Reflections
"Relationality requires that you know a lot more about me before you can begin to understand my work"
- Dr. Sean Wilson, Research is Ceremony
Inspired by Research is Ceremony and the relational accountability present within an indigenous research paradigm, I share these reflections with you dear reader, as my work is rooted in a deep sense of responsibility to communicate myself - my intentions, my actions, and my regrets - effectively. You can find extended writings on my substack. For now, find selected reflections from throughout my experiences growing as a researcher.
On Identity
Without getting too personal.. I've always struggled with my identity. Either through the way I was raised, the way my brain works, how I've learned to best represent myself, or a combination of everything at the same time- my identity has always managed to play a role in how I have showed up, been seen, or see myself. It's through my lived experience, that I wanted to learn more about how identity affects processes like learning, communicating, and understanding. Much of my research centers around the design of interactions within educational environments that specifically target growth of STEM identities for learners that also provides pathways to embodying cultural and lived identities. Not to mention the entanglements between digital and physical identities...
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On ʻĀina
For indigenous people, relationship to place is rooted to identity. I've always struggled with identity (see above), and its been through my relationships to the various places I've lived and worked that I have grasped how best I live, love, and learn. I use the term ʻāina (land) here, in honor of my Hawaiian ancestors (kupuna), and the kuleana (privilige/responsibility) that Kanaka (Native Hawaiians) have with living with the land. It's through this cultural lens, that I situate myself, and all that I do.
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On Relationality in STEM
Master Chief. Cats. My Dad. Not in that order- but that's basically how I developed a love for the connection between. Growing up with cool parents who played video games and hosted LAN parties. Seeing how happy people become when together, and how technology plays a role in bringing people closer. How physical mediums, like CAT5 ethernet cables, actually connected devices together, and people played with those devices to make memories. Most of my memories are of Halo..
Turns out video games made me a better person and got me pulling six figures plus benefits •ᴗ•
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