David Oakeshott

David Oakeshott is a researcher at the Department of Pacific Affairs, Bell School of Asia Pacific Studies, The Australian National University. His work bridges anthropology, education, and peacebuilding in Melanesia, focusing on transitional justice, social change, and state formation in Bougainville and Solomon Islands.

• Education: PhD in Anthropology (2021), ANU; Bachelor’s in Transitional Justice (2013), ANU

His research explores the intersection of education and societal reconciliation in post-conflict Pacific contexts. Key themes include gender dynamics at boarding schools, climate mobility, and the role of silence in justice processes.

Recent publications analyze climate-driven relocation in Solomon Islands (2024), peacebuilding in Pacific boarding schools (2024), and gender in Melanesian nation-making (2023). Collaborative projects include a 2024 report on Pacific democracy commissioned by International IDEA.

David is affiliated with ANU’s Bell School, contributing to research on cultural diversity, peacebuilding, and Pacific regionalism. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining anthropology, political science, and education.