Dr Patrick Saulmatino Thomsen

BA Pol Sci Auckland, MA International Studies Seoul National University, Ph.D. The University of Washington - Seattle

Lecturer

In: Maori and Pacific Studies » Faculty of Arts

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 developing two new research projects, the first looks at the way Pacific diaspora populations in South Korea encounter racialized hierarchies and how this affects the ways in which Pacific identities are practiced in Asia. The second focuses on the health and wellbeing of Pasifika Rainbow populations in New Zealand.

Research | Current

Pacific peoples in South Korea
The health and wellbeing of Pasifika rainbow communities in New Zealand
How Korean gay men navigate coming-out and gay subjectivity in an increasingly cosmoplitan queer world

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

Distinctions/Honours

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

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

Selected publications and creative works (Research Outputs)

Thomsen, P. (2019). Israel Folau’s demise is also partially ours. https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/israel-folaus-demise-is-also-partially-ours/. Related URL.
Naepi, S., McAllister, T., Thomsen, P., Leenen-Young, M., Walker, L. A., McAllister, A. L., ... Suaalii, T. (2019). The Pakaru ‘Pipeline’: Māori and Pasifika Pathways within the Academy. New Zealand Annual Review of Education, 24, 142-159. 10.26686/nzaroe.v24i0.6338
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/50610
Other University of Auckland co-authors: Sereana Naepi, Tara McAllister, Marcia Leenen-Young, Tamasailau Suaalii
Thomsen, P. S. (2019). Samoan Queer Lives By Dan Taulapapa McMullin and Yuki Kihara [Book Review]. Journal of New Zealand Studies, NS29 (December 2019), 108-111. 10.26686/jnzs.v0iNS29.6269
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/49718
Thomsen, P. S. (2019). Coming-Out in the Intersections: Examining Relationality in How Korean Gay Men in Seattle Navigate Church, Culture and Family through a Pacific Lens. Journal of Homosexuality, online first10.1080/00918369.2019.1695423
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2292/49461
Thomsen, P., & Jun, M. (2018). Expanding Korea’s Development Paradigm? The Case for Closer Samoa-ROK Relations. 지역발전연구 = Journal of Regional Studies and Development, 27 (2), 173-214. 10.18350/ipaid.2018.27.173
Thomsen, P. (2016). ‘Hobgoblin’ logic on Pacific gay rights has distinctly Western roots. The Spinoff Related URL.
Lee, S., Chun, C., Suh, H. J., & Thomsen, P. S. (2015). Middle Power in Action: The Evolving Nature of Diplomacy in the Age of Multilateralism. , Special Report. Seoul, South Korea: The East Asia Institute. Related URL.