Phase 2

The Lowy Institute is a member of the consortium delivering Pacific Research Program – Phase 2 (PRP II). Co-funded by DFAT and the consortium partners’ parent bodies, PRP II (2022-26) will generate and disseminate independent Pacific-focussed research as a regional public good, and support stronger evidence-based policy making in the Pacific by working to foster stronger research practice and deeper research-to-knowledge engagement.

As with Phase 1 (2017-22), PRP II is being delivered by a consortium consisting of the Lowy Institute and two entities within the Australian National University College of Asia and the Pacific – the Department of Pacific Affairs (consortia lead) and the Development Policy Centre.

PRP II will build on Phase I of the program to foster strong partnerships between Australian and Pacific universities, and teach and train the next generation of Pacific researchers. Over the next four years, PRP II will also take forward new and ongoing research in key priority areas of Gender, Inclusion and Social Change; Labour Mobility and Integration; Politics, Governance and Economic Resilience; Papua New Guinea (and Bougainville) and Security, Regionalism and Geopolitics.

With these focus areas in mind, the overall goal of PRP II is: ‘To deepen Australia-Pacific research & education partnerships that support evidence-based policy-making for the Pacific’.

PRP II will focus on the achievement of three End-of-Program Outcomes that together contribute to the overarching goal. These End-of-Program Outcomes can also be considered pillars of the program, these include:

• Pillar 1. Better Informed Pacific Policy Makers (Research-to-Knowledge pillar) – this will see Pacific policy makers develop a deeper understanding of the Pacific development context and regional geo-politics, have greater access to quality independent research that supports evidence-based policy making, and deeper engagement with researchers.
• Pillar 2. Stronger Pacific Research Partnerships and Practice (Pacific Partnerships pillar) – this will see Pacific researchers and institutions better equipped to undertake, manage and drive Pacific research, deliver quality research outputs and establish and maintain vibrant research networks and communities of practice.
• Pillar 3. Greater Pacific Awareness (Pacific Awareness pillar) – this will see PRP research and analysis contributing to public debate and reaching a broader audience.

The Institute will contribute to the PRP across multiple areas, but will continue to focus on its strengths of production of policy-relevant research, communication of research to broader audiences, media engagement, and engagement with the broader Australian community on the Pacific.