The Australian National University's Department of Pacific Affairs (DPA) (formerly known as the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia (SSGM) program) is the leading international centre for applied multidisciplinary research and analysis concerning contemporary state, society and governance in Melanesia and the broader Pacific. Situated within the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, DPA seeks to set the international standard for scholarship on the region.. Its publications include:

Discussion Papers (1996- )

Since 1996 SSGM has been producing a Discussion Paper series, addressing current issues effecting development in the region and of interest to a wide audience of academics, policy-makers and others interested in issues in contemporary Melanesia, Timor Leste, and the broader Pacific. It is one of the most widely cited set of materials on the contemporary Pacific. The series is authored by a mix of academics, policy makers and civil society actors from Australia and the region, and covers a range of topics including gender, governance, livelihoods, poverty, political systems, conflict and peace building, and law and justice.

In Brief (2013- )

In Briefs are academic and evidence-based works, rather than opinion pieces, and are also double peer reviewed.

Working Paper (2000- )

The SSGM's Working Paper Series encompasses a variety of conference, seminar or other work-in-progress papers.

Studies in State and Society in the Pacific

SSGM also produces a book series through ANU Press and includes either single author monographs or edited collections for the series.