Kerryn Baker

New from me & my amazing co-author Ellenah Kelly on disability equity in politics and elections in Solomon Islands

Practising Politics in a Disorderly Democracy Taking as its starting point Ron May's scholarship on Papua New Guinea as a “disorderly democracy,” this article examines how politics is practised in the PNG Parliament. Using a case study of the ev....

New article on PNG politics - practising politics in a disorderly democracy @anudpa.bsky.social

Addressing disability inequality on polling day is just the beginning - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre Disability equity in election processes is not just about voter participation but about equal citizenship throughout the electoral cycle, say Ellenah Kelly and Kerryn Baker.

Addressing disability inequality on polling day is just the beginning @anudpa.bsky.social

A Different Kind of Power: A Memoir. By Jacinda Ardern (Melbourne: Penguin Random House, 2025), pp. 352. $55. Click on the article title to read more.

My review of Jacinda Ardern’s memoir now out in AJPH, featuring - importantly - my first reference to Impulse Body Spray in an academic journal onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

ANU Students Explore Resilience, Policy, and Pacific Solidarity in Vanuatu | Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs ANU and NUV students joined a month-long course in Vanuatu, exploring resilience, policy, and Pacific solidarity through shared learning, local engagement, and climate-focused discussions.

ANU & NUV students explored #resilience and #policy in #Vanuatu 🇻🇺 — learning from local leaders, building friendships & deepening #Pacific solidarity. 🌏

Read more ➡️ shorturl.at/WsbkL

@anubellschool.bsky.social @anu-asiapacific.bsky.social

A Fiji (parliament) for all Fijians? The impact of gender-blind and race-blind electoral provisions in a divided society In a gendered and racialized society, what do gender-blind and race-blind electoral provisions mean for diversity in politics? This question is particularly important for Fiji, a country with a pos...

New open access article from @romiteshkant.bsky.social & me on how the 2013 Fiji constitution limits diversity & inclusion in politics www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Popular Political Attitudes in Vanuatu: Findings of the Pacific Attitudes Survey This paper presents the findings of the second Pacific Attitudes Survey (PAS), conducted in Vanuatu from August–October 2023. Drawing on a nationally representative sample (n = 1330) of ni-Vanuatu of...

New article (open access!) on findings from the Pacific Attitudes Survey Vanuatu @anudpa.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

The latest Intel asked @kerrynbaker.bsky.social "50 years of independence in PNG: What do we need to think about for the future of the Australia-PNG Partnership?"

Read her response here 👉 lnkd.in/gQ-PavN5
Sign up to get the Intel straight to your inbox 👉 ow.ly/rYB250SavNo

The Intel • Development Intelligence Lab The Intel is a barometer for Indo-Pacific development issues. One topical question a week. Three expert responses. Short, sharp and provocative.

Delighted to contribute to this week’s Intel question from @devintellab.bsky.social, asking: "50 years of independence in PNG: What do we need to think about for the future of the Australia-PNG Partnership?"

Read my full response: devintelligencelab.com/the-intel

Exploring popular rhetoric about political candidacy in Vanuatu - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre A "reform" to block non-indigenous political candidates is misguided and effort should instead be directed to other electoral reforms, says Anna Naupa.

This excellent piece today from Anna Naupa explores attitudes around contested issues of political candidacy & national identity in Vanuatu (partly using our @anudpa.bsky.social Pacific Attitudes Survey data!)

New leaders face old problems in Solomon Islands Solomon Islands saw major political changes in 2024 with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele taking power after a delayed election, but economic challenges, corruption concerns and regional tensions contin...

My piece on an eventful 2024 in Solomon Islands, and looking toward what 2025 might bring for @eastasiaforum.bsky.social @anudpa.bsky.social

This MP wants to end Vanuatu's male monopoly on government Vanuatu's new parliament has elected a new prime minister, as the nation embarks on a major post-disaster rebuilding effort — and as advocates push for better female representation in government.

