Special Issue on West Papua
The editorial board of Pacific Dynamics invites papers for a special issue on the decolonisation of West Papua.
The question of decolonisation of West Papua has been confined to the post-World War II’s legal status of the region rather than examining the layers of power relations that have constructed and reproduced West Papua as an abject. This special issue aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of domination that the outside world has constructed of West Papua through colonisation, developmentalism, extractivism, and militarism, examining epistemological, anthropological, legal, historical, political, cultural, and socio-economic perspectives. By gathering contributions from a diverse range of scholars, activists, journalists, artists, and practitioners, this issue seeks to foster a comprehensive understanding and stimulate meaningful dialogue around the ongoing challenges and aspirations of the West Papuan people.
The special issue will generally be organized around the following key themes but may include other related/relevant topics:
- Historical Trajectories: Tracing the historical roots for self-determination.
- Political Struggles: Examining the changing political landscape, including governance, militarism, resistance movements, and international diplomacy.
- Anthropological trajectories: Investigating the construction of West Papuan layered identity as shaped by the Western colonial powers, Indonesian rule, power relations among Papuan ethnic groups, and international capital.
- Human Rights: Examining the role of national and international human rights frameworks to address the questions of justice and reconciliation.
- Environmental Challenges: Analysing the environmental impacts of resource extraction and the intersection with indigenous rights and indigenous cosmology.
- Future Prospects: Considering potential pathways for achieving self-determination and sustainable development.
Submissions may include original research articles, case studies, policy analyses, artwork, and personal narratives. We particularly encourage submissions that incorporate diverse methodologies and perspectives, and those that engage directly with West Papuan voices.
Submission Guidelines:
- Manuscripts will normally be between 5,000-8,000 words in length, or 2,000-3,000 words for short critical and analytical pieces. We also welcome book reviews. These should be about 800-1,500 words long.
- All submissions must adhere to the journal’s formatting and citation guidelines.
- Manuscripts should be submitted by 4 July 2025 to holly.neave@canterbury.ac.nz or to budihernawan@driyarkara.ac.id
- For any inquiries, please contact the special issue editor Dr Budi Hernawan at budihernawan@driyarkara.ac.id.
Please see Instructions for contributors ahead of submitting your paper.