Building on the strong momentum of previous years, the Roots & Bridges: APRU Indigenous Connections Seminar Series returns in 2026 for its third consecutive year, reaffirming APRU’s commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices, advancing Indigenous‑led scholarship, and strengthening collaboration across the Asia‑Pacific region.
Co‑hosted by Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Universiti Malaya, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Adelaide, VinUniversity, Tecnológico de Monterrey, the University of Melbourne, Waipapa Taumata Rau / the University of Auckland, and CSIRO the 2026 series brings together academics, students, professional staff, and community members from across the APRU network, and beyond, to share knowledge, exchange insights, and explore critical issues affecting Indigenous Peoples and communities.
Following the success of the 2024 and 2025 seminar series, Roots & Bridges continues to serve as a dynamic platform for presenting works‑in‑progress, field‑based research, and community‑engaged methodologies. Since its inception, the series has reached over 600 participants from 17 universities and more than 40 diverse institutions across 20 economies, reflecting its growing relevance and regional impact.
Building on connection: expanding dialogue, research skills, and Indigenous knowledges exchange
A key feature of the 2026 series is the introduction of three panel sessions, scheduled for March, August, and December, designed to foster deeper dialogue, interaction, and cross‑disciplinary engagement. Alongside these new panels, the series will comprise a total of seven virtual seminars, with scholars from more than 10 APRU member universities participating as speakers across diverse fields.
Network researchers will present on a wide range of topics, including Decolonizing Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Science and Engagement Program, language revitalization, Truth Telling and Dialogue, and what it means to be a Good Ancestor, among others. Collectively, the sessions aim to explore and extend opportunities for international research collaboration, while centering Indigenous perspectives and lived experiences.
Reflecting on the significance of the series, the moderator of the seminar series, Emeritus Professor David Romo (Universidad San Francisco de Quito) shared:
“These seminars showcased the lives, the achievements, and the genuine impact on the world that the work of select Indigenous individuals has achieved, inspiring young generations to continue the path of imprinting the wealth of ancestral knowledge on the World. We are certain their examples are a beacon that will guide the way forward of many new generations.”
Seminar aims and shared purpose
Roots & Bridges is guided by a set of clear and interconnected aims:
- Sharing knowledge among APRU member universities, staff, and students
- Connecting researchers, educators, professional staff, students, and communities
- Encouraging collaboration across economies, universities, and disciplines
- Amplifying Indigenous voices and visions within academic and public discourse
By creating inclusive, respectful, and reflective spaces, the series supports dialogue grounded in reciprocity, responsibility, and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing.
Join the 2026 series
As Roots & Bridges enters its third year, APRU invites academics, students, and professional staff from member universities and partner institutions to take part in the upcoming 2026 sessions. By participating, attendees contribute to a growing regional network dedicated to collaboration, learning, and the recognition of Indigenous knowledges as vital to addressing shared global challenges.
Registration details and session updates will be shared throughout the year. Participants are encouraged to join the upcoming seminars and be part of this continuing dialogue across the Pacific Rim.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming seminars
The 2026 program features a diverse and timely range of topics, including:
- Panel Session #4 – Indigenous Research Through Latin American Lenses
August 27, 2026 - Seminar #5 – Truth Telling and Dialogue
September 24, 2026 - Seminar #6 – Being a Good Ancestor
October 29, 2026 - Panel Session #7
December 3, 2026
Together, these sessions reflect the series’ commitment to addressing historical, contemporary, and future‑focused issues through Indigenous‑centered perspectives.