Born and raised in the Mortlocks region of Chuuk on the low-lying island of Lukunor, Gonzaga’s (Zag) perspective on Pacific policy and the future direction of the Micronesian region is seen through the lens of history, supplemented by indigenous knowledge and significant community engagement. His approach to his areas of study aims to balance respecting the rich traditions of his ancestors and other Pacific Islanders whilst using modern and contemporary ideas and information to their greatest effect in local environments.
With a diverse academic background including a Bachelor of Arts/ Graduate Diploma of Education, Bachelor of Law (LLB), Master of Political Science, and a PhD in Micronesian history, Zag uses this breadth of knowledge to inform his research and field work in the intersecting areas of education, health, climate change, Pacific history, politics, and the law.
A particular area of interest is climate change and adaptation, and the ability to use traditional methods of agriculture and conservation with modern tools and technology. His current projects include the dialogue between the North and the South Pacific, the interaction between constitutional and customary law, China in the North Pacific, the Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the USA as well as health, education, and youth culture in the FSM.
Zag is a researcher/lecturer at the Australian National University in the College of Asia and the Pacific, Coral Bell School of Asia and the Pacific, Department of Pacific Affairs, Canberra.
PROFILE
Position: Researcher / Lecturer
Organization: Australian National University (ANU), College of Asia and the Pacific, Department of Pacific Affairs
Contact: zag_lewis@yahoo.com
LinkedIn: view profile
AREAS OF FOCUS
- Culture
- Education
- Economy
- Environment
- History
- Health
- Immigration
- Indigenous Values
- Law
- Literature
- Religion
- Women’s Rights
Other Areas
- Fishing
LANGUAGE
- Chuukese
- English