Members | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Accessibility links

Members

General enquiries

Email: acpir@usc.edu.au

Street address

UniSC Sunshine Coast
90 Sippy Downs Drive
Sippy Downs
Queensland 4556
Australia

Postal address

Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research
UniSC Sunshine Coast

Locked Bag 4
Maroochydore BC
Queensland 4558

Australia

Our people

Core researchers
Members

UniSC

  • Adj Prof John Chapman - Pacific Islands developing fruit industries
  • Adj A/Prof Richard Markham - Sustainable natural resource management
  • Adj Research Fellow Mr Peter Walton - Knowledge information specialist - Pacific Agriculture Information System (PAIS)
  • Adj Research Fellow Dr Bree Wilson - Integrated pest management, biological control, plant pathology 
  • Prof John Herbohn - Reforestation for livelihood strategies of smallholders and communities in tropical countries
  • Adj Research Fellow Dr Pranesh Kishore - Development of high-quality pearl production (based in Fiji)
  • Adj Research Fellow Roselyn Kumar - Future of Pacific Islands region (climate change adaptation, culture, livelihood sustainability)
  • Adj Research Fellow Dr Monal Lal - Pearl oyster genetics (based in Fiji)
  • Dr Thane Militz - Sustainable development of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) marine aquarium trade
  • Adj A/ Prof Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni - Postharvest horticulture, agriculture and natural crops (based in Samoa)
  • Adj Research Fellow Dr Cathy Hair - Sea cucumbers, community-based farming methods and sustainable mariculture development (based in PNG and Australia)
  • Adj A/Prof Soane Patolo - Rural development and engagement (based in Tonga)
  • Adj A/Prof Lex Thompson - Pacific agroforestry / botany
  • Dr Vikki Schaffer - Sustainable tourism
  • Adj Research Fellow Dr Samantha Nowland - Aquaculture, tropical rock oyster culture in remote communities
  • Adj Research Fellow Ms Jessica Raneri - Senior Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Advisor with ACIAR and DFAT
  • Adj Senior Lecturer Dr Wayne Hancock - Horticulture, agriculture and plant genetics
  • Non-UniSC
  • Dr Dana Craven - Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Dr Christine Jacobson - Agriculture extension and resilience
  • Dr Cooper Schouten - Beekeeping / honey bee and agricultural research  
  • Ms Salote Waqairatu - Aquaculture and agribusiness (based in Fiji)
  • Ms Patricia Bibi - Pacific focused agritourism and Indigenous women empowerment (based in Fiji)
  • Ms Marita Manley - Pacific-focused agribusiness development (based in Fiji)
  • Max Wingfield - Fisheries biology and sustainable aquaculture industries
  • Dr Sophie Gordon - Tropical aquaculture; pearl oyster culture and production
  • Dr Permal Deo - Nutrition and food science
  • Mr Sefano M. Katz - Seascape multi-sector development, coastal social-ecological systems conservation and management (based in Fiji)
  • Adj A/Prof William Kerua - Agribusiness and extension agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (based in Fiji)
  • Adj Lecturer Dr Suliasi Vunibola - Indigenous community resilience in the Pacific
  • Adj A/Prof Liesel Carlsson - Global Food Security and Sovereignty, Food Culture, Food Systems.

Student

Thesis title

Bridget Horsey

Exploring food literacy to support preparation and consumption of local, traditional foods in Pacific Island communities

Karis Ramsay

Gender influences on food choice in small island developing states

John Grogan

Migration with Dignity: Kiribati Climate change/justice Exodus

Louisa-Anne Buwalda

Women’s experiences of natural disaster: Ni-Vanuatu women’s voices on their issues and solutions.

Kelly Brown

Regional sea cucumber genetics (based in Fiji)

Amalya Harding

Impacts of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic on drivers of dietary change and their links to non-communicable disease risk factors among women in peripheral Fijian communities

Zoe Bridge

Climate-Aggravated Barriers to the Recognition of World-Class Tangible Heritage in the Pacific Islands

Courtney Anderson

International Agriculture for Development: Unpacking Triangular Cooperation Partnerships 

Eliza Kitchener

Investigating maternal folate intake, availability, and the impacts of deficiency in Vanuatu

Wendy Godfrey 

Towards Intercultural Literacy - Growing intercultural competence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region

Elodie Casey

Enhancing Children's Nutrition Through Understanding the Role of Aquatic Foods Within the Pacific School Food Environment

Lindy Kanan

Understanding and preventing violence against women in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme

Emily Mitchell

Do community gardens in Tonga lead to better human health outcomes?

Alesana Malo

Characterisation and modification of Samoan grown citrus pectin for potential value-added and health promotion application. (Based in Samoa)

Norah Rihai

Regenerative Climate Smart Traditional Garden Systems and their contributions to Vanua

Verenaisi Lewatoro

Sustainable practices in supply chain evaluations and development: A stakeholder perspective
HDR graduate Date completed Thesis title 
Lawrence Ezedinma 2020

Traditional Medicine: An adaptation strategy towards ameliorating the impacts of climate change on human health in Pacific Island Countries – A case study of Fiji

Jimmy Rantes 2021

The Challenges of Integrating Sustainable Development into Policy and Practice: A Case Study from Vanuatu (Southwest Pacific)

Sophie Gordon 2021

Optimizing mabé pearl culture with the winged pearl oyster, Pteria penguin, in the Kingdom of Tonga

Jalasayi Atkinson-Nolte 2021

Cultural components of attitudes towards environmental risk

Ulusapeti Tiitii 2021

Edible seaweeds of Samoa: cultural values, consumer preferences and nutritional benefits

Christopher Evans 2022

Patterns of Migration in the South Pacific: The Case of Tuvalu 1945-2021

Loredana Lancini 2022

Environmental crises and local traditions: contemporary and ancient perspectives. (Based in France)

Dr Daniela Medina Hidalgo 2022

Riding the wave: improving climate change adaptation strategies, while supporting food and nutrition security in the Pacific

Dr Shalendra Prasad 2024

Postharvest loss of pineapples and its key contributors along the value chain in Fiji. (Based in Fiji)

Dr Melanie Harris 2024

Opportunities for ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change in coastal Pacific Island communities: Case studies of mangrove reforestation on Vanua Levu Island, Fiji.

Dr Nittya Simmard 2024

Investigating small-scale fisheries supporting shellcraft in Papua New Guinea

Dr William Johnston 2024 Applied economics within pearl farming value chains supporting community livelihoods in Fiji and Tonga