This MP wants to end Vanuatu’s male monopoly on government @anudpa.bsky.social

The Pacific section was also incredible this time! So many good finds

📢New issue of #PAG20 is out!📢

In "Tradition Meets Democracy" @kerrynbaker.bsky.social and co-authors look to the role of traditional and nontraditional gender norms in structuring women's political participation in 🇼🇸.

polisky gendersky

https://buff.ly/3WMwEbA

Where geopolitics and development meet “National interest” needn’t be a banned phrase, and acknowledgement can help make aid partnerships more honest.

Where geopolitics and development meet

How can Vanuatu’s new parliament rebuild public trust? - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre A unified coalition government and a vocal, stable opposition are key to political stability in the island nation, says Anna Naupa.

Great analysis from Anna Naupa here on rebuilding public trust in parliament after (another) snap election in Vanuatu (including the importance of a strong opposition)

The pain of Australia Day, and the lessons New Zealand can offer OPINION: While many Australians embrace this day with barbecues, fireworks, and trips to the beach, for us as First Nations peoples, it is a time of mourning.

www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360...

Bill To Amend 2013 Constitution to be Tabled in Parliament A Bill to amend relevant provisions of Chapter 11 of the 2013 Constitution is being finalised for tabling in Parliament as Cabinet sets in motion measures to initiate a review of the supreme law of Fi...

A process to review and amend Fiji's constitution is underway maitvfiji.com/fiji-cabinet...

Samoa political update: Fiame prevails - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre PM Fiame, supported by the Speaker of the House, has survived an attack on her leadership from within her own party, but further instability is likely.

Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Samoa’s first female Prime Minister, remains the country's PM, but the FAST party remains divided. Good analysis from Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson & Lilomaiava Maina Vai on Devpolicy: devpolicy.org/samoa-politi...

Where is Mendi? How PNG’s electoral map broke: part 1 - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre It has proven very challenging to find out how the redistricting of PNG electorates in 2022 changed the electoral map, says Thiago Cintra Oppermann.

What do you do when a country's official electorate map is completely divorced from the reality on the ground? I don't know, but Papua New Guinea is about to find out. Thiago Opperman explains the problem today on Devpolicy: devpolicy.org/where-is-men...

Vale Charles Lepani - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre Stephen Howes pays tribute to Charles Lepani, former PNG High Commissioner to Australia, and the last of the country's "Gang of Four".

From Papua New Guinea's final days as a colony, across the promise & challenges of its independence, at the front lines of it relations with Australia, the late Charles Lepani was there. Stephen Howes has a informed personal & historical obituary on Devpolicy: devpolicy.org/vale-charles...

Women face uphill battle in Vanuatu politics Vanuatu has just one female MP and seven women candidates among the 217 running for office in this...

Vanuatu elects fewer female MPs than basically anywhere on the planet: just six in 45 years. I spoke with the only woman MP of the last parliament, Gloria Julia King, on the struggles women face getting selected and elected.
www.thesenior.com.au/story/886869...

New Zealand rejects Cook Islands passport plan New Zealand has rejected a proposal by the Cook Islands, a self-governing nation in free association with the larger Pacific country.

New Zealand rejects a proposal by the Cook Islands to create its own passports and citizenship. Citizenship in nations that are not-quite-states is complicated and deserves more comparative study @globalcit.bsky.social islandsbusiness.com/news-break/n...

Thanks Brendan!!

In our most recent episode, @jochandler.bsky.social speaks to causes of the recent explosion of harvesting of fish maw in the remote Kikori delta in Papua New Guinea.

At first glance, Australia’s new treaty with Nauru seems to be a win-win. But questions remain The new deal between the countries seems to offer Nauru an economic lifeline while giving Australia security in the region. But the details reveal issues still to be resolved.

theconversation.com/at-first-gla...

Research article entitled "Tradition Meets Democracy: Perceptions of Women’s Political Leadership in Samoa" by Kerryn Baker, Tuiloma Susana Tauaa, Silafau Sina Vaai, Christopher Mudaliar, Michael Leach and Julien Barbara.

📣 Out on #FirstView 📣

In "Tradition Meets Democracy" @kerrynbaker.bsky.social and co-authors use survey data to look to the role of traditional and nontraditional gender norms in structuring women's political participation in 🇼🇸.

Available 🌟 #OpenAccess 🌟

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...