He cultivated interests in medical and environmental anthropology and science and technology studies. His research revolves around two loosely related questions. First, how are humans and non-humans attempting to survive, and even thrive, in a time of large-scale and often intense environmental change? These changes are associated with economic, technological, and political shifts that communities negotiate and individuals engage ethically and emotionally. He explored this question in his dissertation where he asked how the Cook Islands, like other small island nations, negotiates an ambiguous and risky position when facing the combined challenges of climate change (including ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and intensified storms), overfishing, marine pollution, severe economic vulnerability to the vagaries of global markets, colonial legacies, and domestic challenges.
A second question explores how the human sciences can facilitate practical solutions to urgent problems.
