Matthew Allen, BA, Grad Dip, MSc, PhD (ANU)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Resource Management in Asia-Pacific Program

Email: matthew.allen[at]anu.edu.au

Biographical Statement

Matthew has been conducting research on various aspects of the societies and environments of Melanesia since 1997. His masters research consisted of a study of the human and economic geography of a small island in Vanuatu. His PhD research examined the relationships between the state, identity, resources and conflict in Solomon Islands. He has also conducted a number of consultancy assignments in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

Research Interests

Resource conflict and identity politics in Melanesia in general and Solomon Islands in particular with further interests in smallholder agriculture, food security and rural development.

Key Publications

• Contemporary Histories of the Conflict in Solomon Islands. Oceania 76(3): 310-315, 2006.
• Dissenting voices: local perspectives on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. Pacific Economic Bulletin 21(2): 194-201, 2006.
• Greed and grievance: the role of economic agendas in the conflict in Solomon Islands. Pacific Economic Bulletin 20(2): 56-71, 2005.
• The evidence for Sweet Potato in Island Melanesia. In C. Ballard, P. Brown, R.M. Bourke and T. Harwood (eds), Sweet Potato in the Pacific. Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh (Ethnology Monographs 19). Sydney: University of Sydney (Oceania Monograph 56), pp. 99-108, 2005.
• Subsistence or cash-cropping? Food security on Malo Island, Vanuatu. In R.M. Bourke, M.G. Allen and J. Salisbury (eds), Food security for Papua New Guinea. Proceedings of the Papua New Guinea Food and Nutrition 2000 Conference, PNG University of Technology, Lae, 26-30 June 2000. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (Proceedings No. 99), pp. 100-111, 2001.

Career Highlights

Masters candidate, Department of Geography, ANU (1997-1999); Young Professional Officer, ACNARS Project, PNG (1999-2001); Regional Development Coordinator, Hassall and Associates (2002-2003); Research Officer, Department of Human Geography, ANU (2003-2004); Doctoral candidate, Crawford School of Economics and Government, ANU.