Dr Anna Powles staff profile picture

Contact details +6449793080

Dr Anna Powles PhD

Senior Lecturer in Security Studies

Doctoral Co-Supervisor
School of People, Environment and Planning

Current Research Projects:

  • New Zealand's Pacific Policy: Beyond the Reset? This is a sole-authored book commissioned by Victoria University Press. 
  • with Joanne Wallis (ANU). Australian Research Council Discovery Grant investigating Pacific Partners? The operation and endurance of the Australia-New Zealand alliance in the Pacific Islands, (ARC Discovery Project DP200101994, 2020-2023). 
  • with Beth Greener (Massey). Strategic Initiative Fund research project on private security companies in the Pacific Islands

Additional Positions:

  • Standing Committee, New Zealand Institute of International Affairs
  • Member, Pacific Advisory Group (an independent advisory body to the New Zealand Government)
  • Co-Director, Security, Politics and Development Network
  • Director of Women In International Security
  • New Zealand representative on the NATO Core Group on Women, Peace and Security (2016-18),
  • Member of Massey University’s Pacific Research and Policy Centre Caucus,
  • Member of Women, Peace and Security Academic Collective (Australia/New Zealand),
  • Editorial board of Pacific Dynamics: Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (University of Canterbury).
  • Consultant, Security Sector Specialist, UNDP Pacific. 

 

Past Positions:

Dr Powles has previously held positions as the Monitoring & Evaluation Security Sector Specialist with the United Nations Development Programme Timor Leste; the Timor-Leste Analyst with the International Crisis Group; Advisor to the Timorese Government on the GoTL’s response to the 2006 humanitarian crisis; and various consultancy positions with international NGOs including the Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam, Action Aid and World Vision.

She holds a doctorate from the Australian National University and is an Alumni of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies iand the East-West Center n Honolulu. 

 

Dr Anna Powles is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Defence and Security Studies. Her research is focussed on how state and non-state actors are shaping regional security and the intersection of geopolitics and local security dynamics in the Pacific Islands. She is an Associate Scholar with the MacMillan Brown Center for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury, and in 2019 was a Senior Visiting Fellowship with the East-West Center, Honolulu. She sits on the independent Pacific Advisory Group to the New Zealand Foreign Minister and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Standing Committee. 

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Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: +64 979 3080
    Location: Block 7, Level D, Mt Cook
    Campus: Wellington

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Australian National University (2010)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Co-Supervisor, Massey University

Prizes and Awards

  • 2017 Massey University Research Fund (MURF) Award of $12,000. 1.Terms of Engagement (Massey-Lead). This project seeks to ascertain the appropriateness and utility of academic / military engagement. Drawing on debates in Anthropology about the ethics of working with military forces, military sociological literature on civil-military relations, NGO and think tank guidelines on civil-military-police-NGO cooperation, and policy discussions on military roles, interagency and external engagements, this foundational project seeks to identify boundaries in and around academic engagement with militaries and vice versa. Outputs: -Working paper on issues raised in academic discourse about engagement. -Working paper on issues from military perspective. -Set of TOE for future projects between Massey researchers and NZDF. Likely contributors: Nina Harding (Anthropological debates on ethical issues and cultural view on organisations). B Greener and A Powles (civil-military relations, military sociology). Gerard Prinsen (Development Studies perspectives on harm). 2.Southern Katipo 2017 (NZDF Lead) Planning for next major military exercise in 2017. Academics to bring expertise to comment on / engage with military planners to note areas of concern, overlap, limitations, opportunities. Outputs: -Planning and execution of exercise itself. -Post exercise analysis by NZDF and academic team. -Publications on procedural and conceptual - Massey University (2017)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Dr Anna Powles' research interests are::

  • Geopolitics of the Pacific Islands region
  • Security Sector Reform and Governance
  • Private Military Security Companies
  • Pacific Islands regional security, conflict and politics
  • Women, Peace and Security
  • New Zealand defence and foreign policy
  • Regional and UN peacekeeping
  • Geographic areas of focus: Pacific Island states, Timor Leste, West Papua, Oceania, Antarctica



Thematics

21st Century Citizenship

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Defence Studies (160604): International Relations (160607): Political Science (160600): Studies In Human Society (160000)

Keywords

  • Pacific Islands security, politics and conflict 
  • Private military and security companies
  • United Nations peace operations and peacekeeping; stabilisation operations
  • New Zealand defence and foreign policy; New Zealand on the UN Security Council
  • Regional peacekeeping
  • Security Sector Governance
  • Southeast Asia (Timor Leste, West Papua)
  • Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 2 1

