Washington, D.C.
November 2022
“Migration in the Midst of a Pandemic: A Case Study of Pacific Islanders in Oregon”
The Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) 2022 Fall Research Conference was held in Washington, D.C. at the Washington Hilton. The theme was Advancing Policy Research with Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives. I presented in the session: Impacts of COVID-19 and Medicaid Expansion on Immigrants & Refugees (Population and Migration Issues) with other student researchers. The session discussants provided extensive feedback on our paper before opening for public Q&A.
Arlington, VA
April 2021
“Migration in the Midst of a Pandemic: A Case Study of Pacific Islanders in Oregon”
(preliminary findings)
The Graduate and Professional Student Association hosted the 2021 Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference. On behalf of our team I presented our preliminary findings on Phase II of the Migration with Dignity work. The abstract can be read here.
Tokyo
January 2020
“Climate Change, Migration, and Vulnerability”
The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF) invited our team to participate in a roll-out event for the Journal of Disaster Research Special Issue on Climate-Migration and related meetings held in Tokyo, Japan. This opportunity afforded us a chance to meet with other researchers across the globe, friends at the Ocean Policy Research Institute, and new friends who attended the roll-out.
Washington, D.C.
March 2019
“Migration of Pacific Islanders to Oregon: Assessing Quality of Life Facilitators and Inhibitors”
Migration from Pacific Islands to mainland United States has been increasing for several factors including education, jobs, family, and health. Though climate change is not (yet) a primary driver of emigration, it is often cited as a reason to not return to the islands. This migration often happens quite quickly, with little planning, and the transition to a new way of life may not occur as seamlessly as hoped.
In collaboration with the Environmental Law Institute, we shared lessons learned from Pacific Islanders in the United States, and how the concept of Migration with Dignity can be built with this shared knowledge.
See the video recording here
Oregon
March 2019
“A Portrait of Migration: Experiences of First-Generation Chuukese, Marshallese, and Palauans in Oregon”
In both Portland and Salem, we shared results of research studies that seek to better understand the motivations and experiences of Micronesians who emigrate and establish new lives abroad. Special attention was given to research results of first-generation Chuukese, Marshallese, and Palauans who have emigrated to Oregon. Community members including some of those we interviewed discussed the study results, implications, and facilitators and barriers for improved lives.
Honolulu
February 2019
“Migration with Dignity: A Case Study on the Livelihood Transition of Micronesians to Portland and Salem, Oregon”
In this international seminar “Aspirations and Livelihood Transition of Migrants from the Pacific to Abroad” at the Imin International Conference Center, East-West Center, we discussed findings from surveys on the issue of so-called Climate Refugees from SIDS. Emphasis was placed on (a) education and training before migration and (b) livelihood re-establishment after migration.
Following the seminar was an experts meeting on “How Religion, Culture and Education Influence the Perception of People about Climate Change.” The events were organized by the Department of International Studies, The University of Tokyo; the Environmental Law Institute; Faculty of Sustainability Studies, Hosei University; and the Ocean Policy Research Institute.
