Dr. Katerina Teaiwa

Biography

Katerina Teaiwa is an interdisciplinary scholar, artist, and award-winning teacher with a rich background that includes Banaban, I-Kiribati, and African American heritage, born and raised in Fiji. She is a Professor of Pacific Studies in the School of Culture, History and Language at the Australian National University and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Katerina is the founder and convener of the Pacific Studies teaching program at ANU, and she has held various leadership roles, including Deputy Director of Higher Degree Research Training. Through her work, she has engaged significantly with Pacific issues, consulting for organizations such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, UNESCO, and DFAT, where she focuses on cultural policy and sustainable development. Katerina is also a practicing visual artist, currently working on a research-based exhibition project titled 'Banaba', which addresses the environmental impacts of phosphate mining. Her contributions to academia and public discourse include commentary published in prominent media outlets and participation in various advisory boards related to Pacific studies. With qualifications including a Bachelor of Science, a Master's in Pacific Islands Studies, and a PhD in Anthropology, Katerina has received several awards for her teaching excellence, including the College of Asia and the Pacific’s Teaching Excellence Award and the national teaching excellence awards at Universities Australia. Her research interests encompass Pacific Islands studies, indigenous concepts of land and environment, and cultural policy, among others.

Research Interests