𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐔 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐰𝐨-𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞

𝟏𝟒 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

A research delegation from the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) visited Queensland from 30–31 October 2025 for a two-day engagement hosted by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Queensland (UQ). The visit, supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), focused on deepening research collaboration, strengthening Pacific-led scholarship and advancing shared priorities in justice, governance and security.

Day 1: Doing Justice Differently – Justice In the Pacific

The first day, held at QUT Gardens Point Campus, featured a public dialogue on “Doing Justice Differently. Security through a Prismatic Lens: Lessons from the Solomons ” hosted by the QUT Centre for Justice.

The session opened with a prayer by Rev. Dr Ben Wate, followed by a warm Acknowledgement of Country and remarks by Professor Rowena Maguire, Director of the Centre for Justice. Professor Maguire outlined the Centre’s Global Justice program, introducing QUT’s collaborative research projects across the Pacific, ranging from domestic violence and climate-related relocations to gender and environmental justice. She also announced a new 2026 Briefing Paper Series, featuring co-authored works between QUT academics and Pacific Island researchers, to be launched in the Solomon Islands alongside a short documentary created by Pacific filmmakers.

The session, chaired by Associate Professor Danielle Watson, explored how traditional, spiritual and relational systems of justice shape everyday security in the Solomon Islands. The delegation and panel from SINU: Dr Billy Fito’o, Dr Lincy Pende, Rev. Dr Ben Wate, Dr Patricia Rodie, Dr Lindsay and Dr Teorae Kabure responded and offered critical insights into the intersection of colonial histories, cultural resilience and local justice practices. Key themes included:

• Fragmentation and colonial legacy: Dr Fito’o reflected on how the unification of diverse island groups under colonial administration continues to challenge equitable governance.
• Gender and faith-based structures: Rev. Dr Wate discussed how missionary influence entrenched gendered hierarchies that persist in contemporary society.
• Language and access to justice: Dr Rodie highlighted the role of linguistic diversity in either limiting or enabling fair access to justice, particularly for rural and non-English-speaking communities.
• Cultural resilience and Pacific identity: Dr Kabure emphasised that “social cohesion enhances safety” and urged for justice systems that respect Pacific identity and relational ways of being.

The dialogue underscored the importance of hybrid and contextually grounded approaches, combining traditional and state systems to address security and justice challenges across the region.

Day 2: Tri-Institutional Research Networking Event

On the second day, SINU joined counterparts from the University of Queensland (UQ) and QUT for a Researcher Networking Event at the UQ Law School Boardroom, St Lucia campus. The event was co-hosted by Associate Professor Nicole George (UQ) and Associate Professor Danielle Watson (QUT).

The session celebrated long-standing and emerging partnerships. UQ and SINU’s enduring collaboration dates back to the early 2000s through joint work on peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery. QUT’s partnership with SINU continues to grow through capacity building in security studies, human development and non-traditional security fields such as gender, food and climate security.

Discussions focused on strengthening postgraduate programs including the Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Security Studies; advancing interdisciplinary research on climate change, mining, digital education, maritime security and traditional navigation; and expanding studies on citizenship, leadership, gender, policing and transnational organised crime.

Some outcomes from the visit include:

1. QUT will invite Pacific scholars to contribute to the Centre for Justice’s Briefing Paper Series.
2. The partners will explore joint funding opportunities under existing Memoranda of Understanding.

The visit affirmed SINU’s leadership role in promoting Pacific-led research that is contextually grounded, collaborative and transformative. Through continued partnership with QUT, UQ and DFAT, SINU strengthens its vision of advancing education and research that serve the needs of Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific region.

DFAT’s Pacific Engagement Lead, Madeline Courvisanos, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting sustained, regionally driven partnerships in research, education and policy development.

ENDS//