Three female academics from The University of the South Pacific (USP) have become the first recipients of the Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) Strategic Fund for Female Academics, an initiative aimed at enhancing gender equity within the institution. This fund is designed to assist female academics on the verge of promotion by allowing them to take time away from teaching to concentrate on their research and publishing efforts.
The awardees include Dr. Buriata Tofinga, a lecturer from the School of Business and Management (SBM); Dr. Amanda Ford, a senior lecturer from the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Oceans and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS); and Dr. Hilda Waqa-Sakiti, a lead researcher and team leader at the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD).
Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor and President, noted that the initiative was launched earlier this year in celebration of International Women’s Day, themed “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” He emphasized that this pioneering initiative aligns with USP’s commitment to increasing the representation of women in academia and represents a crucial step in their broader strategy to promote gender equity at the institution.
Dr. Tofinga’s research investigates the influence of climate change on women’s livelihoods, focusing on how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) can inform social and economic practices in indigenous communities vulnerable to climate change. She expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity the award provides to enhance her research profile and advance her career.
Dr. Ford, whose work centers on coral reef ecology and marine pollution, aims to connect scientific research with effective marine management. She leads several projects aimed at conserving coastal marine ecosystems, including efforts to understand and mitigate plastic pollution in the Pacific.
Dr. Waqa-Sakiti heads a pilot project to assess the health and stability of Fiji’s blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows. Her work also encompasses a broader project evaluating the synergy between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western scientific methods in addressing Climate Change. The research outcomes are expected to inform policy-making for Pacific governments and contribute to international discussions that highlight Pacific perspectives and experiences.