rau | University of Auckland. It is the first Pacific early career academic
network at the University and in Aotearoa New Zealand and has been instrumental
in creating research and career development pathway plans for Pacific scholars.
PECAN is currently co-led by Dr Moeata Keil and Dr Sisikula Sisifa.
Access support via Fofonga
Pacific Early Career Researchers can also access the University's Fofonga platform. This platform fosters Pacific research excellence by:
- Aiding researchers, faculties, and units in identifying opportunities.
- Building capacity.
- Connecting to disseminate Pacific research in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Region.
Learn more about events and resources available via the Fofonga website.
Contact for further informaiton
Dr Moeata Keil
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Arts and Education, Sociology
Dr Sisikula Sisifa
Lecturer, Business School, Management and International Business