Raising awareness of offshore volcanic islands through Māori narratives and stories
We welcome Masters student, Ashlee Sturme, from Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiārangi to the research team, who aims to raise awareness of offshore volcanic islands through the use of mātauranga Māori.
Ashlee’s research interest is in the pūrākau (Māori narratives and stories) of Whakaari, and how these can be integrated into community disaster preparation. Her passion for holistic wellbeing combined with her roles as an educator is driving her research to support emergency preparedness.
Below, Ashlee shares a few things about herself and her research.
Can you tell us about your project on using stories/arts for volcano science communication?
I'm excited to be learning more about the purakau/stories of Ngati Awa (especially pertaining to Whakaari and preparing for a natural disaster), and the science coming from the Beneath the Waves programme. I'm capturing these into a resource we can use with our tamariki and whanau to understand Whakaari and be prepared for a natural disaster.
What inspired you to undertake this work?
Whakaari is a beautiful presence here in the Eastern Bay - she is a creative inspiration! I was already writing a young adult fiction based on her erupting, and learning more about matauranga Māori as part of my own personal journey, when this opportunity with Beneath the Waves came.
What are you most excited about for this research?
Learning the pūrākau and the Beneath the Waves information - we can learn so much from each! I am also excited to be able to curate a resource that is meaningful to the community.
What is the most exciting part of your work?
Meeting amazing people is a highlight. They have so many incredible stories and such a passion for the magic within our planet. And using information is a meaningful way. I sit on our town community emergency response team and we consider what disaster means for our people and how we can mitigate impact. As an educator I know the impact we can have by working with our young people.
Tell us something about yourself? (interests, hobbies etc)
I'm a qualified mental health coach and I love to empower agency to help people live awesome lives. Disaster preparation feels aligned with this because we're able to take control of what we can (making plans, prepping supplies, knowing what might happen) to reduce anxiety and stress and allow us to focus on what is important.