SICRI Background & Mission

SICRI was established in 2004 to facilitate communication and collaboration between researchers and cultural practitioners working with small island communities.

SICRI’s principal aim is to research and assist the maintenance and development of the language, literature, music, dance, folkloric and media cultures of small island communities. It aims to identify potential research partners and appropriate strategies and funding sources to benefit small island cultures and those researching them.

Key to SICRI’s activities is the principle that external researchers should develop their projects in consultation with island communities and should reciprocate such co-operation with appropriate assistance and facilitation of local cultural initiatives.

SICRI operates with reference to broader concepts of cultural heritage [see UNESCO, 2003: What is Cultural Heritage and Types of Cultural Heritage]; consideration of island communities as (simultaneously) isolated and connected; and is concerned to address the impacts and potentials offered by tourism.

SCU Island Cultures Research Projects

SICRI is hosted by the Division of Research, Southern Cross University (Australia) – www.scu.edu.au. The Division also supports the publication of the biannual online refereed publication Shima: The Internation Journal of Research into Island Cultures – www.shimajournal.org

SICRI News 2012:

ISIC 9 – July 10-13, 2013

The Asia-Pacific Islands Program (a joint venture of Southern Cross University, Australia and Universitas Pattimura, Indonesia) are pleased to present a call for papers on the theme of ‘Sustainable Island Futures’ for ISIC 9, an international conference organised in collaboration with the Small Island Cultures Research Initiative (SICRI).

ISIC 9 will be held in Tual, in the Kei Islands (Eastern Indonesia)

Submissions for papers are invited on the following topics:

  • The management and development of sustainable tourism on small islands
  • The maintenance and development of the cultural heritage of small islands in an increasingly globalised environment
  • The social practice of food security through agriculture and fisheries

Two types of paper will be considered:

  • Papers delivered orally – these will be of a 20 minute duration and will be programed in panels
  • Poster papers – which will be displayed together with scheduled discussion times at the main conference venue

All paper proposals will be peer refereed by an international panel.

Details as to transport, accommodation, schedules and related conference study trips will be posted on this site when they are finalised

An early acceptance program will commence in October 2012.

Provisional inquiries can be addressed to Professor Philip Hayward (Southern Cross University), Co-Chair of Papers and Panels at philip.hayward@scu.edu.au