Beyond the "Field Site": Why We Must Decolonize Research in the Pacific
For decades, the Pacific Islands have been viewed by the global academic community as a "gold mine" for data. Researchers fly in, collect samples—whether biological, geological, or cultural—and fly out. The result? Papers are published in journals that our communities cannot access, about problems we are left to solve on our own.
At the Islands Knowledge Institute (IKI), we believe the "fly-in, fly-out" model is not just outdated; it is scientifically flawed.
The "Living Lab" Approach We are shifting the paradigm from "research about Islanders" to "research by Islanders." We view our villages not as passive field sites, but as Living Labs. In this model, a village elder identifying a shift in fish migration patterns is not offering "anecdote"—they are offering longitudinal data observed over generations.
Why Knowledge Sovereignty Matters When research is designed in London, Canberra, or New York, it often misses the nuance of local context. By centering Indigenous scholarship, we ensure that:
- Data is accurate: Local custodians understand the variables of their environment better than any visitor.
- Solutions are sustainable: Policy recommendations are rooted in the cultural reality of the people who must live with them.
- Benefits remain local: The knowledge economy should enrich the Solomon Islands, not just foreign universities.
We are proud to stand at the forefront of this movement, ensuring that when the world looks to the Pacific for answers on climate change and resilience, they are listening to the people who know these islands best.
