What's Happening?
Joseph Genz, a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, is actively engaged in research focusing on seafaring, cultural revitalization, diasporic communities, and climate change adaptation and resilience, particularly in the Marshall
Islands and broader Oceania region. His work, spanning over two decades, centers on the revitalization of canoe-building and seafaring with Alson Kelen of Waan Aelon in Majol (Canoes of the Marshall Islands). Genz's research also extends to unexpected areas, including a collaborative project with Harvard University and University College London to explore the connection between Marshallese spatial orientation skills and early onset Alzheimer's disease. He also incorporates his research into his teaching, involving students in projects like oral histories of climate change resilience.
Why It's Important?
Professor Genz's work is crucial for preserving and revitalizing indigenous knowledge systems, particularly Marshallese seafaring, which is a vital cultural heritage. His interdisciplinary approach, linking anthropology with physics and neuroscience, demonstrates the broad applicability of cultural studies to contemporary scientific and medical challenges. The potential to use Marshallese spatial orientation as an indicator for early Alzheimer's disease highlights how traditional practices can offer novel insights into health research. Furthermore, his efforts to involve students in community-centered research projects not only provide valuable hands-on experience but also contribute to understanding and addressing critical issues like climate change adaptation and community resilience in the Pacific.
What's Next?
Professor Genz is pursuing several ongoing projects. He aims to reactivate networks of the Islands of Opportunity Alliance (IOA), a Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, to secure funding for mentoring Pacific Islander students in STEM fields. He has also launched a collaborative student research project on climate with Hawaiʻi Pacific University. In his teaching, Genz is experimenting with novel pedagogies, including an experimental course using 'Dungeons & Dragons' to explore cultural anthropology. His long-term goals include documenting Marshallese stick charts housed in museums globally and co-writing a book on them with a Marshallese colleague, further contributing to the preservation of indigenous knowledge.
Beyond the Headlines
Professor Genz's research delves into the profound connection between culture, environment, and human cognition. The study of Marshallese navigation, which relies on an intricate understanding of ocean swells and natural cues, offers a unique perspective on spatial orientation and memory. This traditional knowledge, developed over centuries, provides a rich dataset for understanding cognitive processes that could be relevant to medical conditions like Alzheimer's. His work also highlights the ethical imperative of collaborative research with indigenous communities, ensuring that their knowledge is respected, preserved, and utilized in ways that benefit them. The integration of such research into university curricula fosters a new generation of scholars who are culturally sensitive and capable of interdisciplinary problem-solving.
