The Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC) at the University of Guam (UOG) plays a crucial role in connecting the rich cultural history of Micronesia with its future. Through various research initiatives and educational programs, MARC actively engages in preserving and sharing knowledge about the region, from ancient artifacts to contemporary political dynamics.
Archaeological Insights and Research
Michael Carson, an associate professor of archaeology, leads significant research efforts at MARC. Drawing on decades of experience across the Asia-Pacific, Carson’s work encompasses various historical periods, contributing to key publications such as Archaeology of Pacific Oceania: Inhabiting a Sea of Islands and the collaborative volume Lina’la’: Portraits of Life at Litekyan. Currently, he is collaborating with the U.S. National Park Service to examine archaeological resources within Guam’s federal park lands. Utilizing ground-penetrating radar technology, Carson aims to identify areas for excavation while carefully navigating potential World War II munitions.
In addition to this project, Carson continues his work at Ritidian, part of the Guam National Wildlife Refuge. His focus here is on expanding public education and building on previous archaeological findings, ensuring that the region’s history is accessible and informative for future generations.
Geopolitical Development and Diplomacy
Kenneth Gofigan Kuper, who serves as an associate professor of political science, CHamoru studies, and Micronesian studies, leads MARC’s initiatives in geopolitics and international relations. A Fellow of the Pacific Academy of Sciences and an Asia-Pacific Obama Leader, Kuper addresses pressing security issues, political status, and regional diplomacy. His ongoing project, the Micronesian Diplomatic History Project, preserves the narratives of Micronesian leaders through interviews and archival research, providing valuable lessons for future diplomatic efforts.
Kuper is also in the process of developing a training program aimed at enhancing regional capacities in negotiation and foreign affairs. His oral history project with former governors of Guam seeks to document their strategies regarding self-determination and economic development, contributing to ongoing discussions about Guam’s political future.
In a notable achievement, Kuper led MARC to become the official archiving partner of the Micronesian Islands Forum in 2025. This partnership includes the creation of a centralized digital timeline and an oral history project designed to support regional policymaking.
Preserving Indigenous Knowledge
UOG professors Melissa Taitano and H. Larry Raigetal are working together on a groundbreaking digital publication centered on Micronesian navigation and seafaring. This initiative is part of UOG’s Island Wisdom program, which seeks to amplify indigenous knowledge. Raigetal is known for teaching traditional navigation and sailing canoe construction, while Taitano, as an assistant professor of library science, documents the cultural systems that guide island communities.
Their project has received support from a Mellon Foundation grant through UOG Press, enabling them to adopt a digital-first publishing approach that prioritizes indigenous perspectives and strengthens regional publishing initiatives.
UOG Press and Regional Voices
UOG Press, affiliated with the Association of University Presses and in partnership with New York University Press, has emerged as a leading publisher for Micronesian authors, artists, and scholars. Its expanding collection of literary and academic works aims to share the narratives and insights of regional creatives with a global audience. By focusing on the cultural, environmental, and historical contexts of Micronesia, UOG Press plays a pivotal role in bringing local voices into classrooms and libraries.
Through its initiatives, UOG Press serves as a vital incubator for writers and artists, providing them with opportunities to realize their aspirations of becoming published authors. By fostering a community of creatives, MARC and UOG Press contribute to the preservation of Micronesian culture and knowledge.
The work conducted by MARC not only safeguards the past but also shapes the future of Guam and its surrounding regions. Through research, publications, and educational efforts, MARC exemplifies how academic institutions can deliver public value, strengthening resilience and deepening understanding within Micronesia.
Research programs at MARC are supported by the University of Guam’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, which facilitates the acquisition of grants and manages research initiatives across the university’s nine research centers. This office oversees more than $60 million in annual awards, further enhancing research that benefits the region’s health, environment, and cultural resilience. For more information on research at the University of Guam, visit www.uog.edu/research.
