By Matthew Rummel, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
Aloha! My name is Matthew Rummel, and I am currently a senior at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where I am majoring in Political Science with a concentration in international relations. In addition to my major, I am pursuing a Business Minor and a Peace and Conflict Resolution Certificate, which has helped deepen my understanding of global systems, diplomacy, cross-cultural collaboration, and nonviolent social change. Beyond academics, I am actively involved in university life as a competitive ballroom dancer on the UH Mānoa Dancesport team, which has represented our school nationally at USA Dancesport Nationals in Pittsburgh. I am also an avid photographer and videographer with a strong passion for visual storytelling skills I am excited to bring into this next chapter of international fieldwork.
This summer, I am participating in a unique international research program that will take me to South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where I will be working with a team of students and faculty from the University of Hawai‘i and Hasanuddin University in Makassar. Our project centers around the collection of oral histories from communities living in and around Taman Nasional Bantimurung Bulusaraung, a national park known for its biodiversity, karst landscapes, and cultural richness. Each student has been assigned a different village to conduct localized, community-centered research based on themes that emerged through group collaboration and pre-departure workshops. I will be traveling to the village of Rompegading, where I will spend a week engaging with local residents, documenting their experiences, and exploring stories related to land access, community resistance, livelihoods, and social action within the context of national park boundaries.
Our project is grounded in decolonial methodology, meaning we aim to center Indigenous and local knowledge systems rather than impose external frameworks of understanding. We are especially focused on photovoice, a participatory research method where community members use photography and storytelling to express their lived experiences, challenges, values, and aspirations. This aligns well with my background as a photographer and storyteller, and I am deeply motivated to co-create visual narratives that reflect the voices and perspectives of the people I will be working alongside.
Rompegading’s location within or adjacent to the national park makes it a particularly compelling site for examining how conservation policies and development initiatives intersect with the rights, agency, and daily lives of local residents. The tensions between environmental protection and customary land use are central to global conversations on sustainability and justice, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to contribute to these discussions through grounded, community-based research.
Our journey begins in Makassar, where we will stay for several days at Hasanuddin University. This time will allow us to refine our field questions, meet with our academic counterparts, and receive additional cultural and methodological orientation. From there, we will travel to an educational forest managed by the university, which serves as a base for ecological research and community outreach. This will serve as both a transition zone and a learning site before we are welcomed into our respective villages.
While I am excited to immerse myself in a new language, culture, and way of life, I also recognize that this experience will present challenges, especially in terms of cultural adaptation. I understand that the customs, expectations, and rhythms of life in South Sulawesi will differ significantly from what I am used to in Hawai‘i or the mainland United States. However, I am approaching this opportunity with an open mind, humility, and a strong willingness to learn. I believe that my prior experience in cross-cultural engagement, my training in political science and peace studies, and my commitment to ethical storytelling will help me navigate these differences with respect and sensitivity.
To make the most of my time in Sulawesi, I plan to fully embrace the immersive nature of this field school. I will actively participate in daily village life, listen attentively to the stories and concerns of community members, and collaborate closely with my research partners and local
facilitators. I will document not only the content of the interviews but also the non-verbal elements of trust-building, hospitality, and mutual exchange that define meaningful fieldwork. In the evenings, I plan to review my notes and footage, reflect on the day’s insights, and prepare thoughtfully for the next day’s conversations.
This program is more than just an academic exercise it is a formative step in my development as a scholar, storyteller, and global citizen. Through this field school, I am gaining hands-on training in qualitative research methodology, including ethical interviewing practices, informed consent, field journaling, data triangulation, and collaborative dissemination. These are essential skills for any career in international affairs, peacebuilding, development, or community-based research.
Ultimately, I hope to walk away from this experience with a deeper understanding of the structural and cultural dynamics that shape environmental justice in Indonesia, as well as enduring relationships with the people of Rompegading and my fellow researchers. I am also excited about the possibility of producing a visual project that uplifts community voices and contributes to the growing field of participatory research and collaboration. This project represents a rare convergence of my academic interests, creative skills, and personal values, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to take part in it.
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