About the Pacific Research Colloquium (PRC)

Each year the Department of Pacific Affairs (DPA) at The Australian National University (ANU) brings together early career social science researchers from the Pacific for an intensive workshop series to develop skills for social science research in the Pacific via a program called the Pacific Research Colloquium (PRC).

The PRC is a 10-day intensive research course that is usually offered in person by DPA experts in Canberra, Australia. This year we are pleased to announce that PRC will be offered in person from 27 November to 8 December. Participants will receive intensive introductory training on research design, methodology, methods and planning. In addition to this, participants will have the opportunity to take a couple of content specific micro-credentialed courses that focus on either Pacific politics, gender or security and development which can be credited towards two academic programs at the ANU i.e. the Graduate Certificate of Pacific Development and the Master of Pacific Development.

The PRC is part of DPA’s broader commitment to building research capacity in the Pacific. The PRC is funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the Pacific Research Program. The PRC is a free program for eligible and successful applicants. Successful applicants will be offered:

• Scholarship that will cover the costs of participating in the 10 day intensive course in Canberra, Australia
• Mentorship by an available expert in the Department relative to your field of study or experience
• Opportunity to meet and network with academic staff who specialise in various fields including international relations, governance, security, history, gender, politics and health from the ANU
• Travel, food and accommodation costs for the 10 days.

Who Can Apply

We are inviting applications from Pacific Island students, early career, researchers, development practitioners and professionals who have a demonstrated commitment to research and for whom enhanced research skills will directly impact on their work in academia, civil society, government or news media. Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Island citizens with Pacific Island heritage are all welcome to apply. Applicants should have either:

• A tertiary qualification in a humanities or social sciences subject (including political science, history, anthropology, sociology, geography and economics, among others); and/or
• Five years’ full-time professional experience in civil society or governmental sectors. Applicants do not need to be university graduates; and
• Preferably a current passport.

How to apply

Applicants must complete an online application form here - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DPA-PRC23

On the application form you will be asked to respond to a series of research proposal questions (please note some questions will have a word count restriction). You will be assessed based on your research proposals’ engagement with issues pertaining to Pacific politics, governance and development, and its originality and clarity of purpose.

Please download the document for a preview of the research related questions that will be posed in the application. We advise that you first download the document to draft your responses before you begin the application.

- The application deadline is Monday 14 August 2023 by 11.59pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Successful applicants will be notified a couple of weeks after.

If you have any queries regarding the online application site or PRC in general please contact Dr Gemma Malungahu at dpa@anu.edu.au.