Associate Professor Frances C. Koya Vaka'uta is a Pacific cultural development specialist whose work advances the integration of culture, heritage, education, Indigenous and Traditional knowledge systems, and public policy in sustainable development across the Pacific. Her research and professional interests focus on culture and education, Pacific epistemologies and pedagogies, Pacific research approaches, and the role of culture in strengthening Pacific societies and development outcomes.

As Team Leader for Culture for Development at the Pacific Community (SPC) she leads regional initiatives that support cultural policy, safeguarding heritage, and culture-based development across Pacific Island countries and territories. She led the development of the Pacific Regional Culture Strategy 2022-2032 and currently heads SPC's coordination of the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC). Frances has contributed to regional and global cultural policy processes, including UNESCO's Expert Group for the revision of the Framework for Cultural Statistics and  serves on the PIFS-led CROP Oceans Panel as Traditional Knowledge Advisor She is recognised for bridging academic scholarship and development practice to strengthen the role of culture in Pacific development, climate action, and regional cooperation.