Research interests
I am a geographer with a background in social anthropology whose research is concerned with rural development, peripherality, and marginality. My research seeks to contribute to local and regional development, island studies, and participatory development on a theoretical and practical level. I am currently conducting PhD research on rural development and climate resilience in Fiji. Previously, I have conducted field-based research in the Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.
Personal background
I hail from a small town near the Swiss Alps and partly grew up on an outer island in the Cook Islands. Ever since I am interested in development issues of ‘remote’ places and the quality of life of people living in ‘peripheral’ areas.
Teaching experience
GE203 ‘Social and Economic Geography of the Third World’, USP
EV201 ‘Environment and Society in the South Pacific’, USP
GE303 ‘Geography of Development in the Pacific’, USP
GEOG457 ‘Advanced Urban Geography’, Otago
GEOG402 ‘Development Planning and Practice’, Otago
Memberships
Aotearoa New Zealand Development Studies Network (DevNet)
Development Studies Association (DSA), UK
Education in Small States Research Group (ESSRG), University of Bristol
European Association for Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI)
European Society for Oceanists (ESfO)
New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS)
Further details of my research and publications are available on my university research profile.
