Kolaia Raisele

Kolaia Raisele, originally from the Fiji Islands, is pursuing a PhD at La Trobe University's Department of Social Inquiry in Melbourne, Australia, focusing on youth leadership and civic engagement in the Pacific Islands. Kolaia’s academic journey began at the University of Canterbury, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Political Science from 2013 to 2015, igniting a passion for Pacific Studies.

Kolaia furthered his studies at the University of the South Pacific, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Pacific Studies from 2017 to 2018 and a Master of Arts in Pacific Studies from 2019 to 2020. To enhance his teaching capabilities, he also obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching in 2021.

Since August 2022, Raisele has been engaged in PhD research at La Trobe University, contributing significantly to the understanding of Pacific Island youth leadership. Since March 2023, he has served as a Casual Academic in the Department of Social Inquiry, fostering a collaborative academic environment. Kolaia's work reflects a deep commitment to advancing Pacific Studies and empowering youth to shape their communities.