26th AASSREC Biennial General Conference Participant List

Dr. Shirin Ahmadnia is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Allameh Tabataba’i University. Her research focuses on health, gender, youth, and family dynamics in contemporary Iran, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. She has served five terms as a board member of the Iranian Sociological Association. Through teaching, publications, and international collaborations, Dr. Ahmadnia works to link sociological research with policy debates and civil society engagement.

Mr. Supoj Arevart currently serves as an Advisory Academic Committee Member of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). He holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Eastern Asia University and has extensive experience in public administration, finance, and community development. Mr. Supot has held key leadership roles in major Thai financial institutions, including SME-D Bank and the Government Savings Bank. He is also an experienced lecturer in public administration and management, contributing to academic programs at several Thai universities.

Prof. Manfred Max Bergman is Chair of Social Research and Methodology and Director of the Social Transitions Research Group at the University of Basel, Switzerland. His work on socio-sustainable transitions and social science research methods focuses on sustainability, corporate responsibility, inequality, and population health, with a strong emphasis on actionable insights for policy and practice. As principal investigator and collaborator on projects in India, Singapore, China, South Africa, and Europe, he examines how diverse stakeholders co-produce solutions for just and sustainable futures, most recently through the Proof of Transition Concepts (proTract) programme and the Indo-Swiss Research Collaborative. His research highlights how social science can support regionally grounded, transdisciplinary, and future-oriented sustainability transformations. Over the past 30 years, he has advised numerous national and international bodies on research and sustainability strategy and policy.

Arjan de Haan is Senior Program Specialist at Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), with over 30 years of experience in international development. He currently supports Southern-led research through the FCDO–IDRC Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) program, focusing on climate and equity. He directed IDRC’s Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) program, generating evidence on women’s economic empowerment. Arjan has worked at DFID, ISS, and the University of Sussex, and published widely on social policy, migration, and inequality. His work bridges research and policy to advance equity, resilience, and inclusive development in the post-2030 agenda.

Prof. B. R. Deepak is Professor of Chinese and China Studies at the Centre for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. Prof. B. R. Deepak is Professor of Chinese and China Studies at the Centre for Chinese and Southeast Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. A leading India–China scholar, he has been the recipient of several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Nehru Fellowship, the Asia Fellowship, and the India–China Cultural Exchange Fellowship for his doctoral and advanced research at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Peking University, Beijing. Prof. Deepak earned his BA, MA, and PhD in Chinese Studies from JNU, and pursued advanced training in Chinese history, language, and civilization in China. He also holds an MBA from Lancaster University Management School, UK. His academic career includes teaching and research appointments at the University of Edinburgh, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Sichuan University, Harbin Normal University, and Taiwan’s National Defense University. Author, translator, and editor of over a dozen books, Prof. Deepak’s notable works include India and China 1904–2004: A Century of Peace and Conflict, India–China Relations in the First Half of the Twentieth Century, China: Agriculture, Countryside and Peasantry, and his award-winning translation Chinese Poetry: From 11th Century BC to 14th Century AD, which received the China Special Book Award (2011). His publications span history, foreign policy, literature, agrarian studies, and civilizational dialogue. He has published over 50 research articles and book chapters in leading journals and edited volumes, contributing significantly to scholarship on India–China relations, Sino-Indian intellectual exchanges, and China studies in India. Prof. Deepak has also served as Professor and Chairperson of his Centre at JNU, Dean at Doon University, and is the long-standing Managing Editor of Think India Quarterly.

Anna is the International Programs Officer at the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, and a member of the Secretariat of AASSREC. She manages the Academy’s International Grant Programs and provides support to the AASSREC Executive Council, with a strong interest in facilitating the collaboration of international social science research and knowledge brokerage for social science research and policy impact. Anna’s qualifications include a research MA in Peace, Development, Security and International Conflict Transformation from the University of Innsbruck in Austria (the UNESCO Chair for Peace Studies), a BA in Philosophy from the University of Queensland, and she is currently pursuing postgraduate qualifications in International Law at the Australian National University.

