Priyam Maharaj, Otago University

Priyam’s research topic: Being Boys: Social Constructions of Boyhood in Fiji

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to my supervisors, the University of Otago, DevNet, and the Fiji Ministry of Education for their invaluable support. This research would not have been possible without the generous funding from DevNet and MFAT, which was crucial to its success. I would also like to convey my gratitude to the respective heads of schools, staff, and students who participated in this study. Thank you for your candour, generosity, and kindness in accommodating me.

Returning to Fiji to conduct this study and working closely with children and young people has been an enriching and rewarding experience. The challenges of researching in school settings have enhanced my skills as a researcher and truly deepened my enjoyment of the process. The research was carried out during two separate trips, each lasting two months. I spent time at four different schools (three secondary and one primary), conducting focus groups and interviews with 62 boys and three teachers. I was also fortunate to observe various aspects of boys’ lives and practices during excursions and sporting events. This experience significantly deepened my understanding of the social fabric in which their identities are formed and lived. The relationships I built with the boys in this study, along with their openness in sharing their experiences, can enhance our understanding of young masculinities and child-centred research methodology.

Priyam Maharaj, PhD student, Otago University”