title: Response of Siliceous Marine Organisms to the Permian-Triassic Climate Crisis Based on New Findings From Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard

authors: Foster, WJ

abstract: Siliceous marine ecosystems play a critical role in shaping the Earth's climate system by influencing rates of organic carbon burial and marine authigenic clay formation (i.e., reverse weathering). The ecological demise of silicifying organisms associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction is postulated to have elevated marine authigenic clay formation rates, resulting in a prolonged greenhouse climate during the Early Triassic. Yet, our understanding of the response of siliceous marine organisms during this critical interval is poor. Whilst radiolarians experienced the strongest diversity loss in their evolutionary history and perhaps also the greatest population decline of silica-secreting organisms during this event, only a small number of Griesbachian (post-extinction) localities that record siliceous organisms are known. Here, we report newly discovered latest Changhsingian to early Griesbachian (Clarkina meishanensis - Hindeodus parvus Zone) radiolarians and siliceous sponge spicules from Svalbard. This fauna documents the survival of a low-diversity radiolarian assemblage alongside stem-group hexactinellid sponges making this the first described account of post-extinction silica-secreting organisms from the Permian/Triassic boundary in a shallow marine shelf environment and a mid-northern paleolatitudinal setting. Our findings indicate that latitudinal diversity gradients for silica-secreting organisms following the mass extinction were significantly altered, and that silica productivity was restricted to high latitude and deep water thermal refugia. This result has potential to further shape our understanding of changes in marine dissolved silica levels and in turn rates of reverse weathering, with implications for our understanding of carbon cycle dynamics during this interval.

text: Response of Siliceous Marine Organisms to the Permian-Triassic Climate Crisis Based on New Findings From Central Spitsbergen, Svalbard Siliceous marine ecosystems play a critical role in shaping the Earth's climate system by influencing rates of organic carbon burial and marine authigenic clay formation (i.e., reverse weathering). The ecological demise of silicifying organisms associated with the Permian-Triassic mass extinction is postulated to have elevated marine authigenic clay formation rates, resulting in a prolonged greenhouse climate during the Early Triassic. Yet, our understanding of the response of siliceous marine organisms during this critical interval is poor. Whilst radiolarians experienced the strongest diversity loss in their evolutionary history and perhaps also the greatest population decline of silica-secreting organisms during this event, only a small number of Griesbachian (post-extinction) localities that record siliceous organisms are known. Here, we report newly discovered latest Changhsingian to early Griesbachian (Clarkina meishanensis - Hindeodus parvus Zone) radiolarians and siliceous sponge spicules from Svalbard. This fauna documents the survival of a low-diversity radiolarian assemblage alongside stem-group hexactinellid sponges making this the first described account of post-extinction silica-secreting organisms from the Permian/Triassic boundary in a shallow marine shelf environment and a mid-northern paleolatitudinal setting. Our findings indicate that latitudinal diversity gradients for silica-secreting organisms following the mass extinction were significantly altered, and that silica productivity was restricted to high latitude and deep water thermal refugia. This result has potential to further shape our understanding of changes in marine dissolved silica levels and in turn rates of reverse weathering, with implications for our understanding of carbon cycle dynamics during this interval.

year: 2023-12-01

title: Understanding the teacher upgrade programme in Samoa: Contextual challenges for in-service teachers, school principals and Ministry personnel

authors: Esera, Epenese

abstract: This article discusses the challenges involved in Samoa’s teacher upgrade programme. The teacher upgrade initiative came about because of the Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture’s aim for all in-service primary and secondary teachers to hold a Bachelor of Education degree. However, challenges including time scheduling, teachers’ wider responsibilities, unsupportive school principals, and communication barriers with the National University of Samoa appear to have hindered the programme’s implementation. This study employed a qualitative research approach which incorporated talanoa (rich conversation) as appropriate to the Samoan context. The findings from the talanoa sessions with teachers, principals and Ministry officials, highlight the social, cultural, educational and economic challenges that the teachers encountered on their qualification upgrade journeys. We argue that the challenges between the upgrading teachers, the schools, the National University of Samoa’s Faculty of Education and the Ministry could be being resolved through the Samoan notion of va (relational space) in which stakeholders generate mutual solutions to the challenges they encounter. This article concludes with recommendations for each of the partners involved in the upgrade programme in order to move forward.

text: Understanding the teacher upgrade programme in Samoa: Contextual challenges for in-service teachers, school principals and Ministry personnel This article discusses the challenges involved in Samoa’s teacher upgrade programme. The teacher upgrade initiative came about because of the Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture’s aim for all in-service primary and secondary teachers to hold a Bachelor of Education degree. However, challenges including time scheduling, teachers’ wider responsibilities, unsupportive school principals, and communication barriers with the National University of Samoa appear to have hindered the programme’s implementation. This study employed a qualitative research approach which incorporated talanoa (rich conversation) as appropriate to the Samoan context. The findings from the talanoa sessions with teachers, principals and Ministry officials, highlight the social, cultural, educational and economic challenges that the teachers encountered on their qualification upgrade journeys. We argue that the challenges between the upgrading teachers, the schools, the National University of Samoa’s Faculty of Education and the Ministry could be being resolved through the Samoan notion of va (relational space) in which stakeholders generate mutual solutions to the challenges they encounter. This article concludes with recommendations for each of the partners involved in the upgrade programme in order to move forward.

year: 2019

title: Indigidata Aotearoa post-event summary report 2023

authors: Te Kotahi Research Institute

subjects: Indigenous Data Sovereignty

abstract: From the 21st to the 24th of August, the inaugural Indigidata Aotearoa 2023 was held at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. In recent years there has been significant advances in the fields of Indigenous data science and sovereignty. The Indigidata Aotearoa programme was designed to develop an understanding of Indigenous data science and sovereignty alongside some of the best researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The fully funded wānanga was open to Māori (tauira, kaitiaki, kaipakihi) participants from across Aotearoa. Applications were received from more than 35 respondents, and 23 tauira Māori attended the inaugural event.

text: Indigidata Aotearoa post-event summary report 2023 From the 21st to the 24th of August, the inaugural Indigidata Aotearoa 2023 was held at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. In recent years there has been significant advances in the fields of Indigenous data science and sovereignty. The Indigidata Aotearoa programme was designed to develop an understanding of Indigenous data science and sovereignty alongside some of the best researchers in Aotearoa New Zealand. The fully funded wānanga was open to Māori (tauira, kaitiaki, kaipakihi) participants from across Aotearoa. Applications were received from more than 35 respondents, and 23 tauira Māori attended the inaugural event.

year: 2023