I have over 20 years of experience working as an international community engaged applied researcher in PNG, Australia and across the Pacific. I established strategic partnerships to enhance project outcomes. I actively work with national and international organisations, such as DFAT and UN agencies, to undertake knowledge transfer of transformative approaches into programs addressing national and global issues. Over the past six years my research has focused on solutions to wicked problems including, health, climate change gender-based violence and gender transformative change more broadly. My work is underpinned by cross cutting priorities informed by diverse cultural knowledge systems. I lead large diverse teams in complex environments that actively connect programs and stakeholders in pursuit of social justice. My work is underpinned by humanitarian principles that value the dignity of human life.
Women Make the Change - UN Women (DFAT and NZAID), Yumi Sanap Strong Inc. (2023/24)
Program Lead: UN Women’s efforts to support more women to get into the PNG National Parliament.
PNG COVID-19 Campaign’ project, BighART, Vatava and ABC International Development, Yumi Sanap Strong. (2023): The project developed strategies to build trust in health workers in PNG communities to counter misinformation about immunisation and support health initiatives in PNG communities.
Capacity Strengthening Advisor International Projects
Creative Approaches for Impact in International Development - DFAT Pacific - Program Lead (20/21)
The project integrates creative approaches into program design and implementation for impact in international development in partnership with DFAT and UN Women. Established relationships with external partners, fostering collaboration and information-sharing opportunities for the benefit of project partners.
Developing Communication Strategies for Social Change against sorcery related violence in Papua New Guinea - Yumi Sanap Strong (DFAT Pacific Women) Program Lead (2016-2022)
Led design, development and capacity strengthening program outcomes for DFAT Pacific Women partners including
Applied for and go unto 5 million in International Aid grants including DFAT grants
Board Membership
Reports
Thomas, V., Kauli, J., (2023). Pisin I gat Tupela Wing, Women Make Change Community Dialogues Phase II Report UN Women & Yumi Sanap Strong.
Kauli, J., & Thomas V (2023). I love where I live Toolkit, PNG COVID-19 Campaign’. BighART Inc, Tasmania, Australia
Thomas, V., Kauli, J., Levy, C., & Rawstorne, P. (2019). Bougainville Audience Study - Niupela Wokabaut Bilong Bogenvil - Phase 2. Directorate of Media and Communication, Autonomous Bougainville Government and Queensland University of Technology, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Digital Stories
Kauli, J. (Co-Producer) & Thomas, V. (Co-Producer) (2022). Women Make Change [13 digital stories] UNWomen Papua New Guinea and Queensland University of Technology. www.vimeo.com/showcase/womenmakechange
Kauli, J. (Producer & Director) & Thomas, V. (Producer & Director) (2023). Niupela Umba [documentary film series 41 minutes] Queensland University of Technology, Yumi Sanap Strong, Yumi Piksa.
Kauli, J. (Lead Researcher and Field Producer) Yumi Sanap Strong [41 x Digital Stories] Developing communication strategies to addressing sorcery accusation related violence in Papua New Guinea. University of Goroka and Queensland University of Technology. (2017 & 2018) www.yumisanapstrong.org
Journal Articles and Book Chapters
Kauli, J., Thomas, V. (2018) Communicating the law: A participatory communication toolkit for human rights defenders in Papua New Guinea. Oxfam PNG/Australia, Highlands Women Human Rights Defenders Movement, Queensland University of Technology, Goroka, Papua New Guinea.
Kauli, J., Thomas, V. (2020) When you kill the body, do you kill the spirit? Curating affectual performances addressing violence related to sorcery accusations in Papua New Guinea, Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, 25:3, 351-363.
Thomas, V., Kauli, J. (2020) Strengthening the voices of human rights defenders in the media. A case study on addressing sorcery accusation-related violence in Papua New Guinea, Pacific Journalism Review 26 (1) 2020
Kauli, J., Thomas, V. (2019) Media Practice and Theatre in Conversation: Co-Creating Narratives for Positive Social Change. ArtsPraxis, Volume 5 Issue 2.