Brings enthusiasm and expertise to class.
Dr. Emma Powell serves as a Lecturer in Te Tumu, the School of Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies, within the Humanities Division at the University of Otago, a position she has held since June 2021. Her academic background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Pacific Studies from Victoria University of Wellington in 2021, a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature with First Class Honours from the University of Auckland in 2013, a Bachelor of Arts Honours in English Language and Literature from Victoria University of Wellington in 2011, and a Bachelor of Commerce and Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington in 2010. Powell's doctoral thesis, titled ‘Akapapa‘anga Ara Tangata: Genealogising the (Cook Islands) Māori Imaginary,’ supervised by Emalani Case, Arini Loader, and April K. Henderson, explores Cook Islands Māori genealogical practices—‘akapapa‘anga ara tangata’—as a cultural practice, paradigm, and research methodology. The work examines relationality through concepts like piri‘anga, vā, and spiral time, drawing on 2019 fieldwork interviews in Rarotonga to address indigenous historiography, nationhood, futurity, colonial disruptions, migration reframed as expansive networks, land conflicts, COVID-19 responses, and sustainable development agendas.
Powell's research interests span Pacific Studies, Literary Studies, public policy, public and oral history, archives, and curation. Her current projects investigate the political, social, cultural, and genealogical imbrications of New Zealand's imperial Realm and include collaborations such as a podcast series with Dr. Jess Pasisi, Dr. Melanie Bean, and Dr. Eilorah Malifa documenting stories of Pacific women early career researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has contributed forewords, such as in Pacific Voices XXI (2024), poetry including ‘When we came’ published in Span: journal of the South Pacific Association for Commonwealth Literature and Language Studies, and pieces in special issues like ‘The Invisibility of the Realm of New Zealand.’ Powell has delivered key presentations, including the plenary ‘Puka(puka): Books and the Pacific’ at the University of Otago Centre for the Book Symposium (2022), and sessions at the Pacific Islands Universities Research Network Conference (2023). In recognition of her contributions, she received the Tōfā Sāili Pacific Early Career Award for Distinction in Research in 2024. At Te Tumu, she coordinates the Master of Indigenous Studies programme, facilitates sessions for Cook Islands early career researchers, supervises Masters and PhD students, and directs Te Puna Vai Mārama, the Cook Islands Centre for Research.