I am working as a ‘Assistant Director’ since January 2023 in the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), Planning Division, Ministry of Planning, Bangladesh. Before this position I have been working as a ‘Budget Officer’ for 10 years. My area of expertise is Budget formulation, implementation & monitoring. Now I play role as a coordinator to conducting various Research Works, Research Methodology Training & Dissemination Seminar/Workshop in SSRC. I got the Masters of Science (M.Sc) degree in Applied Mathematics from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. I have participated in the international training course held in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand etc. during of my service.

Dr. Tek B. Gurung is an independent researcher and development professional with more than 30 years of experience. His experience includes working with Government of Nepal, UNDP, UNWOMEN, UNCDF, GIZ, IM Sweden and various NGOs in the areas of operationalising programmes (Results Based Management), sustainable development and policy formulation/recommendations. He holds a PhD in History (Sichuan University, Chengdu, China), an MPhil Anthropology (University of Cambridge, UK), and a B.Sc. in Agriculture (Tribhuvan University, Nepal). His affiliation is wide covering a number of social and professional organisations including Nepal Academy as a member of Culture and Oral History Department.

Dr. Maisarah Hasbullah is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. She holds a BSc in Policy and Management of Science and Technology and a PhD in History and Philosophy of Science. Her research interests include sustainability science, human autonomy, and artificial intelligence. Since 2020, she has served as Treasurer of the Malaysian Social Science Association. She has led and contributed to various funded projects on Women in STEM in Asia and Africa, the Islamization of science, halal science, ethics education, and inclusive research on learning disabilities (2022–2026).

Chris Hatherly commenced as CEO of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia in July, 2019. He oversees all aspects of the Academy’s operations including policy and advocacy, governance, international engagement, fundraising, school engagement and member election processes. Previously he was Director, Science Policy at the Australian Academy of Science (2015-2019) where he managed engagement between Fellows, governments and Parliament and oversaw a suite of programs intended to build science capacity and impact across a range of policy areas. From 2010 to 2014 Dr Hatherly was National Research Manager with Alzheimer’s Australia where he led philanthropic grant funding programs, acted as media spokesperson on dementia research developments, and contributed to research advocacy efforts that resulted in dementia being recognised as a national health priority area with priority funding from Government. Chris has a PhD in cognitive psychology from the Australian National University.

Siri Hettige is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Colombo. He is also the Chairman of the National Committee on Social Sciences of the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka. His published research, both nationally and internationally, has covered such themes as social inequality, sociology of education, social cost of labor migration, social policy and social protection, alcohol policy, youth activism, governance, development and conflict, political populism. During his academic career in Colombo spanning over four decades, he has also held visiting academic positions in a number of overseas universities in Europe and elsewhere.

Wonho Jang is Professor at the Department of Urban Sociology, University of Seoul. He received his Ph. D. in sociology from University of Chicago. He currently serves as President of Korean Social Science Research Council. His research area includes urban politics, urban culture, and comparative studies of the pop culture in the global world focusing on the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Currently, he is conducting research about glocal culture and social empathy. He is author of Hallyu and the Transformation of Asian Pop Culture (in Korean) and Empathy for Growing Happiness (in Korean). He has published many papers on pop culture and social empathy, including “Identification, Confucianism, and Intersubjectivity: Issues Related with Social Empathy in East Asia” and “Webtoon as a New Korean Wave in the Process of Glocalization.

Samiksha is a development professional and advocate for gender rights, labour rights and workplace safety. As the Programmes Lead at the Martha Farrell Foundation, she drives initiatives to create safe and dignified spaces for women informal workers using participatory, survivor-centric approaches, with a sharp focus on the PoSH Act, 2013. Committed to transformative change, she takes a holistic approach to empowerment, amplifying women’s voice, agency, and space to ensure they work in environments that honor their dignity and uphold their rights.

