Line-Noue Kruse, a Pacific Studies Associate Editor and coordinator in the Faculty of Culture, Language & Performing Arts said, “The Asian American Pacific Islander is celebrated in America during the Month of May and is planned to be hosted from [May 8 and 9] here at BYU–Hawaii.”
Kruse said the AAPI would showcase the unveiling of "Intersections: Journal of Asia Pacific Undergraduate Research," a new journal for to students publish their research. During that week, "we are going to include an art exhibition, and several activities coordinated with the Student Leadership and Service and cultural clubs to show the dedication and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the American context and in the Pacific context," she said.
For the first "Intersections" volume, 22 students submitted their works and were reviewed. Kruse said BYUH student Jade Gandalf was chosen as the graphic designer of the journal. The journal’s publication will be once yearly during the AAPI month in partnership with the Undergraduate Research Conference and the Reading Writing Lab, said Kruse. “Due to some printing issues, the launch of the journal will be done in the Fall Semester 2023,” she said.
Why participate in the "Intersection?"
Kruse said the journal "Intersection" is a space created for students taking 300-level classes to present at the Undergraduate Research Conference and get feedback to improve their research. She said after the conference, "they can come to me to publish their research, as a space in academia, and submit it to me by a deadline.”
In partnership of the Reading Writing Lab, “You meet with the same tutor twice a month, every month, [throughout each] semester [before the deadline],” said Kruse.
She explained the journal consists of four sections where the different topics of research fall under the decision of a board. “This board determines which professor will be available and has the expertise to peer review your article. You can go through the process of what it's like to actually publish an article,” Kruse said.
Digital space
As well as publishing the journal, Kruse said she created a podcast, called "Talanoa," where she interviewed students and students interviewed other students to “market student’s research in the digital space.” She said she believes, “This is where a lot of future employers and investors, but also graduate programs will be able to find you.”
Kruse explained the podcast is for students to tell their stories and research, explaining why they did their research, the methodology and the frameworks they used to analyze and examine their research. “You get to tell your own story as to why the research here at BYU–Hawaii helped you,” said Kruse.
Heimuli Paletua, a sophomore human resources major from Tonga, shared in her "Talanoa" podcast episode her research about Tongan land rights and their impacts on Tongan women. She said after having a conversation with one of her friends and being asked, “Do you think inequality is happening in Tonga towards land distribution,” she was inspired to choose that topic and write about it.
Paletua described her research as a learning opportunity for things happening in Tonga that she didn’t know about. She said she is also more curious about looking through other roles in Tonga, the place of women and land laws.
More information on "Intersections" and "Talanoa" can be found on the Intersections' digital space on the Jonathan Nāpela Center for Hawaiian & Pacific Studies webpage.