Research Outputs

Journal

Powles, A. (2021). Identity, national security and influence: The Pacific Reset and shaping New Zealand's relations with the Pacific Islands. Development Bulletin. (82), 32-36 Retrieved from http://crawford.anu.edu.au/rmap/devnet/dev-bulletin.php
[Journal article]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Powles, AR., & Powles, MJ. (2017). New Zealand's Pacific policies: Time for a reset?. New Zealand International Review. 42(2), 16-21
[Journal article]Authored by: Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon

Book

Azizian, R., Choi, S., Belgrave, D., Greener, B., Harding, N., Hoverd, W., . . . Prinsen, .(2018). The 2018 Strategic Defence Statement: Ten Different Views from Massey Scholars.
[Discussion Paper]Authored by: Azizian, R., Belgrave, D., Choi, S., Greener, B., Harding, N., Hoverd, W., Powles, A., Prinsen, J.Edited by: Greener, B.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Powles, AR. (2018). New Zealand’s strategic influence and interests in an increasingly Global Pacific. In RG. Patman, I. Iati, & B. Kiglics (Eds.) New Zealand And The World: Past, Present And Future. (pp. 169 - 185). : World Scientific
[Chapter]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read Online: DOI icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR. (2017). New Zealand and the Pacific Islands Region: Change, challenges and new ideas. In New Zealand National Security Challenges, Trends and Issues. (pp. 90 - 108). : Massey University Press
[Chapter]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Powles, AR. (2015). Finding common ground: New Zealand and regional security cooperation in the Pacific. In Regionalism, Security and Cooperation in Oceania. (pp. 79 - 95). United States of America: Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies
[Chapter]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR. (2015). Beyond Reforming the Sector: Security Sector Development in Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands. In United Nations Peacekeeping Challenge The Importance of the Integrated Approach. (pp. 203 - 215). : Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
[Chapter]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Gardner, D., Hopner, V., McNaught, A., Nelson, NRP., & Chamberlain, K. (2015). Processes to support psychological well-being in deployed personnel. In A. Powles, N. Partow, & N. Nelson (Eds.) United Nations Peacekeeping Challenge: The Importance of the Integrated Approach. (pp. 131 - 148). Farnham, England: Ashgate
[Chapter]Authored by: Gardner, D., Hopner, V., Nelson, N.Edited by: Nelson, N., Powles, A.
Powles, AR., Partow, N., & Nelson, N. (Eds.) (2015). United nations peacekeeping challenge: The importance of the integrated approach. Farnham, United Kingdon: Ashgate
[Edited Book]Authored by: Partow, N.Edited by: Nelson, N., Partow, N., Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
1
Zoller, HM., & Dutta, MJ. (2011). Introduction. In Emerging Perspectives in Health Communication: Meaning, Culture, and Power. (pp. 358 - 364).
[Chapter]Authored by: Dutta, M., Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
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Report

Powles, AR. (2016). Australia in the South Pacific. Australian Strategic Policy Instutute.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
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Powles, AR. (2016). Mapping the privates security in the Pacific Islands Region.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Powles, A.
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powles, AR., & Sousa-Santos, JL. (2016). Principled Re-engagement: Rebuilding defence ties with Fiji. ( Report No. Analysis). Lowy Institute of International Affairs.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR., & Cox, B. (2014). Protecting civilians in an urban conflict lessons learned from Australia’s deployment following the Timor Leste crisis 2006-2007. Australian Civil Military Centre.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
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Powles, AR. (2013). The private sector, the Solomon Islands and the peace-economic dividend. Australian Civil Military Centre.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Conference

Powles, A. (2018). Pacific Climate Change and Security Wananga. Pacific Climate Change and Security Wananga Report. : Pacific Climate Change and Security Wananga
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Powles, AR.The dynamics of private security companies in post-conflict Solomon Islands. . Brisbane, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Powles, A.
Powles, AR.(2015, May). New Zealand National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2015 – 2019. .
[Conference]Authored by: Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.Edited by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR., & Powles, AR.NZ Perspectives on Regional Security Cooperation Mechanisms: What do effective and resilient regional security practices and cooperation mechanisms look like? Paper presented at the "Regional Security Governance and Architecture in the Pacific Islands Region: Priorities For A Resilient Future"Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies Workshop, Port Vila, 4-8 August 2014. . Vanuatu
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR., & Greener, B.After the Missions Symposium: A Less Operational World?. . Centre for Strategic Studies, Victoria University, Wellington
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Greener, B., Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
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Powles, AR.Protection of Civilians. Presented at Council for International Development Civil Miltary Forum 2013
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Powles, A.

