Dr Patrick Saulmatino Thomsen

Biography

Born and raised in South Auckland, Seuta'afili Dr Patrick Thomsen is of Samoan descent and received his doctorate from the University of Washington in Seattle. His dissertation work was the first to use Pacific research methodologies to explore the complexities of coming-out for Korean gay men in a transnational setting. His research interests include gender, sexuality, racism, intersectionality, identity politics, Pacific research methodologies, queer theory and development studies. He is currently the Principal Investigator for the Manalagi Project, funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand as our country's first such initiative that seeks to examine how intersecting forms of stigma impact the health and wellbeing of Pacific Rainbow LGBTIQA+ MVPFAFF communities. He is also the Pacific Data Co-Lead for the Human Rights Measurement Initiative.  

Research | Current

• Manalagi: Aotearoa Pasifika Rainbow LGBTIQA+ MVPFAFF Health and Wellbeing Project.
• Pacific Data Co-Lead Human Rights Measurement Initiative.
• Transnational, Queer, Pacific and Moana Mobilities.

Teaching | Current

• PACIFIC 105 - The Contemporary Pacific
• PACIFIC 208 - Special Topic: Gender and the Pacific in a Globalising World
• PACIFIC 307 - Special Topic: Gender and the Pacific in a Globalising World

Postgraduate supervision

PhD in Progress

Peyton Wolfgramm - Leiti in Red: Exploring the Experiences of Identity and Wellbeing of Tongan Trans Women in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Co-supervision: A-P Claire Cartwright (Main) and Dr Fuafiva Fa'alau (Co). PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Auckland.

Fine Koloamatangi - KPop and Pacific Communities (full title TBC). Co-supervision: Dr Caroline Vercoe (Main). PhD in Art History, University of Auckland 

Masters Completed

2020: Tianyi Luo - The Rise of Samoan Language Teaching and Learning in China: A Situational Analysis Informed by Fa'afaletui. Master of Arts, Pacific Studies, University of Auckland.

2020: Bangguo Du - Outside in the Moana? Exploring Chinese International Students’ Experiences of Studying in Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland through Su’ifefiloi. Master of Arts, Pacific Studies, University of Auckland.

Masters in Progress

2022 (expected submission): Deidre Stanley - Title to be confirmed - Master of Arts: Pacific Studies, University of Auckland.

Honours Completed

2020: Veronika Iloilo - Exploring the Utility of Ifoga as a Restorative Justice Mechanism for Sāmoans in New Zealand. Bachelor of Arts Hons. Pacific Studies, University of Auckland.

Distinctions/Honours

• 2020 Health Research Council of New Zealand Emerging Researcher First Grant
• 2019 Te Tomokanga Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Auckland
• 2018 Ph.D. Awarded with Distinction, The University of Washington
• 2018 Sochon Fellow, Center for Korea Studies, The University of Washington 
• 2017 Lisa Brown Fellow, Center for Human Rights, The University of Washington
• 2016 Ewha Woman's University Alumni Association of Seattle Scholarship Recipient
• 2015 Top Scholar Award, The University of Washington
• 2012-13 Global Leadership Scholarship, Seoul National University

Responsibilities

• Undergraduate Advisor - Pacific Studies
• Pacific Early Career Academics Network Coordinator - University of Auckland

Areas of expertise

• Gender Studies
• Queer Theory
• Pacific Studies
• Pacific Research Methodologies
• Qualitative Research Methodologies
• Korean Studies
• Intersectionality
• Politics and International Relations
• Race/Racism 
• Samoan Language and Culture