From the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA) Committee @CBLG

June marks Pride Month—a moment to uplift the voices, experiences, and contributions of LGBTQI+ communities. At CITBA, we proudly stand in support of this celebration and join our colleagues in reaffirming our commitment to inclusion, respect, and belonging for all.

This month is not only about visibility—it's a call to action.

🌈 We encourage staff to reflect on what inclusion looks like in teaching, research, leadership, and day-to-day university life. Diversity is not just a value—it’s a practice.

📚 Resources

For those who want to deepen their inclusive teaching or team practice:

🔹 Out for Australia – Allyship & Inclusion
🔹 La Trobe / Rainbow Health – Supporting Trans Students
🔹 Universities Australia – Respect. Now. Always.
🔹 JCU Library – Books like “The Queering of Higher Education” by Kristen A. Renn

💬 Five Simple Actions You Can Take This Month

✅ Complete the Learning Hub course
📣 Use inclusive pronouns and review your materials
🎨 Display visible allyship (e.g., syllabus notes, digital symbols)
📘 Integrate diverse voices in your curriculum or team work
🗣 Start a conversation – share this post or ask for feedback

We’re proud to share that Associate Professor Dr. Taha Chaiechi, Head of CITBA, will be presenting at the prestigious Developing Northern Australia (DNA) Conference, hosted this year in Cairns.

The DNA Conference is one of Australia’s most influential regional events, bringing together senior ministers, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to shape the future of the North. This year’s program features a Ministerial Forum chaired by Dr Allan Dale, alongside addresses from The Hon. Madeleine King (Minister for Resources and Northern Australia), Senator Susan McDonald, and key representatives from Queensland, WA, and the NT.

🎤 Taha’s Presentation:

First Nations Economic Empowerment through Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Sustainable Enterprise Development

“I’m pleased to present at DNA 2025, especially as the conference returns to Cairns — a region deeply connected to both cultural heritage and regional innovation.In my presentation, I will explore how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) can serve not only as cultural heritage but as economic infrastructure that underpins sustainable enterprise and self-determined development.”
— A/Prof. Taha Chaiechi

Her presentation will explore how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) can serve as economic infrastructure — not only preserving cultural heritage but also enabling sustainable, self-determined development for First Nations communities.

Drawing on her global work with UNDP (Making Nature’s Value Visible) and her upcoming book Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Radical Guide for Decision Makers (releasing 16 July), A/Prof Chaiechi will demonstrate how frameworks like Total Economic Value (TEV) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) can unlock the tangible and intangible value of TEK.

This includes:

• 🌿 Market-based opportunities: eco-tourism, regenerative agriculture, carbon markets
• 🧠 Cultural & social value: language, intergenerational knowledge, Elder governance
• 📊 Tools for embedding TEK in policy, funding, and regional strategy

📎 View the full conference program [here]
📌 Stay tuned for post-conference insights in CITBA’s next research digest!

🌟 The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is thrilled to celebrate a remarkable achievement — the successful completion of a PhD by one of our own, Dr. Dwi Sugiharti!

🏛️ Dr. Sugiharti, a passionate development planner with the Indonesian government, has been a valued CITBA PhD candidate at James Cook University. Her doctoral research explored a topic of both local significance and global relevance:
🔍 "Community-based Tourism in Villages Surrounding Borobudur Temple in Central Java and an Inclusive and Sustainable Path to the 2030 Agenda."

💡 Using a rigorous mixed-methods approach, her work shines a light on how participatory tourism can empower communities, support sustainability, and align with broader development goals.

🌏 Her research aligns perfectly with CITBA’s mission to promote applied, impactful scholarship that drives regional innovation and inclusive economic growth.

👏 We are incredibly proud of Dr. Sugiharti and look forward to her continued contributions to community-driven development and sustainable tourism — both in Indonesia and across the Asia-Pacific.

🎓✨ Well done, Dr. Sugiharti — your journey is just beginning!

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) proudly reaffirms its support for JCU’s Research Direction 8: Supporting the Transition to Nature-Positive Economies, which focuses on decarbonisation, the circular economy, sustainable innovation, and advanced manufacturing.

As a key contributor to this strategic direction, CITBA continues to drive interdisciplinary research that advances value creation, sustainability metrics, climate-aligned finance, and policy innovation across Northern Queensland and the Asia-Pacific. Our current projects and recent funding programs are closely aligned with RD8’s emphasis on systems transformation and impact-focused collaboration.

We are also proud to note that many of our CITBA members have been invited to contribute to other Research Directions across the university – a testament to the depth, diversity, and excellence of our academic community.

