Pacific Criminology

Description

Pacific ways of theorising crime, violence, justice, security, victimisation, and peace are largely hidden currents beneath the visible surface of criminology developed in other parts of the world. We seek to create a space for these currents to surface and converge in productive and energising ways.

This thematic group raises the profile, scholarship, and research acumen of the region by showcasing the voices and contributions to the criminological landscape about, and from, the Pacific Islands and the Pacific Indigenous diaspora.

Pacific Criminology is not only a movement but an alternative way of justice theorising and responding to crime, criminalisation and punishment.  It actively embraces justice, care and accountability models based on Pacific worldviews and lived experiences.

Aims and Objectives

  • To attract and support Pacific scholars, practitioners, and community members within criminology, increasing the visibility of Pacific perspectives in law, research, policy and academic forums.
  • To develop culturally appropriate research methodologies that honor Pacific worldviews, ethical frameworks, and relational approaches to knowledge creation.
  • To elevate Pacific knowledge systems in understanding crime, justice, harm, and healing that challenge and enrich conventional criminological theories.
  • To foster research addressing criminological issues affecting Pacific island nations, communities, and diasporas, contributing to more inclusive criminology.
  • To create supportive spaces for dialogue that embrace productive discomfort in ways that affirm and enhance the mana of all participants as individuals or a collective.

Convenor

Moses Faleolo, Victoria University of Wellington moses.faleolo@vuw.ac.nz

Miranda Forsyth, Australian National University miranda.forsyth@anu.edu.au

Tamasailau Suaalii, The University of Auckland s.suaalii-sauuni@auckland.ac.nz

Membership List:

Last updated January 2025

  • Adam Alliss, Public Sector Commission Western Australia
  • Chelsea Baker, Mullins Lawyers
  • James Beaufils – Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney
  • Casey Berte, Insight PBS
  • Kristi Blenkhorn, University of Canterbury
  • Shobanah Brind, University of Newcastle
  • Tyler Cawthray, Bond University
  • Christopher Cuneen – University of Technology Sydney
  • Elisabeth Duursma, Western Sydney University
  • Christopher Emzin – Queensland University of Technology
  • Florence Hafoka, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation
  • Loene Howes – University of Tasmania
  • Lindy Kanan – University of the Sunshine Coast
  • Henrietta McNeill – Australian National University
  • James Mehigan – Canterbury University
  • Alice Mills – University of Auckland
  • Jenna Mizzi – Flinders University
  • Wayne Morrison, Queen Mary University of London
  • Lin Mussell – University of Canterbury
  • Jacquinta Nickle – NDIS Provider
  • Judy Putt – Australian national University
  • Jagrut Raval
  • Dimitri Razos – The University of Melbourne
  • Tristan Rogers, TAFE QLD
  • Eden Rothschild
  • Mai Sato – Monash University
  • John Scott – Queensland University of Technology
  • Tamasailau Suaalii – University of Auckland
  • Neil Wallace, Arts Access Aotearoa
  • Danielle Watson – Queensland University of Technology
  • Susann Wiedlitzka – University of Auckland
  • Lesley-Ann Wilson – Deakin University