Scholars of many varied disciplines from the Australian National University have studied the development of medicine and technology in Papua New Guinea, including anthropologists, sociologists, political scientists, historians, ethnographers, ethno-botanists, medical doctors and scientists. They have contributed to a large collection of documents, photographs, and academic papers relating to different aspects of science and medicine held at the Pacific Research Archives of the Australian National University. The aspects studied have varied from traditional medicines and beliefs to the expansion of healthcare in Papua New Guinea, to studies on individual aspects of disease outbreak and control.
The collections of Donald Denoon, Hank Nelson, Norma McArthur, Robert (Bob) Glasse, Marie Reay, and Wes Whitten all have significant information on medicine and science in Papua New Guinea.
In addition to ANU academics, the Pacific Research Archives has also collected the papers of non-ANU affiliated people who lived and worked in Papua New Guinea and contributed significantly to medical research and the historic expansion of medical services in Papua New Guinea, particularly Sir John Gunther (Director of Public Health for the Australian Administration in the Territory of Papua New Guinea, 1946-1957) and Dr Roy Scragg (Director of Public Health for the Australian Administration of the Territory of Papua New Guinea from 1957 to independence in 1970).