Prof. Chintamani Mahapatra, a distinguished academic, is the visionary Founder and Chairman of the Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies. As the astute Editor of the Indian Foreign Affairs Journal, published by the esteemed Association of Indian Diplomats, he has played a pivotal role in shaping discourse on international relations. His illustrious tenure as a faculty member at the School of International Studies in JNU spanned from May 1999 to May 2022. During this period, he also served as the dynamic Rector (Pro-Vice Chancellor) of Jawaharlal Nehru University, leaving an indelible mark from March 1, 2016, to February 7, 2022. Prof. Mahapatra’s influence extends beyond academia, as evidenced by his roles on significant committees and editorial boards. He has contributed his expertise as a Member of the UGC Review Committee for the Area Studies Programme, the Fellowship Expert Committee at ICSSR, and the Editorial Board of Strategic Analysis at IDSA. Notably, he held the prestigious Tagore Chair Professorship at Yunnan University of China, showcasing his international standing. His research pursuits have taken him to renowned repositories, including various US Presidential Libraries such as the Truman Library, Eisenhower Library, John F. Kennedy Library, and Johnson Library. Additionally, he has delved into archives at the US National Archives in Washington, DC, and the British Public Record Office in London. Prof. Mahapatra’s scholarly contributions are vast and impactful. He has authored and edited eight books, while his insightful chapters grace over 30 edited volumes. His extensive body of work includes more than 70 research articles published in reputable journals, reflecting his dedication to advancing knowledge in the field of international studies. Prof Chintamani Mahapatra is also a Visiting Professor at IMPRI.

Mak Sithirith earned his PhD in Geography from the Department of Geography at the National University of Singapore in 2011, where he was awarded the Wang Gungwu Medal and Prize for the best PhD dissertation. In 2014, he undertook a post-doctoral fellowship on transboundary water governance and climate change impacts in the Lower Mekong Basin at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands. In 2022, he began a second post-doctoral fellowship at WorldFish, where he concentrated on food system governance in the Mekong Delta in Cambodia. In late 2024, he was promoted to Scientist at WorldFish. In addition, Dr Mak Sithirith teaches the environment and natural resources management in a number of universities in Cambodia, including the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), where he was promoted to a Professor in 2023. In 2024, he was also invited to be a Visiting Professor at the Mohasarakham University in Thailand. He has published several peer-review publications on water governance, fisheries, Tonle Sap and the Mekong. He joins the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) as a Scientist and Director of the Centre of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE).

Professor Amitabh Mattoo is Dean and Professor, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is also Chair of the Centre of International Politics, Organisation and Disarmament Studies, and Director of the Energy Studies Programme. He serves as the President of the Indian Association of International Studies and serves on the Board of the Australia India Institute and on the Council of Central University of Jammu and Kashmir. He is also Honorary Professor of International Relations at the Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne. Amitabh Mattoo is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu and was the youngest person appointed to that position in the history of independent India. Professor Mattoo has served as a Commissioner on the Lancet Commission for the Health and Well Being of Young People. A member of the Governing council of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, the Nobel Prize winning NGO which campaigns for global disarmament, Prof. Mattoo was a member of the task force constituted by the Prime Minister on India on Global Strategic Developments. One of the few academics who has bridged the gap between academia and public policy, his advice has been sought at the highest levels of decision making in India. He chaired the most credible Track II dialogue between India and Pakistan for over a decade. He has been awarded Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards by the President of India for contribution to Education and Public Life; 2016: Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), by the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Tamil Nadu. In 1988, he topped the Indian Police Service and was allotted the Karnataka cadre, but opted out of the civil service.

