Curating a connected community in virtual space: Solomon Islands Research Mentoring Tok Stori

Kabini Sanga; Martyn Reynolds; Ambrose Malefoasi; Irene Paulsen

doi:10.55146/ajie.v52i1.330

Authors

Kabini Sanga Victoria University of Wellington https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0487-4111
Martyn Reynolds Victoria University of Wellington https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5742-1074
Ambrose Malefoasi University of the South Pacific
Irene Paulsen Independant Scholar https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3034-6283

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55146/ajie.v52i1.330

Keywords:

Solomon Islands, mentoring, tok stori, leadership, digital, orality

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between academic mentoring and tok stori, a Melanesian orality, in a digital environment. This relationship is significant where dispersal is an unintended consequence of the way development aid intersects with academic opportunities for scholars from less developed countries, and, consequently, country-focused academic communities remain undeveloped as education becomes individualised. This situation occurs despite the fact that the self is social and education is a common good in many contexts, such as Solomon Islands in Melanesia. Using the contributions of participants in the Solomon Islands Research Mentoring Tok Stori (SIRMT), we discuss the various kinds of support and outcomes that become possible when deliberate attempts are made to create a connected community through mentoring in virtual space. Among the findings are the significance of mentorship to personal and academic growth, the potential of deliberate community building through virtual means in Solomon Islands and virtual tok stori as a catalyst to developments the physical world.

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Author Biographies

Kabini Sanga, Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Kabini Sanga, a Solomon Islands educator, is based at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He mentors emerging leaders throughout Oceania.

Martyn Reynolds, Victoria University of Wellington

Dr Martyn Reynolds is Pacific Research Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He has taught in England, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and New Zealand. He is a researcher, educator and mentor in Pacific education in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region.

Ambrose Malefoasi, University of the South Pacific

Ambrose Malefoasi was a Solomon Islander based at the Institute of Education, University of the South Pacific in Honiara. He was a PhD candidate with the University of the South Pacific.

Irene Paulsen, Independant Scholar

Dr Irene Paulsen is a Solomon Islands educator and independent researcher based in Melbourne, Australia.

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