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Other

Greener, B., Prinsen, G., Powles, A., & Harding, N. (2018). Terms of Engagement: When Academe meets Military. In SPDN Working Papers(pp. 1 - 21). In Massey University: Security Politics Development Network Massey University
[Working Paper]Authored by: Greener, B., Harding, N., Powles, A.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Powles, A., Wallis, J., & Newton-Cain, T. (2018). Chinese Whispers and Pacific Agency. : Lowy Interpreter
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, A., & Wallis, J. (2018). Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Islands: Ambiguous Allies?. In Centre of GravityIn Canberra: Australian National University
[Working Paper]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, A., & Powles, M. (2018). Taking New Zealand's Pacific Reset to the Pacific Islands Forum. : Incline
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, A., & Wallis, J. (2018). Chinese Whispers and the Geopolitics of the Pacific Islands. Asia Global Institute University of Hong Kong
[Other]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Greener, BK., & Powles, AR. (2015). The 'sons - and daughters - of ANZAC?'.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Greener, B., Powles, A.
Greener, BK., & Powles, AR. (2015). Building natural disaster capacity in the Pacific. : ASPI Strategist
[Internet publication]Authored by: Greener, B., Powles, A.
Powles, AR. (2015). What is New Zealand's mission in Iraq?. : Lowy Interpreter
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Powles, AR., & Powles, AR. (2014). What will New Zealand do with its UN Security Council seat?. : Lowy Interpreter
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Powles, AR., Powles, AR., & True, J. (2014). What Can New Zealand Do on the United Nations Security Council to Advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda?. : Women, Peace and Security Academic Collective
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR., Powles, AR., & Greener, B. (2014). NZ must leave trenches if serious about UN role. : The New Zealand Herald
[Internet publication]Authored by: Greener, B., Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
Read Abstract: abstract icon
Powles, AR., & Powles, AR. (2013). Xanana Gusmao-Mauk Moruk: Timor struggles with its past and future. : Lowy Interpreter
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.Contributed to by: Powles, A.
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Powles, AR., & Powles, AR. (2013). Future NZ: A Seat at the Top Table. : The New Zealand Herald
[Internet publication]Authored by: Powles, A.
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Consultancy and Languages

Consultancy

  • Nov 2016 - Jan 2017 - United Nations Development Programme
    Private Security Sector Governance in the Pacific Specialist
  • Oct 2014 - Oxfam Australia
    Reviewed Pacific Small Arms Action Group report on "Arms, Gender and Security in the Pacific"
  • April-May 2013 - Kings College Humanitarian Future's Programme
    Multi-country study into the role of the private sector in post-conflict recovery. Undertook Solomon Islands and Regional Assistance to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) country study.
  • Aug 2011-Jan 2012 - Australian Civil Military Centre
    Commissioned by the Australian Civil Military Centre to conduct lessons learned policy research analysing Australia’s engagement in Timor Leste in response to the 2006 crisis
  • May 2011 - Oxfam Australia
    Commissioned by Oxfam Australia to conduct research on conflict, security, and development trends in Timor Leste to inform Oxfam’s five-year strategic planning in Timor Leste.
  • Nov 2010-Jan 2011 - United Nations Development Programme
    Commissioned by UNDP to independently evaluate the European Union-funded United Nations Security Sector Review project in Timor Leste
  • April-Sept 2009 - Norwegian Refugee Council
    Member of independent evaluation team commissioned to evaluate the Norwegian Refugee Council’s emergency humanitarian response programs in Timor-Leste

Languages

  • Tetum
    Last used: 2013
    Spoken ability: Average
    Written ability: Average

Teaching and Supervision

Teaching Statement

  • 149715 Asia Pacific Security Environment (postgraduate paper taught at the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Academy and extramurally)
  • 149701 New Zealand Strategic Environment (postgraduate paper taught at the New Zealand Defence Command and Staff College and extramurally)
  • Supervision of doctoral and masters-level students

Courses Coordinated

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 5 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Steven MacBeth - Doctor of Philosophy
    New Wars-Old Platforms; Conceptualizing 21st Century Security Policy in the Grey Zone
  • Amy Brosnan - Doctor of Philosophy
    NZ Army's Women in Combat
  • Tasmia Tahira - Doctor of Philosophy
    A study on Civil-military Relations in Pakistan
  • Vanessa Bramwell - Doctor of Philosophy
    Child security: A critical analysis of theory and practice
  • Brian Nelson - Doctor of Philosophy
    Mass Atrocities: When is it ripe to intervene?

Media and Links

Media

  • 26 Feb 2015 - Online
    What is New Zealand's mission in Iraq?
    Analysis of New Zealand's Building Partner Capacity non-combat deployment to Iraq published in the Lowy Interpreter
  • 24 Oct 2015 - Magazine
    NZ gains UNSC seat but questions remain
    Interview with the National Business Review on NZ's win at the United Nations Security Council
  • 19 Oct 2014 - Television
    NZ gains seat on the UN Security Council
    Interview with TV3 Three60 on New Zealand's successful win of a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council
  • 02 Mar 2105 - Radio
    Iraq-bound troops given option to withdraw
    Radio New Zealand Morning Report interview on New Zealand deployment to Iraq