Alyssa Thomas

Contact

Email: alyssa.thomas@vuw.ac.nz
Office: Distance student

Qualifications

BSc Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University Wellington (2021)

MIndS Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University Wellington (2023)

PhD thesis

Working Title

Tohu: informing a decolonial response to environmental change between Antarctica and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Supervisors

• Dr Holly Winton
• Prof. Ocean Mercier

Project objectives and description

The overarching goal of this research is to observe tohu of the Antarctic environment to recognise early indicators of environmental change, anticipate its effects between Antarctica and Aotearoa and inform marine protection, adaptation and resilience for Aotearoa coastal communities. The objectives to achieve this goal are grouped under three headings; Observe Environmental Changes in Antarctica Through Tohu and Maramataka, Evaluate the Connection of Tohu and Kaitiakitanga in Antarctica, and Connect Antarctica with Patuharakeke (my hapū based in Whangārei) through Tohu.

Publications

Thomas, Alyssa, et al. "Helping the ‘Helping hands’: supporting Māori postgraduates to advance community aspirations for environmental research." Higher Education Research & Development 44.2 (2025): 532-547. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2024.2393118