FREYJA Global Team meets in Rapa Nui

FREYJA was hosted by renowned archaeologist and FREYJA co-lead Sonia Haoa and her local research team in Hanga Roa, Rapa Nui from 3-12 March 2026. Team members in attendance included fellow FREYJA leaders Hrefna Dögg Gunnarsdóttir, Maui Hudson, and Janet Jull, along with members of their respective teams.

During the visit, the local research team members (Carlos Edmunds, President of the Consejo de Ancianos; Lily Gonzales, Environment and Anthropology Specialist; Te Pou Huke, Education Specialist; Elena Tuki, Agriculture Specialist; and Tania Shephard, Research Coordinator) shared their knowledge translation-related activities based at agricultural sites and community classrooms. The FREYJA Global Team also had an opportunity to meet with an elders group and representatives of Rapa Nui’s Council of Elders (Consejo de Ancianos de Rapa Nui), who has provided support for both scientific studies on ancient eDNA and the FREYJA project to be undertaken in Rapa Nui.

The research team also had time to discuss the progress of their respective working groups and plan research activities for the next 12 months to achieve the project aims: first, to explore research reciprocity in environmental DNA (eDNA) research with particular focus on ancient eDNA and second, to produce a Practical Framework on Research Reciprocity in ancient eDNA science informed by community engagement activities and tested for scientific feasibility.