Biographical note

David has lived and worked with Pacific Island communities in Micronesia and New Zealand for over 20 years. In recent years the community of Hatohobei (Toti) in the Republic of Palau has raised concerns over climate event impacts on their island. David is documenting these concerns in the hope that insights my provide direction for other island communities that face similar dynamics and issues.

Research Outline

My research has involved two specific ethnographic fieldwork phases where data was gathered through participant-observation, audio and video recorded semi-formal interviews, attendance of public meetings, participation in state and national level climate change adaptation workshops and general story telling with community members.

My thesis privileges indigenous Pacific values, principles and approaches while highlighting historical and contemporary linkages that inform a deeper understanding of how this relocated community continues to nurture and maintain an empowering connection to the remote island of Hatohobei through its natural resource management and a collective imaginary.

Research topic

Tobi – or not Tobi: Heritage and climate change in Tobi, a relocated community in the Republic of Palau

Research questions

• What is the relationship between cultural heritage of the Tobians and their sense of agency in relation to climate change events?
• How are explicit and implicit traditions engaged in the Tobian responses to climate change events?
• How does global discourse on climate change, including concepts like “tragic victims” and “doomsday scenarios” impact on Tobian notions of agency?
• How do cultural heritage and global discourse on climate change impact on Tobian collective identity and their capacity to act towards the future?

Supervisory Team

Professor Ton Otto

Dr Michael Wood

Research Outputs

• Hatohobei state of mind: A collaborative film documentary with the Hatohobei community.
• Climate Change Adaptation workshop: Echang Village, Palau, 2012.

Conference papers

Forthcoming papers Australian Association for Pacific Studies conference: “Tides of Transformation: Pacific Pasts, Pacific Futures” (1 April 2016).

Teaching Experience

Fifteen years’ experience lecturing, guest lecturing and tutoring in the areas of Pacific Studies, Anthropology and Sociology.

University of Guam, University of Auckland, The Openpolytechnic University of New Zealand, and James Cook University – Cairns.