Inaugural Congress of the Pacific Academy of Sciences

The Pacific Academy of Sciences inducted 13 new distinguished Pacific researchers and leaders as Fellows of the Pacific Academy of Sciences: 

• Professor Sir Colin Tukuitonga 
• Associate Professor Dame Teuila Percival 
• Professor Sunia Foliaki 
• Professor Yvonne Underhill-Sem
• Professor Ora Renagi OBE 
• Associate Professor Donald Wilson 
• Professor Bibhya Sharma 
• Professor Sushil Kumar
• Dr Tearikivao (Kiki) Maoate 
• Professor Kamuela Yong
• Professor Satupaitea Viali 
• Associate Professor Kenneth Gofigan Kuper 
• Associate Professor Eric Katovai 

Their election recognises sustained contributions to research, education, policy, and scientific leadership. They join 12 founding Fellows in strengthening Pacific-led knowledge systems and advancing research in service to the region's islands, ocean communities, and peoples across all fields of scholarship. 

During the Congress, the Pacific Academy of Sciences also launched the region’s first AI-powered research platform. The open-science platform will enable researchers, academics, and practitioners across the Pacific to connect, collaborate, and share their work.  

Inspired by ResearchGate, its integrated AI capabilities help users discover Pacific research, identify collaborators, and access regional knowledge. 

The Congress also announced plans to establish a Pacific Young Academy to support early- and mid-career researchers across the region. 

President of the Society, Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding DNZM FRSNZ FRACP, and Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive of the Society, Justine Daw, joined the Congress. Justine says the Society is very pleased to be working alongside outstanding Pacific researchers and scientists.  

“With ocean warming caused by climate change, other environmental pressures, emigration of many educated young people and a growing need for evidence-based decisions in responding to ever more complex regional problems, the role of science and research leadership is more critical than ever before.”    

“However, just as the Pacific Ocean doesn’t divide us – it unites us – research, science, and technology in the region can serve as a foundational language to navigate the future, complemented by traditional knowledge.” 

Distinguished Professor Harding also welcomed the third initiative launched at the Congress: “The Tūpaia Research Grants will support early-career Pacific researchers working on regional priorities such as health, climate change and oceans.  Funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and with financial administration support from the Society, these grants will help build long-term Pacific research capability”.

Other staff and former staff of the Society – Dr Roger Ridley, Salote Austin, Eunique Kitiseni, and Dacia Herbulock – have supported the launch of the Pacific Academy and this Congress.