Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta

The Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) promotes research and training on economic, social, cultural, ecological and geographical aspects of islands and small states. Based at the University of Malta (UM), the Institute offers a suite of undergraduate and post-graduate programmes of study and is world-wide the only University institution with a doctoral programme in the field of Islands and Small States Studies. The ISSI undertakes and publishes research on issues relating to islands and small states and collaborates with many international, regional and local organisations on these issues. 

With its 30 years of experience, the Institute has acquired an international reputation as a centre of excellence in islands and small states studies. It currently hosts three research platforms:  the Climate Change Platform (CCP), the Island Tourism Platform (ITP) and the Small States Health Platform (SSHP).  The latter platform supports the ISSI in its role as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre on Health Systems and Policies in Small States.  Moreover, the ISSI has been coordinating training workshops organised by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Commonwealth Secretariat on islands and small states studies. The ISSI also hosts the Small States and Territories (SST) Journal.