Pacific Islands academy of sciences and humanities

Pacific Island states and territories are particularly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, but their involvement in scientific research remains limited due to various historical and structural factors. The region lacks a scholarly institution of its own to support science and science practitioners and promote an evidence-based Pacific voice in international fora. The establishment of a Pacific Academy of Sciences and Humanities could help address these issues.

Background

Scholarly academies play a critical role in supporting scholarly activity, national development, and curating knowledge. As the world faces multiple challenges reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals and the SAMOA Pathway, the importance of science and actionable knowledge in addressing these challenges is increasingly recognized.

The scholarly ecosystem is complex, involving knowledge generators (primarily universities and research institutes), knowledge synthesizers (primarily universities and academies) and knowledge brokers (academies and advisory mechanisms). In many countries, academies offer a vital interdisciplinary mechanism to provide evidence-based advice to publics and the policy community. The proposed Pacific Academy could play this role for the region.

Recognizing the need to assist science and scholarship in the Pacific and to support new academies of sciences in underserved regions, the ISC attracted initial funding and support to launch the process through a reginal consultation with Pacific scholars, funders and decision-makers.

Following the success of the event and an overwhelming support for the Pacific Academy, the ISC continued to facilitate the efforts to establish the Academy through the Regional Focal point for Asia and the Pacific.

Activities and impact

October 2023: The inaugural ISC Meeting of Pacific Scholars brings over 60 scientists to Apia, Samoa. They resolutely agree on the need to establish the Pacific Academy and mandate the ISC to proceed.
December 2023: As the first crucial step, the Establishment Committee is formed. Representing different subregions of the Pacific and drawing from diverse expertise of established and early and mid-career scholars, it is tasked to set the foundation of the future academy and mobilize necessary support.
February 2024: Gathered in Auckland, New Zealand, the Establishment Committee members and advisors make progress on resolving foundational issues around the Academy’s legal status, location, membership and constitution.
The launch of the Academy is planned for October 2024.

Background

Activities and impact

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