What are the greatest foreign policy challenges Australia faces? How should it respond to a trade war, or to Indonesia’s changing politics, or to southern Pacific rivalries? What role should it play in the Asia-Pacific into the future?
At Australian Foreign Affairs, we seek to encourage voices with unique perspectives on Australia’s place in the Asia-Pacific and its relationships within the region.
Contributions must be 1500–2000 words and previously unpublished. Authors whose work is selected will receive AU$100 and a one-year print and digital subscription to Australian Foreign Affairs (valued at $49.99), and will collaborate with Australian Foreign Affairs editors to shape and refine their piece.
Pieces could be on-the-ground reportage, commentary, analysis or even memoir. The only qualification is an engaging, accessible and thoughtful examination of Australia’s foreign policy and the nation’s position in the world. We encourage writers to avoid foreign policy jargon and to appeal to a wide readership. See past issues of Australian Foreign Affairs or this extract as a guide.
Writers do not have to be foreign affairs experts: journalists, academics, aid workers, policy advisers, students and other interested readers are encouraged to submit. We hope to foster and promote a diverse stable of writers from Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and to encourage discussion on foreign affairs that represents a range of views in the broader Australian community.
Submission for the next round will open on Sunday, 30 September. Please read the submission guidelines before applying.
Through our Next Voices series, we look forward to discovering Australia’s newest and best foreign-policy commentators.
Submissions are currently closed
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Past submissions
- October 2019 – China Dependence: Australia’s New Vulnerability
- Read winning pieces:
“Minding the Gaps” by Hugh Aliprandi
“Digital Dominance” by Thom Dixon - Read our interviews with the winners here and view all the finalists here.
- Read winning pieces:
- July 2019 – Our Sphere of Influence: Rivalry in the Pacific
- Read winning pieces:
“A Pacific Overstep” by Philippa Louey
“West Papuan Independence” by Dominic Simonelli
“Pacific Approach Needs A Human Touch” by Alastair Davis
“Let’s Take A Step Back Before We Step Up” by Dom Dwyer - Read our interviews with the winners here and view all the finalists here.
- Read winning pieces:
- March 2019 – Are We Asian Yet? History vs Geography
- Read the winning pieces:
“Indonesia Calling” by David Fettling
“Foreign Policy with an Australian Accent” by Isabella Ostini
“The New Australia” by Edward Wong - Read our interviews with the winners here and view all the finalists here.
- Read the winning pieces:
