Sonia Palmieri

Associate Professor Sonia Palmieri serves as Head of the Department of Pacific Affairs at the Coral Bell School of Asia and Pacific Affairs, College of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University (ANU). She holds a BA (Hons) and PhD from the University of Queensland (UQ). Her research focuses on gender equality in political institutions, particularly parliaments, and feminist methodologies in research. Key areas include women’s leadership in the Pacific, gender-sensitive parliamentary reforms, and capacity-building for gender research.

Her professional experience spans academic, development, and parliamentary roles with organizations like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Geneva), UNDP (Hanoi), UN Women (New York), and the Australian Parliament. She has collaborated with stakeholders across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, designing and evaluating DFAT-funded development programs.

Research outputs emphasize institutional norms, voter motivations in Vanuatu’s elections, and gender mainstreaming strategies. She leads projects on Pacific democracy, feminism in development, and localized gender equality reforms in Fiji. Awards and grants include ANU-led initiatives and international collaborations.

Teaching and supervision focus on inclusive research methodologies and Pacific political dynamics. She advises on parliamentary workplace equity and contributes to global policy frameworks through UN and Commonwealth partnerships.