From 1972 to 1973, Thaman worked as a research assistant in the United States at the University of California in Santa Barbara where she graduated with a master's degree in education.
[3] She has also held management positions at the university including Director of the Institute of Education, Head of the School of Humanities, and Pro-vice-chancellor.
[7] She is currently a Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development and member of the Committee of Experts on the Application of the Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
[8] Selected poetry by Thaman was included in UPU, a curation of Pacific Island writers’ work which was first presented at the Silo Theatre as part of the Auckland Arts Festival in March 2020.
[9] UPU was remounted as part of the Kia Mau Festival in Wellington, New Zealand in June 2021.