Swati Mittal is a Research Fellow and Research Scholar at the Department of English, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS). She has been awarded the MRIIRS Doctoral Research Fellowship for duration of her PhD. She has authored several research papers and book chapters. She holds master’s degree in English from J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, India, where she graduated as Gold Medalist and received the Dean Merit Award. She also secured first position in her PhD coursework at MRIIRS. Swati earned prestigious All India Rank in the NPTEL course Literature and Life.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ng Miew Luan is an academic and professional specializing in education, journalism, and social sciences. She is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education and Liberal Arts, INTI International University, and serves as Deputy Director of the Center of Sustainable Business Innovation and Corporate Responsibility. Previously, she was Head of Southeast Asia Regional News and senior writer at Sin Chew Daily, Malaysia’s leading Chinese newspaper. Currently Assistant General Secretary of the Malaysian Social Sciences Association, her research covers discourse analysis, media and political communication, minority press, language and culture, education, the disabled community and SDGs-related topics.

Himanshu Shekhar Mishra is a senior journalist and one of India’s leading voices in disaster management and public policy reporting. As Senior Editor at NDTV India, he has covered major national events, governance issues, climate-related risks, and crisis response for over two decades, earning a reputation for rigorous fi eld reporting and insightful analysis. He is a member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network (2024) at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford, where he contributed to strengthening climate reporting, risk communication, and the role of media in resilience building. Mishra’s work spans television news, disaster journalism, and development communication, with a focus on early warning systems, climate adaptation, and public accountability. His reportage has helped shape national conversations on disaster preparedness, relief frameworks, and climate-induced vulnerabilities. A respected newsroom leader, he is known for his calm on-ground presence during crises, ability to distill complex policy issues for public audiences, and commitment to ethical, fact-driven journalism. Areas of Focus: Disaster Management and Response; Climate and Environment Reporting; Governance and Public Policy; Risk Communication; Development and Resilience Journalism.

Nguyen Linh Giang is Deputy Director at Institute of State and Law, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in Public Law from Toulouse 1 Capitole University, France. Her research interests are international law, international human rights law, constitutional law, the rule of law and human rights. She is the author of articles and book chapters on human rights in Vietnam and currently working on a project about responsible business practices, business and human rights in Vietnam.

Naoki Odanaka, Ph.D. (the University of Tokyo, Japan), is a professor of socio-intellectual history at the department of Economics, Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan), currently serving as a secretary of the section “social and human sciences” of the Science Council of Japan.

Shailesh Panwar serves as the Secretary of the Himalayan Action Research Centre (HARC), a nonprofit organization based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. With over two decades of experience working with rural and marginalized communities, he specializes in livelihood strategy planning, value-chain development, and supply-chain management interventions. Under his leadership, HARC has implemented numerous programmes focused on sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and community resilience across the Himalayan region. In his executive role on HARC’s Board of Directors, he combines field-based research with practical implementation to advance sustainable development initiatives in the hill regions of Uttarakhand, India.

Dr. Phan Cao Nhat Anh is currently Deputy Director – General of Vietnam Institute of South Asian and West Asian and African Studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. He is a senior researcher at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. His main research interests are security and political diplomacy issues in the Asian region. He is the author of many research works such as the co-editor of the book “Roles of India and Vietnam in Developing global South Cooperation” and co-editor of the book “50 years of Diplomatic Relations between Vietnam and India: Restrospect and Prospects”.

Adam Possamai FASSA is Professor of Sociology at Western Sydney University and the International Secretary for The Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. He is the author and editor of more than a dozen academic books, six novels, and more than 100 refereed articles and book chapters. He is a past president of the International Sociological Association’s Committee 22 on the Sociology of Religion. He was a visiting professor at the City University of New York, the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris, the Summer Institute of Hokkaido University (in remote), and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.

