Joseph Foukona is from Solomon Islands and is a 2012 Australian Leadership Award scholar.
Joseph, a law lecturer at the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu, is studying a Doctor of Philosophy in Culture, History and Language at the Australian National University in Canberra.
He is one of four Solomon Islanders awarded an Australian Leadership Awards scholarship this year.
'I'll be looking at the issues of customary land in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, which is very complicated and complex, with many different cultural and historical considerations,' said Joseph.
'Previous research papers have looked at country based customary land issues, but I'll be taking a broader view of the issue and looking at both the country situations in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, as well as a regional perspective as well.'
Joseph arrived in Canberra in mid January for his six week induction program and has already held several meetings with his three supervisors to map out his work plan and research focus for the next 12 months.
He says one of the benefits of the ALA scholarship is the ready made set of networks from the region.
'The scholarship opens up opportunities to meet other people from the Pacific and the region, so already I've met many people working in the Pacific to discuss ideas and experiences with them.'
'I think the ANU is a unique place. It has a strong research focus on the Pacific and excellent library and reference collections, so it's one of the best places to study for me.'
More information
Scholarships in Solomon Islands
Development Awards
Australian Development Scholarships
Australian Leadership Awards Fellowships