Academic Research, Outreach
MEI was established to blend scholarly research with practical outreach efforts to create awareness on a national stage, while also making a real difference in the lives of individual Marshallese.
Research by MEI team members (both Marshallese and non-Marshallese), whether published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, forums, and special events, or in local settings for organizations and community members, is intended to raise cultural and historical awareness of the Marshallese people.
We collaborate with like organizations to provide venues for Marshallese community members to share their own stories and causes, whether it is a survivor's account of the impact of nuclear testing, a college student sharing her experiences to encourage her peers to pursue higher education, or an activist sharing information about climate change and encouraging Marshallese youth to act.
Publications by current MEI staff, advisors
(partial list)
Mapping Aelon Kein Ad: A Brief Marshallese Culture and Language Textbook, 2nd. ed. MEI, forthcoming.
Jessica A. Schwartz, Radiation Sounds: Marshallese Music and Nuclear Silences. Durham: Duke University Press, 2021.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “How the Sea Is Sounded: Remapping Indigenous Soundings in the Marshallese Diaspora,” in Remapping Sound Studies. Gavin Steingo and Jim Sykes, editors. Duke University Press, 2019.
Jessica A. Schwartz & April L. Brown, “Challenging Voices: Re-Listening to Marshallese Histories of the Present” in The Oxford Handbook of Voice Studies. Nina Eidshiem and Katherine Meizel, editors. Oxford University Press, 2018.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Marshallese Language and Diaspora,” in Amerasia, Vol 43, No. 1 (2017): 105-135.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Matters of Empathy and Nuclear Colonialism: Voices Marked in Marshallese Stories, Songs, and Illustrations,” in Music and Politics (Special Edition on Contemplating Voice). J. Martin Daughtry and Clara Latham, editors, Volume X, Issue 2, Summer 2016.
April L. Brown & Jessica A. Schwartz, Marshallese Culture and Language, A Brief Text. Benetick Maddison & Carmen Chong-Gum, translators. MEI, 2016.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Vocal Ability and Musical Performances of Nuclear Damages in the Marshall Islands," in The Oxford Handbook of Music and Disability Studies. Blake Howe, Stephanie Jensen-Moulton, Neil Lerner, and Joseph Straus, editors. Oxford University Press, 2015: 476–496.
Jessica A. Schwartz, "Marshallese Cultural Diplomacy in Arkansas" American Quarterly, Vol. 67, No. 3, (Sept. 2015): 781-812.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “‘The Young Ladies Are Here’: Marshallese Transgender Performance and Processes of Transformation.” Women and Music, 19 (September 2015): 95-107.
Tina Stege, "An Kōrā Aelōn̄ Kein (These Islands Belong to the Women), A Study of Women and Land in the Republic of the Marshall Islands," in Land and Women, The Matrilineal Factor. Elise Huffer editor. Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, 2008.
Presentations of Note
Benetick Kabua Maddison, One Word Screening (Climate Change in the Marshallese Islands), Virtual, Nov. 2021.
Benetick Kabua Maddison, ARKCCL, 6th Annual Environmental Summit, Climate Change and the Marshall Islands, Virtual, Nov. 2021.
Benetick Kabua Maddison, National Academy of Scientists, hearing on low dose radiation, Virtual, Oct. 2021.
Benetick Kabua Maddison, April L. Brown, Christian Ciobanu, Danielle Samler, "The Impact of Nuclear Testing and Climate Change on Frontline (Marshallese) Communities," 2nd International Peace Bureau World Congress, (Virtual) Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 2021.
Benetick Kabua Maddison, I2SL Conference, Denver, CO, Oct. 2019.
Tina Stege, Peace and Planet Conference, New York City, June, 2017.
Chris Balos & Jessica A. Schwartz, “The Marshall Islands, Nuclear Issues” Native American Forum on Nuclear Issues. University of Nevada Las Vegas, Boyd School of Law, Spring 2017.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “No Future without Memory: A Nuclear Repertoire and Reproduction of the Senses.” Valente Lecture Series, UC Davis, Spring 2017.
Faith Jibas, Nixon Jibas, & Jessica A. Schwartz, “Impacts of Nuclear Development” Native American Forum on Nuclear Issues. University of Nevada Las Vegas, Boyd School of Law, Oct. 2016.
Tina Stege, Keynote Address, Risking Terminal Catastrophe: The Climate Nuclear Nexus, Physician's for Social Responsibility, Des Moines, Iowa Chapter, Sept. 2016.
Jessica A. Schwartz, April L. Brown, Benetick Kabua Maddison, American Historical Association, Pacific Coast Branch, Annual Meeting, Sacramento, CA, August 2016.
Jessica A. Schwartz, Radiation Sounds: Marshallese Music and Nuclear Silences (excerpt). Mind, Medicine, and Culture – a Working Group. Anthropology Department, UCLA, Spring 2016.
Tina Stege, Peace and Planet Conference, New York City, June 2016.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Systemic Interruptions, Inventive Survivals: Healing Songs by Marshallese Women and Chicana Punk Girls” (Panel with Suzanne Cusick) The Music Research Colloquia, the Oxford University Music Faculty, Oxford, UK, Summer 2016.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Silence, Secrecy, and Radiation Songs: Nuclear Aurality and the Politics of Voice,” Nazir Ali Jairazbhoy Lecture Series, Ethnomusicology Department, UCLA, Spring 2016.
Tina Stege, United Nations General Assembly, International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Sept. 2015.
April L. Brown, "Marshallese in Arkansas," Arkansas History Teachers Association Annual Meeting, Little Rock, AR, Sept. 2015.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Exposed Populations: Nuclear Power and Vocal Productions.” Voice Studies Now Conference, UCLA (Panelist), Spring 2015.
Neisen Laukon, "Marshallese Nuclear Stories," Peace and Planet Conference, Oct. 2014
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Singing through Silence: The Politics of Voice in the Nuclear Era.” USC Musicology
Forum, (Professor Joanna Demers), Oct. 2014.
Jessica A. Schwartz, “Giving Voice to Our Nuclear Legacy.” Nuclear Weapons Testing: History, Progress,
Challenges. United States Institute for Peace, Washington DC (Embassy of the Republic
of Kazakhstan), Fall 2014.
Neisen Laukon, "Marshallese Nuclear Stories," WAND Webinar, July, 2014.