Dr. JC Punongbayan is an Assistant Professor at the UP School of Economics and writes a weekly column for Rappler.com. He earned his PhD from UPSE in 2021 and previously worked at the SEC, World Bank, FEU Public Policy Center, and NEDA. His research covers macroeconomics, economic history, education, and development. His first book, False Nostalgia: The Marcos “Golden Age” Myths and How to Debunk Them, was published in 2023 by Ateneo Press. In 2024, he received The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for Economics.

Rabi Raj is a social work professional and researcher with over a decade of experience spanning academia, development practice, and participatory research. An alumnus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)Mumbai, he has worked extensively on issues of urban resilience, gender equality, social inclusion, education, and climate change. His career includes teaching as an Assistant Professor at Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan & leading research and field-based initiatives at PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia). Passionate about bridging knowledge and practice, Rabi Raj focuses on empowering communities, strengthening local governance, and co-creating sustainable solutions for marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Prof. Ratnayake completed B.Sc. special degree in Geology at University of Peradeniya. He completed Master of Geoscience and Doctor of Science degrees at Shimane University, Japan. According to the AD Scientific Index, he is ranked 4th in Earth Sciences in Sri Lanka. He has authored over 70 Scopus-indexed journal articles, 16 peer-reviewed non-indexed publications, 10 book chapters, and six feature articles. His scholarly impact is evidenced by over 2,650 citations, an h-index of 26, and an i10-index of 54. He currently serves as an editorial board member, Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) and Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University.

Prof. Shamika Ravi currently serves as a Member of the EAC-PM. She is a distinguished economist and public-policy scholar. She previously held senior leadership roles as Director of Research at Brookings India, Non- Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution (Washington, D.C.), and Vice President (Economic Policy) at the Observer Research Foundation. Her work spans development economics with contributions to public health, fi nancial inclusion, urbanisation, gender equality, welfare and poverty reduction. She is widely published in international journals and writes regular op-eds for major newspapers, shaping national debates on economic and social policy. Over the past two decades, Dr. Ravi has taught at institutions such as the Indian School of Business and BITS School of Management, offering courses in Managerial Economics, Game Theory and Microfi nance. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from New York University, an M.A. in Economics from Delhi School of Economics, and a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College. Areas of Expertise: Public Policy; Development Economics; Health & Welfare Economics; Financial Inclusion; Gender; Urbanisation; Poverty Alleviation.

Dr Claire Rioult is the International Director at the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the Secretary-General for AASSREC. Prior to joining the Academy in November 2024, Claire was Lead Program Coordinator at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), where she helped design and implement a broad range of professional development programs and events, including seminars, workshops, and trainings for government entities and Asia-Pacific partners. She has also held roles in higher education at Flinders University, and previously worked in international recruitment and human resources management in the energy management and cybersecurity sectors at Schneider Electric and the Thales Group in France, Singapore, and the P.R.C. Claire holds a PhD in Early Modern History from Monash University and the University of Warwick (joint award). Her doctoral research focused on British and French commercial diplomacies in Spain between 1783 and 1808, with particular emphasis on the role of ambassadors and consuls in the context of economic imperialism. She also holds a Master’s Degree in History with a thesis on the administrative management of maritime quarantine against the plague in eighteenth century France, and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Sciences Po in Paris, as well as a Bachelor of Arts. She speaks French, English, and Spanish, and understands Italian and Portuguese.

Dr. Amiya Kumar Sahoo is an anthropologist and accomplished scholar with a distinguished academic background in Public Health and Sustainable Development. He currently serves as an ICSSR Postdoctoral Fellow at the Council for Social Development, Hyderabad. Dr. Sahoo earned his Ph.D. from the IIT (ISM), Dhanbad. Prior to his doctoral work, he completed both his M.Sc. and M.Phil. in Anthropology at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, where he cultivated a robust understanding of the bio-cultural dimensions of human societies. His interdisciplinary training equips him with a unique lens to critically engage with the complex intersections of public health and sustainable development.