Looking forward, CITBA will continue to support the broader JCU Research Directions Framework by:

• Encouraging active collaboration across colleges and centres;
• Aligning our research pipelines with both university priorities and real-world demand;
• Offering mentorship, funding opportunities, and outreach platforms that amplify applied, interdisciplinary impact.

In May 2025, CITBA’s Associate Professor Taha Chaiechi facilitated a dynamic two-day workshop in Cairns focused on Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), tailored for a cohort of senior public sector professionals from the Pacific region. The program aimed to strengthen analytical capacity and promote evidence-based economic decision-making in public investment and policy.

The training offered a comprehensive overview of CBA fundamentals through to advanced applications, illustrating the practical importance of this tool for evaluating investment options and policy proposals. Designed to foster confidence and competence in economic appraisal, the sessions provided attendees with frameworks to assess the broader social, environmental, and financial impacts of proposed projects.

Delivered in partnership with regional stakeholders and supported by DFAT, the workshop received highly positive feedback, with participants highlighting its practical relevance, clarity of delivery, and inclusive learning environment.

Encouraged by the success of the program, discussions are now underway for further tailored CBA workshops to support policy professionals across the Pacific, advancing sustainable development and regional economic resilience.

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is pleased to announce the successful recipients of its 2025 Small Grants Scheme. This annual funding round supports early-stage research projects aligned with CITBA’s mission to promote sustainable development, innovation, and regional collaboration across Asia and the Pacific.

📊 This year’s round attracted a diverse, interdisciplinary pool of applications, with 10 outstanding projects selected for funding. Each project aligns with CITBA’s mission to advance research that supports:

• ✅ Sustainable Development
• 🔄 Circular Economy & Innovation
• 🌏 Regional Economic Resilience
• 📡 Digital and AI-driven Transformation

Each selected project demonstrates a clear commitment to CITBA’s core themes: interdisciplinary collaboration, real-world application, and relevance to both local and regional priorities.

The successful projects and their leads include:

We warmly congratulate all recipients and look forward to showcasing their progress through different research communications throughout the year. We also look forward to seeing these projects unfold and result in meaningful academic contributions, practical applications, and strengthened regional and international partnerships.

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is excited to announce the launch of its 2025 Small Research Grants Funding Round, made possible through a $30,000 internal research allocation from Research Division @ JCU.

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is excited to announce the launch of its 2025 Small Research Grants Funding Round, made possible through a $30,000 internal research allocation from James Cook University (JCU).

This competitive grant scheme offers funding of up to $5,000 per project to support innovative research aligned with JCU Research Direction 8 – Supporting the Transition to Nature-Positive Economies. Areas of focus include decarbonisation, the circular economy, AI-enabled innovation, and economic resilience.

Proposals are invited under four key thematic areas:

• Social license, sustainability & innovation
• Decarbonisation & environmental markets
• Circular economy & sustainable business models
• AI for trade, business continuity & economic resilience

Eligibility:
At least one team member must be a CITBA member. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a current JCU academic, research staff member, or enrolled PhD student. External collaborators are welcome.

🗓 Application deadline: 30 April 2025
📢 Funding outcomes announced: May 2025

🔗 Call for Proposals and Application Form are available upon request.

For further information, please contact CITBA at CITBA@jcu.edu.au or reach out to Assoc Prof Taha Chaiechi at taha.chaiechi@jcu.edu.au.

James Cook University (JCU).

This competitive grant scheme offers funding of up to $5,000 per project to support innovative research aligned with JCU Research Direction 8 – Supporting the Transition to Nature-Positive Economies. Areas of focus include decarbonisation, the circular economy, AI-enabled innovation, and economic resilience.

Proposals are invited under four key thematic areas:

• Social license, sustainability & innovation
• Decarbonisation & environmental markets
• Circular economy & sustainable business models
• AI for trade, business continuity & economic resilience

Eligibility:
At least one team member must be a CITBA member. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a current JCU academic, research staff member, or enrolled PhD student. External collaborators are welcome.

🗓 Application deadline: 30 April 2025
📢 Funding outcomes announced: May 2025

🔗 Call for Proposals and Application Form are available upon request.

For further information, please contact CITBA at CITBA@jcu.edu.au or reach out to Assoc Prof Taha Chaiechi at taha.chaiechi@jcu.edu.au.

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is delighted to welcome Dr. Li Xian Liu as its newest member. Dr. Liu brings a wealth of academic expertise and a strong interdisciplinary background in finance and economics. He earned his PhD from RMIT University in 2011, where he was awarded the prestigious Australian Postgraduate Award scholarship.

