Cassandra Preece defended her thesis on “Speaking for the Nation: Representation through Indigenous and minority language recognition in Taiwan, New Zealand and Southeast Asia” on 21 Nov 2025!

Cassandra’s “sandwich” dissertation argues that Indigenous and minority language recognition offers a novel way to examine how political representation unfolds in practice. Across three chapters, she traces how group claims are articulated and institutionalized by diverse actors working within multiple settings, and how the outcomes of representational work shape perceptions of inclusion and legitimacy. Her research employs a mixed-methods design, combining elite interviews and institutional case studies on Taiwan and New Zealand with a cross-national survey analysis of minority respondents in seven Southeast Asian countries. The first chapter finds that Taiwan’s Council of Indigenous Peoples drives Indigenous language policy, demonstrating how representation occurs through executive rather than legislative institutions. The second chapter argues that M?ori leaders and policy actors in New Zealand advanced and articulated M?ori language priorities across multiple institutions. The third chapter analyzes survey data from Southeast Asia and finds that official language recognition is associated with higher perceptions of democracy and feelings of national pride among minority speakers. Together, the chapters demonstrate that language recognition is negotiated across multiple actors and sites, and can enhance legitimacy and belonging for minority communities.

Cassandra’s defence was chaired by Dr. Michelle Dion and her supervisory committee consisted of Dr. Netina Tan (supervisor), Dr. Katie Boothe and Dr. Karen Bird. Dr. Joel Fetzer (Seaver College, Pepperdine University) was the external examiner.

Congratulations Cassandra!