Professor Underhill-Sem is a Pacific feminist development geographer whose research highlights the intersections of gender relations with familial, generational, socio-cultural, religious, and political relations. Of Cook Islands, Niuean and Pakeha descent, Yvonne's research covers climate mobility, labour mobility, fresh produce marketing, maternities, menstruation and embodiment in the Pacific.

Professor Underhill-Sem's scholarship has been recognised by the Royal Society Te Apārangi, and New Zealand Geographical Society. Her leadership in tertiary education was recognised in her becoming a Member of the NZ Order of Merit. She is currently a member of International Science Council expert panel on advancing gender in scientific organisations.