Pacific Cultures and Digital Innovation

This course explores the nexus between Pacific Indigenous cultural innovation and digital transformation and how they relate to contemporary socio-economic and environmental challenges. The use of cultural innovation is examined together with mainstream technology including the growing digitalization of Pacific life through financial transfer, communication, art, performance, and family connections across the Pacific, and globally. It looks at how the two engage with each other, and how the new digital transformation has impacted on Pacific communities in profound ways. The course is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the digital age, the ways that Pacific peoples are engaging with this complex and rapidly changing phenomenon, and how they are preparing for an intensely digital future. It is also designed to encourage students to use the power of their creativity to develop and lead practical digital projects. The course is trans-disciplinary and encourages creative innovation. It may integrate new elements at short notice to reflect the dynamic nature of both Pacific cultures and digital technology, and their constant state of flux.