Irene is an academic at Divine Word University in Papua New Guinea. She focuses on the teaching, learning and research of public health leadership and training. Irene has a PhD that applies Melanesian ways of knowing, being and doing to the curriculum of health workers. Her PhD research provides the opportunity for leadership and knowledge exchange within the areas of Indigenous research, contextualizing public health, gender and development, and the politics of Melanesia. Irene was the lead organiser and Chairperson of the Diwai Post Election Women’s Forum, focusing on the experiences of women in the 2022 national elections.