The Pacific Ocean covers a third of the surface of the planet and contains thousands of unique islands. An almost unmatched diversity of cultures across a diversity of island types has created unique challenges that our Centre seeks to address.
Living mostly in rural coastal communities, the livelihoods of Pacific peoples are increasingly threatened by climate change and natural disasters.
While acknowledging the deep-rooted cultural resilience of Pacific communities, future challenges are unprecedented and are in many places amplified by health concerns arising from recently changed diets and livelihoods.
The Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research (ACPIR) is concerned with developing practical evidence-based solutions in collaboration with Pacific peoples to address such concerns, and develop sustainable pathways for the futures to which they aspire.
ACPIR is a multidisciplinary research centre that provides a focal point for the expertise and experience of researchers connected through their capacity to make a significant contribution to knowledge and impact in the areas of primary production, community health and the environment in the Pacific Islands region.
Capacity building through agribusiness research
Pacific Agribusiness Research in Development Initiative Phase 2 (PARDI 2).
Research areas and projects
Sustainable production systems
Most Pacific Islanders source their livelihoods from the land or sea. Agriculture and aquaculture production are essential to economic development, sustainability and livelihoods.
Environmental sustainability
Sustaining the viability of island environments is about survival. The ability of Pacific Islanders to sustain livelihoods has been repeatedly challenged by extreme events and longer-term impacts of climate change.
Peoples and cultures
Understanding Pacific peoples and cultures enriches us all. In an era where globalisation is forcing ever greater cultural homogeneity, the importance of understanding diversity and its roots in history and circumstance is clear.
Nutrition and health
Food environments in the Pacific have changed dramatically in recent times. Understanding food environments and dietary behaviours in the Pacific Islands informs strategies to improve health in those communities.
Connect with ACPIR
To meet the ACPIR team, or to contact us please visit our contact page.
Reach out to key ACPIR members directly by visiting their profile on the contact page.
For all enquiries, including membership requests, email acpir@usc.edu.au.
Welcoming new members
Home of the Pasifika Association at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Supported by the Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research, the student group launched in 2022 to support the Pasifika students and their community at UniSC.
Summer Research Scholarships
Learn more about our Summer Research projects for 2022/2023.
Contributing to research to benefit sustainability, health, conservation, equality, primary production and livelihoods in the Pacific Islands.
Research Students
ACPIR provides supervision and exciting research opportunities for postgraduate and undergraduate students, including the Summer Research Scholarship - find out more about studying with us.
The significance of ACPIR's motif
Our motif, designed in collaboration with students from the School of Business and Creative Industries, represents the research disciplines and aspirations of the Centre.
Learn more about the collaborative process here.