More than 30 women researchers from across Papua New Guinea are now part of an expanding national network dedicated to producing evidence that informs policy, decision-making and inclusive economic development.
The advanced training, delivered in Goroka by RMIT University and supported through the PNG-Australia Partnership, is designed to strengthen participants' skills in research methodology, data analysis, academic and grant writing, leadership, and the communication of evidence to policymakers and decision-makers.
Beyond technical skills, the programme has created opportunities for mentoring, collaboration and professional networking among participants, who are drawn from a range of institutions and academic disciplines.
The composition of the cohort reflects the breadth of women's engagement in research careers across sectors including education, agriculture, health, economics and community development, according to the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby. Organisers say drawing on evidence from different professional and regional perspectives is central to the initiative's aim of building a more inclusive research culture in the country.
The training forms part of a broader effort to support women's participation in shaping evidence-based policy across Papua New Guinea, an area where increasing female representation in research and academia has been identified as a priority for long-term development outcomes.