Twenty-Third International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

  • Oceanic Journeys: Multicultural Approaches in the Humanities
  • 25-27 June 2025
  • University of Hawaii, Hilo, USA + Online

Themes and Special Focus

Founded in 2003, the New Directions in the Humanities Research Network is brought together by a common interest in established traditions in the humanities while at the same time developing innovative practices and setting a renewed agenda for their future. We seek to build an epistemic community where we can make linkages across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries.

The Twenty-Third International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities calls for research addressing the following annual themes and special focus:

  • 2025 Special Focus—Oceanic Journeys: Multicultural Approaches in the Humanities
  • Theme 1: Critical Cultural Studies
  • Theme 2: Communication and Linguistics Studies
  • Theme 3: Literary Humanities
  • Theme 4: Civic, Political, and Community Studies
  • Theme 5: Past and Present in the Humanistic Education

Research Network Chair

Dr. Asun López-Varela

Dr. Asun López-Varela

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

Local Conference Chair

Dr. Patsy Y. Iwasaki

Dr. Patsy Y. Iwasaki

Associate Professor, University of Hawaii, Hilo, USA

Steering Committee

Clint K. P. Anderson

Clint K. P. Anderson

Assistant Professor of Education, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Leanne P. Day

Leanne P. Day

Associate Professor of English, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Dane "Malu" M. Dudoit

Dane "Malu" M. Dudoit

Uluākea Facilitator and Lecturer, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Francis Dumanig

Francis Dumanig

Associate Professor of English, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Jenni Guillen

Jenni Guillen

Instructor of Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Rachel Hualani Loo

Rachel Hualani Loo

Director of Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Patsy Y. Iwasaki

Patsy Y. Iwasaki

Associate Professor of English, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Colby Miyose

Colby Miyose

Associate Professor of Communication, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Kirsten Møllegaard

Kirsten Møllegaard

Professor of English, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Rayna K. Morel

Rayna K. Morel

Associate Professor of Communication, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

Kimberly Russell

Kimberly Russell

Lecturer of English, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo

2025 Plenary Speakers

The Twenty-Third International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities will feature plenary sessions by some of the world’s leading thinkers and innovators in the field.

Jacquelyn Pualani Johnson

Jacquelyn Pualani Johnson

Professor Emeritus, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, USA

"Ola Hou: Living History – Weaving Our Stories, Language, and Culture in Performance"

Clint Anderson

Clint Anderson

Assistant Professor of Education, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, USA

"Navigating Currents of Change: Educators as Cultural Stewards and Storytellers"

Manulani Aluli Meyer

Manulani Aluli Meyer

Director of Indigenous Education, University of Hawai‘i -West Oahu, USA

"Indigenous Epistemology: A Radical (K)new World for Humanity"

Marianne Yasuko Takamiya Wik

Marianne Yasuko Takamiya Wik

Professor, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, USA

"El liderazgo de la astrofísica en la diversificación de las ciencias STEM" (in Spanish)



Conference & Network Partners

Media Package

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