Dr Roshni Sengupta is Professor of Politics at the Department of Liberal Arts, School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, IILM University Gurugram. She has previously taught at UPES, India, Institute of Intercultural Studies and Institute of Middle and Far East, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland as well as at the Leiden Institute for Area Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr Sengupta was an Erasmus-IBIES Fellow at the Leiden Institute for Area Studies. Having completed doctoral studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi in 2014, Dr Sengupta has published widely in international indexed journals, news portals, and online platforms.

Professor Sachin Kumar Sharma is the Director General of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS). With over two decades of work on international trade, development cooperation, and multilateral negotiations, he has contributed signifi cantly to global discussions on agricultural subsidies, food security, sustainability, Aid for Trade, LDC graduation, and WTO and G20 processes. A leading expert on trade policy, he has authored six books, numerous peer-reviewed articles, and several policy papers, and is widely engaged in global forums and national policymaking. His analytical work and evidence-based recommendations have been extensively used by developing countries and LDCs in WTO negotiations, including on domestic support, public stockholding, and Special and Differential Treatment. He has also played a key role in shaping G-33 positions and advancing South– South cooperation. Before joining RIS, he served as Professor at the Centre for WTO Studies (IIFT), where he led multidisciplinary teams and advised governments on trade and development issues. Professor Sharma has represented India at the last fi ve WTO Ministerial Conferences and conducted capacity-building programmes for policymakers across the Global South. He holds an M.Phil. and PhD in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, specialising in the WTO, international trade, and quantitative techniques.

Prof. Dhananjay Singh is the Member Secretary, Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, and Chairman (Additional Charge), Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology, Ministry of Education, New Delhi. He graduated in English from Government College, Itanagar, Arunachal University, in 1995, and did his M.A in English from Arunachal University, Itanagar, in 1997. He was awarded the Gold Medal by the University for his excellent academic performance during his MA. He completed his M.Phil. and Ph.D. research in English from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in 2003 and 2007 respectively. His research was in the domain of literary and cultural studies. Presently, Prof. Singh is the President of the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC). He represented the country at the 42nd General Conference on Social and Human Sciences (SHS) of UNESCO, at UNESCO, Paris. He also participated in the Global Forum on Ethics of Artificial Intelligence organised by UNESCO in collaboration with the Government of Slovenia at Brdo, Slovenia. He also served as the Director (Additional Charge) of the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Ministry of Education, New Delhi.

Saanya is the Research Assistant and Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Community-Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education. Her research interests lie at the intersection of political ecology, activism studies, and epistemological justice in knowledge production and mobilization.

Dr. Rajesh Tandon is an internationally acclaimed leader and practitioner of participatory research and development. He founded Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA) in 1982 and continue to be its Chief Functionary. He is also Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education since 2012. He has authored more than 100 articles, a dozen books and numerous training manuals. He was inducted to the International Adult and Continuing Education (ICAE) Hall of Fame (class of 2011).

Assistant Professor Dr. Nathaporn Thaijongrak is Head of the Department of History, Faculty of Social Sciences, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand. She holds a BA in History from Srinakharinwirot University, an MA in History from Chulalongkorn University, a Master II Recherche from Université de Provence, and a PhD in History and Civilizations from Université de Paris VII. Her expertise includes Southeast Asian history and Thai-Cambodian relations. She has published widely, presented at national and international conferences, and contributed to the Royal Institute of Thailand and the Kanchanaphisek Royal Chronicle Project. Her research emphasizes cross-border history and civic engagement promoting regional cooperation.

Ian Thomson works as a senior program specialist at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada’s Crown corporation that supports research on development challenges facing the global majority world. Within IDRC’s Education and Science division, he supports research programming on science, technology and innovation. Ian brings more than 25 years of experience in the international development field, working on a wide range of issues including climate change, natural resource development, labour rights and economic justice, and gender equality and inclusion. He holds engineering degrees from Queen’s University (Kingston, Ontario) and the University of Toronto.

