Our Research
In Fiji, the idea of solesolevaki – coming together to work towards a shared goal – has always been a cornerstone of community life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this sense of unity helped communities pull together as the health system faced some of its toughest challenges. The pandemic exposed years of neglect in the health sector, but it also offered a chance to rethink how the system could be made stronger and more prepared for future crises.
Meet the team
Dr Sharon
McLennan
Principal Investigator
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
DR akisi
Ravono
Associate Investigator
University of Fiji
Dr Apisalome
Movono
Associate Investigator
The University of the South Pacific (USP)
Dr Johanna
Thomas-Maude
Postdoctoral Fellow
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Avendra
Prakash
PhD Student
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Patrick
Tamaicakai
Masters Student
Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
Latest News
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Key Informant Interviews in Fiji: What We Learned About leadership, Innovation, and Grief
In late June – July Sharon had the privilege of following up our talanoa earlier this year. She met with and interviewed twelve Fijian health leaders and workers, exploring how the health system responded to and recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. These interviews with healthcare workers, administrators, and frontline responders across the archipelago – from remote maritime islands to urban hospitals – uncovered stories of remarkable resilience, alongside profound grief and ongoing trauma that continues to shape Fiji’s recovery. The Hidden Cost of Crisis Leadership The motivation for this research was the crisis faced by Fiji during 2021, when the…
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Stories and the Polycrisis: Reflections from the Development Studies Association (DSA) Conference 2025
From 25th to 27th June 2025, the annual Development Studies Association (DSA) conference was held at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. Under the theme Navigating Crisis: Dangers and Opportunities in Development, the conference explored how development theories and practices engage with ongoing crises and uncertain futures, and what opportunities might arise for more just and transformative systems. Our postdoctoral fellow, Dr Johanna Thomas-Maude attended in person in Bath, while Primary Investigator Dr Sharon McLennan joined virtually from Fiji, where she is undertaking a second round of talanoa discussions as part of our ongoing health system resilience project.…
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“No plans about us without us”: Dr Akisi Ravono Presents at UPSM & HS International Health Conference
Dr. Akisi Ravono presented at the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine & Health Sciences International Health Conference on the COVID-19 health care experiences of iTaukei communities in Fiji. Her findings emphasised the importance of community involvement in decision-making and highlighted the need for culturally informed healthcare practices and improved disaster preparedness.
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Listening and Learning: Reflections on our First Fieldwork Trip in Fiji
We are thrilled to have begun data collection for our project on reimagining health system resilience in Fiji. Over the past three weeks, our team has travelled across the country, engaging with healthcare workers, community members, and other key health sector stakeholders to understand their experiences during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Through these conversations, we have gained deeper insights into the challenges faced by the health sector, as well as the resilience and adaptability demonstrated by individuals and communities. Our research has focused on three key areas: the experiences of key health sector stakeholders, the experiences of communities, and…
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New article: Fiji’s HIV crisis is a regional challenge that demands a regional response
Dr Sharon McLennan has published a piece in The Conversation on the HIV outbreak in Fiji and implications of this for the Pacific region more broadly. Read the article here.
Exploring Fijian Health System Resilience 