5 questions with Lefaoali’i Dion Enari
Lefaoali’i Dion Enari is a lecturer in sport leadership and recreation at AUT and also a PhD candidate exploring Fa'a Samoa (Samoan way) in the Faculty of Society and Design, Bond University, Australia.
We asked him five questions about his research and the importance of placing sustainability at the heart of research activity.
How did you come to a career in academia?
I was doing my PhD in Australia and I saw this awesome opportunity at AUT as a Research Active Lecturer, applied for it and the rest was history. I am home now.
Just how important is pursuing sustainability through research?
It is crucial, for we must ensure all the awesome work happening is not only done for us now, but future generations to come.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your research?
By ensuring my research is done by and with the people. Through ensuring my research is community based and centred, it allows for everyone to shape and position how we move forward, together.
What motivates you?
Seeing my students become social change advocates, expanding their thinking and challenging the status quo is what motivates me. Seeing the awesome work in our communities, and being able to collaborate with these people to make a better difference gives me the motivation to keep on pushing.
What advice would you give to new or aspiring researchers?
We are in a position of privilege. I pray that we may use these positions to be servants to our communities and future generations through our research. Use your research to make the world a better place. We can do it.