ABOUT

The Centre for Pacific Studies was founded in 2008 by Professor Christina Toren soon after she joined St Andrews to capitalise on a significant cluster of Pacific-focused expertise. Our approach from the start has foregrounded Pacific knowledges and decolonising the field, including training several Pacific islands research students.

Our objective at the Centre for Pacific Studies is to provide an inter-disciplinary home for Oceania-focused research, impact and training at St Andrews, and to facilitate impactful engagements through catalysing our position, track-record and networks to achieve strategic aims shared by ourselves and our partners in the wider Pacific. Our Pacific Connections outreach, impact and engagement events include research-policy events, theatre performances and community workshops.

CPS’s international reach and reputation has developed from a small research centre operating as a hub through spokes with UK, European and international research partnerships and collaborations, and through a track-record emphasising Pacific creativity and research-impact engagement. CPS is unique as the only Oceania-focused research centre in Britain, with Dr Tony Crook the current Director.

GOVERNANCE

The Centre for Pacific Studies is a University of St Andrews licensed Research Centre, co-hosted by Social Anthropology and English. The CPS Board reflects our interdisciplinary reach and regional presence, and provides for steering and coordination.

Director, Dr Tony Crook, Social Anthropology,  tony.crook@st-andrews.ac.uk

Dr Melissa Demian, Social Anthropology

Professor David Herd, English 

Professor Emma Sutton, English

Dr Fiona Hukula (St Andrews PhD 2015)

Dr Andrew Moutu (St Andrews Honorary Professor, Balzan Prize project, 2019-23)