Prior to joining James Cook University, Dr. Liu held teaching and coordination roles in undergraduate and postgraduate finance programs—including MBAs—at several leading Australian institutions such as ANU, the University of Canberra, University of South Australia, and Curtin University. His diverse academic experience and deep understanding of financial systems will significantly enrich CITBA’s research and teaching capabilities.

We are thrilled to have Dr. Liu on board and look forward to his contributions to advancing CITBA’s mission in sustainable trade and economic resilience across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) is proud to share key highlights from its research performance, as reported in SciVal analytics for the period 2021–2024:

• 337 research outputs
• Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): 1.37 – well above the global average
• 72.5% of outputs published in Q1-ranked journals
• 19.6% of outputs ranked among the top 10% most cited globally

These impressive outcomes reflect the hard work, collaboration, and scholarly excellence of CITBA’s dedicated researchers and academic partners. We sincerely thank all contributing members for their tireless efforts in delivering impactful, high-quality research that continues to shape the future of trade, business, and economic resilience in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

On 8 March 2025, Dr. Manisha Agarwal, a distinguished academic and researcher from James Cook University Singapore and active member of CITBA (Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia), delivered a compelling presentation at the 22nd EdukCircle International Convention on Tourism and Hospitality.

Dr. Agarwal’s session, titled "Embracing Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism – Emerging Trends and Opportunities", explored the evolving landscape of sustainable practices within the global tourism and hospitality sectors. Her presentation highlighted innovative industry trends, key research insights, and the growing demand for nature-positive and socially responsible approaches in tourism development.

The convention brought together leading educators, practitioners, and thought leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, fostering an enriching exchange of ideas on the future of hospitality education and practice.

CITBA congratulates Dr. Agarwal on her excellent contribution and ongoing work at the intersection of sustainability, tourism, and international business.

Dr. Ratna Devi Pillai, Lecturer in the School of Business at James Cook University Singapore and member of CITBA, will be delivering a special public lecture in celebration of International Women’s Day on 18 March 2025, from 4:00–5:00 PM SGT at the Singapore Campus (Room C2-15).

Titled “Embracing Empowerment and Leadership in a Changing World,” the lecture will explore the evolving role of women in leadership, innovation, and sustainability in the business and education sectors. Dr. Pillai’s deep commitment to inclusive academic leadership and cross-cultural dialogue makes her an inspiring voice in this year’s celebrations.

CITBA congratulates Dr. Pillai on this meaningful contribution and encourages students, staff, and community members to register and attend this empowering event.

Sustainable Futures and the Asia-Pacific: Innovation, Integration and Impact
📅 11–12 September 2025
📍 James Cook University Singapore | 149 Sims Drive, Singapore 387380

CITBA is proud to host the inaugural SEIGOP 2025 Conference, bringing together leading minds in sustainability, organisational psychology, innovation, and economic integration. This is a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, practical insights, and regional perspectives on sustainable futures.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss It:

• Gain insight into how evidence-based practices shape impactful policy, business, and community outcomes.
• Connect with global thought leaders and interdisciplinary experts.
• Explore publication pathways with our partners, including The Black Hole Group (Diamond Sponsor) and Emerald Publishing.

🔗 Registration is now open – secure your place and be part of the conversation shaping the Asia-Pacific region’s future.

https://www.jcu.edu.sg/seigop-2025

CITBA is proud to announce that CBLG Adjunct Research Fellow and CITBA member Dr Kym Davis is the successful recipient of the prestigious  AHRI Scholarship for 2024.

The scholarship will assist Dr Davis's continued research on Employee Engagement in Shared Services. This research explores the lived experiences of individuals working in shared services environments to uncover the factors that influence employee engagement.  The project aims to identify strategies and practices that HR professionals, Managers, and other stakeholders can implement to foster positive and supportive workplaces tailored to the unique needs of shared services settings. With support from the scholarship Dr Davis has the opportunity to conduct this research through an Asia-Pacific lens directly benefiting our region.

If you would like further information or to contribute to the study please contact Dr Davis via kym.davis@jcu.edu.au and/or visit her website

We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr Bill Cummings, Research Affiliate at CITBA and founder of Cummings Economics, for his longstanding contribution to economic research and regional development in Northern Australia.

Established in 1981 by W.S. (Bill) and J.G. Cummings, Cummings Economics has played a pivotal role in providing professional economic research and analysis, with a strong focus on northern and regional Australia. The firm’s dedication to understanding regional economies has made it a highly respected source of insight for policymakers, businesses, and researchers alike. Complementing this, Compass Research, as the market research arm of Cummings Economics, has further enriched this legacy by delivering valuable data and consumer intelligence.

