Critical ‘Outsider’ Reflections on Research‐Initiated Pacific Partner Engagement

Learning with Pacific stakeholders requires genuine people‐to‐people engagement and understanding of differing literacies and ways of being. Co‐learning is possible when people authentically meet in spaces of mutuality, such as those characterised by shared hospitality. This perspective examines practical approaches to engaging Pacific stakeholders in a co‐developed research process reflected from an ‘outsiders’ perspective. Drawing on evidence from cross‐cultural studies, Pacific literature and peace studies, we reflect on ‘authentic’ co‐learning via a five‐day in‐person immersion. Reflexive and reflective insights elicited by the facilitators identified seven key ‘ingredients’ for developing deep cross‐cultural learning. These ‘ingredients’ are grounded in mutuality and shared learning, attempting to decolonise and dissolve power imbalances.