Timor-Leste Research Program Objectives

The Timor-Leste Research Program is committed to understanding processes of change and continuity, and to thinking through cultural-political questions such as nation-formation in a globalizing world. Situated within the the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University in Melbourne, our work straddles the divide between abstract theory and applied research while also seeking to develop strong collaborative connections with communities, civil society and state organisations in our research areas.
The Timor-Leste Research Program is committed to both intellectual and ethical objectives.

At an intellectual level, our objectives include:

• To seek to understand processes of change in contemporary Timor-Leste, specifically the process of nation-formation;
• To develop and utilise innovative research methods suitable for the East Timorese context; and
• To ensure that our academic research findings contribute wherever possible to development policy and program design and community knowledge in Timor-Leste. 

At an ethical level, our objectives include: 

• To build innovative knowledge about East Timorese society that is applicable, socially progressive, accessible and widely distributed in both Timor-Leste and globally, including both within and beyond Universities;
• To ensure that our research program is transparent and accountable in Timor-Leste, and involves locally-based partners wherever possible;
• To build the research capabilities of East Timorese communities, organisations and individuals, and emerging researchers from Australia and internationally; and 
• To include a diverse range of East Timorese voices in data collection and written outcomes.  

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