We are especially grateful to Mr Cummings for his generous donation of an extensive archive of tourism reports and economic data dating back to 1986. This rich body of research represents an invaluable resource for students and researchers at CITBA, as well as across the broader College of Business, Law and Governance at James Cook University.

Access to these historical datasets and regional insights will significantly strengthen our teaching, research, and applied economic studies, particularly in areas such as tourism development, regional economic policy, and business strategy. It provides a foundation for critical analysis, longitudinal research, and evidence-based learning that will benefit generations of students.

We deeply value Mr Cummings’ continued support and partnership, and we look forward to building further collaborative initiatives with Cummings Economics in advancing regional and economic development in Northern Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

As we step into 2025, we’d like to wish all our members, collaborators, and supporters a Happy New Year! 🥳🎊

We are looking forward to another productive and impactful year 📈💡—continuing our work in international trade, business, and sustainability 🌏📊, and fostering collaborations that drive research, industry engagement, and policy impact 🤝📖.

🚀 What’s ahead in 2025?
✅ Hosting the SEIGOP Conference in JCU Singapore 🇸🇬🎤
✅ Advancing key research projects and industry collaborations 🔬📑
✅ Providing training opportunities for academics & professionals 🎓📚
✅ Strengthening our academic publishing efforts through the Journal of Resilient Economies (JRE)—a JCU open-access journal 📖🖥️ associated with CITBA, dedicated to research on economic resilience, sustainability, and innovation. We encourage scholars to explore and submit their work!

Stay tuned for exciting updates, and as always, we welcome your ideas, collaborations, and contributions 💭💼 to help shape CITBA’s journey in 2025!

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the year! 🎇🎊

📢 Check out the Journal of Resilient Economies here:  https://journals.jcu.edu.au/index.php/jre/index

As we kick off 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous success of the 3rd International Conference on Business, Economics, Management, and Sustainability (BEMAS 2024)—CITBA’s signature conference, which took place from October 23-25, 2024, at JCU Cairns 🏝️🏛️ and via livestream 💻.

📢 Theme: “Reskilling Horizons: AI, The Future of Work, and the Quest for a Resilient, Sustainable Tomorrow”
BEMAS 2024 brought together leading researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to explore how AI, workforce transformation, and sustainability challenges are reshaping economies and businesses worldwide.

🌟 Key Highlights:
✅ Engaging discussions on AI-driven workforce transformation, sustainability, and economic resilience 🔬🌱
✅ Diverse global participation thanks to our hybrid format 🌏💻
✅ High-impact research presentations from scholars and professionals across disciplines 📊📈

The conference received significant recognition and fostered meaningful collaborations, reinforcing CITBA’s role in advancing research and industry engagement.

A huge thank you to all our speakers, participants, and organizers for making BEMAS 2024 a success! 🎉👏 We look forward to another year of impactful research and collaboration.

🔗 Want to revisit the highlights? Check out the details here:  https://www.jcu.edu.au/citba/conferences/bemas-2024

Happy New Year! 🎉 As we step into 2025, we take a moment to reflect on CITBA’s impactful journey throughout 2024. Last year was filled with remarkable achievements, insightful research, and strong collaborations, all of which helped solidify CITBA’s role as a hub for transformative research and engagement. Here are some key takeaways from the past year:

🔹 Expanding Global Reach: Our MEASURE Workshop series made a mark in India, furthering JCU’s international engagement and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
🔹 BEMAS 2024 – A Resounding Success: The 3rd International BEMAS Conference brought together leading experts to discuss AI, the future of work, and sustainable resilience, with extensive media coverage and strong industry participation.
🔹 Cutting-Edge Research & Publications: From exploring board diversity to socio-economic impacts of tourism, CITBA members continued to contribute to globally relevant research. The Journal of Resilient Economies (JRE) also expanded with two special issues in 2024.
🔹 New Faces & Growing Networks: We welcomed new researchers, PhD students, and industry consultants, strengthening our research capabilities and industry connections.
🔹 Policy & Industry Influence: CITBA’s Cost-Benefit Analysis training gained momentum in the public sector, and our collaboration with AustCham continued to provide valuable business insights.
🔹 CITBA Vision Day 2024: We concluded the year with a strategic planning session, shaping the centre’s future direction for 2025 and beyond.

💡 What’s Next for 2025?
We’re excited to build on last year’s success with more impactful research, industry partnerships, and global collaborations. Stay tuned for upcoming seminars, publications, and engagement opportunities!

📢 Stay Connected! Follow us on our social media platforms and keep an eye on upcoming CITBA events.

Here’s to another productive and inspiring year ahead! 🚀