USP doctoral candidate Alfred Tuikoro Tora is returning to his roots with research that places Indigenous Fijian knowledge at the centre of community resilience against climate change.
Tora, a son of Koro Island with maternal ties to Rotuma, has begun a PhD in Psychology at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala Campus. After six years living in Utah with his wife Grace and their three sons, he comes back equipped with a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources and Public Administration from USP and a Master’s in Organisational Psychology from Birkbeck, University of London.
His research examines how mataqali-owned businesses draw on iTaukei worldviews to build both psychological and economic resilience as climate pressures intensify. He wants to document how indigenous communities define resilience, identify the values and practices they rely on, and show how those systems are mobilised to sustain enterprises. “I want to validate and uplift indigenous knowledge as legitimate and effective foundations for economic and psychological resilience,” Tora says. He aims to amplify Indigenous voices in development debates and translate findings into applied research, policy input, teaching, and practical community support.
Tora envisions roles beyond academia—working as an indigenous knowledge systems strategist, contributing to regional think tanks, or developing curricula that embed place-based knowledge. He hopes his PhD will inform sustainable development approaches that respect cultural values while strengthening community autonomy and livelihoods.
Context and regional parallels
Tora’s work echoes a broader regional movement: Pacific researchers are increasingly focusing on indigenous perspectives, land stewardship and community-led solutions to climate and development challenges. Such scholarship often aims to reconnect policy with village-level knowledge and customary governance, providing practical alternatives to top-down models.
Why this matters (brief explanation)
– Indigenous worldviews are often place-based and community-centred, offering long-standing practices for resource stewardship and social cohesion—key assets when coping with climate impacts.
– Framing resilience in cultural terms can improve uptake of adaptation strategies because they align with local values and governance structures.
– Translating these insights into policy, curricula, and business models can help mataqali-owned enterprises remain viable while preserving social and ecological systems.
Practical suggestions to add value to this story (for editors or USP communications)
– Include photos of Tora in community settings or on Koro Island to humanise the story.
– Profile a mataqali-owned enterprise as a case study to illustrate the research in action.
– Link Tora’s research goals to specific regional policy processes or adaptation programs to show potential impact.
– Offer readers information on how to follow or engage with his research (e.g., contact email, upcoming talks).
Summary
Alfred Tora’s PhD at USP investigates how iTaukei worldviews support psychological and economic resilience in mataqali-owned businesses facing climate change. He aims to validate Indigenous knowledge, influence policy and curricula, and strengthen community autonomy.
Positive outlook
Tora’s work has the potential to bridge academic research and community practice, empowering Fijian communities to steer their own sustainable development. By centring Indigenous knowledge, his research could produce culturally grounded models of resilience that are both effective and enduring.
Event note
Students and the public interested in research and academic opportunities can learn more at the KPMG USP 2025 Open Day at the Laucala, Lautoka and Labasa campuses on Friday.
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