Navigating Pacific Criminology

RegNet’s Professor Miranda Forsyth recently concluded a significant project funded by an Asia Pacific Innovation Program (APIP) grant, aimed at bringing Pacific perspectives to the forefront of criminology. Until very recently, Pacific approaches to crime, violence, justice and peace have largely developed in separate and isolated contexts - hidden currents beneath the surface of mainstream Northern criminology. Together with her colleagues, including Dr Moses Faleolo, Professor Forsyth sought to elevate these perspectives, creating a platform where they could meaningfully contribute to the global criminological landscape.

This project was a collaborative effort involving several institutions, including Victoria University of Wellington, University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Queensland University of Technology, University of Papua New Guinea, National University of Samoa, University of the South Pacific, and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology. Through this partnership, the project raised the profile of Pacific scholarship, showcasing the voices and contributions of the region to the criminological landscape.

The highlight of this project was the inaugural symposium on Pacific Criminology, held from 20-21 April 2023 at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Co-organised by Professor Forsyth, the event brought together an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary group of diverse scholars and practitioners from across the Pacific region and beyond. The symposium provided a platform for deep discussions on Pacific peoples' experiences of crime, justice and violence, while also exploring unique forms of peacebuilding and security in the region.

Delivered in a hybrid format, the symposium featured diverse panels, a plenary session and several keynote addresses. More than just an academic exchange, the event fostered an inclusive cultural experience, with performances and rituals interwoven into the proceedings. The symposium was hailed as a successful starting point in building relationships to support the growth of Pacific criminology.

One of the most important outcomes of the symposium was the formation of the Pacific Criminology thematic group within the Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC). This group is dedicated to building a network of scholars and practitioners focused on the continued development of Pacific criminology.

Reflecting on the event, Professor Forsyth noted: "The symposium was the first time that such an event has focused on Pacific criminology and was a crucial first step in bringing Pacific voices to the forefront. By creating this space, we are beginning to shift the narrative and show the world how Pacific perspectives can redefine the field," she said.

As a direct result of the symposium, 24 abstracts were submitted by participants, with their papers later compiled into a Special Issue of the International Journal of Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. Among the published works is the recent paper, The Emergence of a Pacific Criminology, which captures the essence of this new movement and provides a platform for ongoing research and dialogue.