Martha has worked in the field of development, gender mainstreaming and social safeguarding in Papua New Guinea (PNG). She holds a Masters of Applied Anthropology and Development (Australian National University), Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (Australian National University) and a Bachelor of Journalism (Divine Word University, PNG). Martha’s research interests include gender, early childhood education, local knowledge systems, Arts-based research, decolonising methodologies, with a focus on PNG and the Pacific.
Martha’s PhD research examines the strategies of teachers in embedding gender education within their work. The project seeks to capture teachers’ stories and experiences to generate a nuanced representation of teachers’ efforts across Papua New Guinea. The study uses a merging of the arts-based research methodology, critical indigenous methodology and participatory action research to allow for comprehensive data collection through reflection, discussion and action.