Abstract:
As social beings, we all have available a repertoire of social and personal identities, the salience of which varies with social context. However, researchers who identify as Māori, and who undertake research about or for Māori, often face a unique set of identity challenges. This presentation will critically examine the complex nature of the barriers encountered by Māori researchers working at the nexus of Māori and academic communities. In particular, I will address the role of Māori identity in shaping the research experience and examine the tensions that can exist for Māori social scientists as they mediate complex, and sometimes conflicting, research expectations.