First academic conference for Maori social scientists

Victoria University will next month host New Zealand's first academic conference for Maori social scientists, aimed at inspiring and catalysing a network of Maori social scientists.

To be held at Victoria's Te Herenga Waka Marae, the three-day gathering will include talks from politician and co-leader of the Maori party Hon Tariana Turia, Hon Taihakurei Durie, Moana Jackson, Sir Tipene O’Regan and Hana O’Regan, Chief Judge Joe Williams and Professor Linda Smith.

"This conference, 'Critical Mass', will formalise the creation of MASS—the Maori Association of Social Scientists—so it is a New Zealand first in that sense. The conference will signal that the network is about interrogating structured and institutionalised injustice and moving to the point where there is sufficient Maori social science capability to serve the needs of positive Maori development," says Peter Adds, Head of Victoria’s School of Maori Studies.

The conference is being organised by the School of Maori Studies in conjunction with the Maori Association of Social Scientists Interim Steering Group and the Building Research Capability in the Social Sciences Network.

When: June 11-13, 2008
Where: Te Herenga Waka Marae, Victoria University, Kelburn Parade, Wellington

There are three sub-themes for the conference:

• What Maori social science is: descriptions, debates and directions. Social science is a broad church within the academy. In the Maori world, systematic and rigorous observation, measurement and examination of social phenomena is an even wider, deeper fabric. We anticipate multiple experiences, viewpoints and orientations and would like to encourage debates that assist us to get a better understanding of the field.

• Constraints on Maori social science: issues, barriers and solutions. How do prevailing Pakeha economic and social forces shape the organisation and activities of Maori social scientists? We will hear about the issues facing Maori social scientists, the identification of barriers, suggestions for solving challenges and moving beyond blockages.

• A new network goes fishing: Maori social science research synergies in the 21st century. What linkages, networks and clusters of Maori social scientists already exist and how can these be further engaged in the development of a national network? We will hear about existing networks or clusters of Maori social scientists that are working well to contribute to transformative research and development. After the presentations we will consider how the proposed national network of Maori social scientists can best serve the development of a strong and active sector to advance the broad aims expressed above.

For more information please contact conference project manager Acushla Dee O’Carroll on 021 658 341 or dee@mass.org.nz