Description 

Topics 

1. The political and development context in the Pacific – Implications for design
2. How change happens in a Pacific context - Theories of change
3. Locally-led development - Partnering with local actors
4. Monitoring and evaluation in a Pacific context
5. Meeting donor requirements in Pacific designs - Risk management and sustainability
6. Inclusivity in Pacific program design
7. Program implementation in a Pacific context – Modalities and aid approaches
8. Thinking and working politically in the Pacific – Situating donors in the Pacific context
9. Case study – Gender and leadership
10. Case study – Governance and elections
11. Case study – Skills
12. Case study - Health

Learning outcomes 

Upon successful completion, enrollees will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. Identify key stages and actors in program design and implementation
2. Define the development contexts in the Pacific and their relevance to aid programming
3. Determine the relevant drivers of the political economy in which aid programs are designed
4. Critically assess different programming modalities used in Pacific development programs
5. Design an original development program that is fit for purpose in a Pacific context

Indicative assessment

Description 

Topics 

1. Research ethics in the Pacific: privilege, voice and standpoints
2. Implementing inclusive research projects in the Pacific: partnerships, time, logistics, culture
3. Inclusive research questions and topics: what is researched in the Pacific and who does it benefit?
4. Research subjects: intersectionality and extending the sample from the ‘usual subjects’
5. Inclusive methods for data collection and data analysis
6. Sharing inclusive research: authorship, acknowledgement, community and policy impact

Learning outcomes 

Upon successful completion, enrollees will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. Identify key stages and actors in inclusive research design and implementation
2. Explain the relationship between intersectionality and development in the Pacific, and its impact on research design
3. Contrast inclusive and non-inclusive research methodologies in Pacific contexts
4. Justify and support the adoption of inclusive research practices in development studies
5. Design an original inclusive research project that is fit for purpose in a development context

Indicative assessment

Description 

Learning outcomes 

Upon successful completion, enrollees will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. Develop a strategic road-map to achieving a negotiated outcome on Pacific policy
2. Recognise, apply and respond to different approaches to diplomatic negotiation
3. Design negotiation strategies for a variety of different diplomatic contexts, including formal, informal, bilateral and multilateral settings

Indicative assessment

Description 

Topics 

1. The socio-political context of research in the Pacific
2. Melanesian research methodology
3. Talanoa
4. Kaupapa Māori
5. Tivaevae model from Cook Islands and other local models
6. How indigenous models relate to Western research models and university systems

Learning outcomes 

Upon successful completion, enrollees will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the socio-political context of research in the Pacific, including Pacific ways of talking, indigenous research methods and appropriate research protocols
2. Critically reflect on methodological choices and practices relevant to the Pacific context
3. Engage in an in-depth analysis of an indigenous research methodology

Indicative assessment

Description 

Topics 

1. The political economy of elections in Melanesia
2. Elections and (in)security
3. Elections, governance and development
4. Money politics and electoral competition in Melanesia
5. Political parties and campaigning
6. Elections, ICTs and social media
7. Women and elections
8. Electoral administration and electoral integrity in Melanesia
9. Elections in PNG
10. Elections in Solomon Islands
11. Elections and external actors – interests and engagement
12. Supporting elections in Melanesia – policy and programming challenges

Learning outcomes 

Upon successful completion, enrollees will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. Understand the contextual factors that condition how elections in Melanesia work
2. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between elections and security, governance, development and stability
3. Appreciation of the challenges faced by key political and social actors such as women and civil society in participating in elections in Melanesia
4. Demonstrate a good understanding of the policy challenges involved in administering elections in Melanesia.
5. Appreciation of the distinctiveness of Melanesian elections in a comparative context

Indicative assessment