Dr Buriata Eti Tofinga is a Pacific Island Scholar, working as a Lecturer in the School of Business and Management at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. She currently serves as the Principal Investigator and Research Lead for the Women’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Climate Resilience Project, a multi-country research initiative aimed at documenting how women utilize TEK innovatively and develop resilience in climate-vulnerable communities in the Pacific. She is an advocate for responsible management education and aims to equip future business leaders with socially and environmentally responsible principles.

Trần Mai Anh Phương is a Vietnamese Ph.D. candidate at the School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada. Her doctoral research examines the social identities across borders of Vietnamese scholars who have received international development scholarships funded by donor countries in the Global North, as well as by some in the Global South. Her primary research interests include international education and development, student mobility and global citizenship, soft power, and postcolonial and decolonial studies, with a regional focus on the Sinosphere and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Ashok Vishandass is Professor of Applied Economics at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, with over 39 years of distinguished service across Government of India ministries, including Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, MOSPI, Health, Chemicals & Fertilisers, and Rural Development. As former Chairman of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) at the Secretary level, he has played a central role in shaping MSP, agricultural pricing, and related policy frameworks. He previously served as Chief Technical Adviser at the FAO of the United Nations, where he provided strategic guidance on food security, SDGs, and agricultural marketing, and authored eight fl agship reports. A Gold Medalist in Statistics, Dr. Vishandass holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, an M.A. in Economics from the University of Manchester, an MBA in Financial Management, and a PG Diploma in Population and Development. He is also a life member of several professional bodies including EGROW, IIPA, IARNIW, ISSA, and ISAS.

Dr. Vu Thi Thanh is the Head of the Department of Human Development – Human Resources Studies at the Institute of Human, Family and Gender Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences). Well trained in sociology, her research focuses on gender, social inclusion, social equity, human development, and vulnerable groups in the context of sustainable development. She has significant experience conducting interdisciplinary research and policy assessment, and have many publications on social development issues.

Miss Kwansiri Chonyuth serves as the Director of the Group of International Affairs at the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). In this role, she oversees the group’s key responsibilities: Promoting and supporting research and innovation in line with the NRCT’s core mission through mechanisms of cooperation with foreign countries; Strengthening relationships and serving as a coordinating center for the NRCT’s collaboration with foreign agencies; Cooperating with foreign countries to promote and develop bilateral and multilateral research cooperation across different regions; and Overseeing processes to permit foreign researchers to conduct research in Thailand.

Ms. Tatsanee Chumsri serves as a Plan and Policy Analyst, Practitioner Level, at the Division of Research and Innovation Promotion, National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). She supports the development and implementation of programs aimed at strengthening research personnel capacity, contributing to NRCT’s mission to advance Thailand’s research and innovation ecosystem.

Ms. Sirinporn Deawtrakool is the Deputy Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). She previously served as Expert on Research System and held leadership roles such as Director of the Divisions of Research and Innovation Resource Management and Aging Society Preparedness. She also led international research collaborations with European partners. Currently, she oversees key NRCT units including Research Standards, Animal Use Development, International Affairs, and Medical and Public Health Research. She holds a Master’s in Political Science from Ramkhamhaeng University.

Professor Lynda Johnston FRSNZ FNZGS is a geographer with Te Wānanga o Ngā Kete Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences at the University of Waikato. Her teaching, research and community interests are centred on social and cultural geographies, in particular people’s embodied (gendered, sexualised, raced, disabled) everyday experiences of place. She has been Editor for Gender, Place and Culture: A Feminist Geography Journal, among others. Professor Johnston has extensive governance experience, including as President of the New Zealand Geographical Society. She represents New Zealand on the International Geographical Union, and chaired its Gender and Geography Commission from 2016 to 2020. Professor Johnston was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2023. In 2025 she was elected the Domain Convenor of the Royal Society’s Social and Behavioural Sciences.

Miguel is a Program Officer at the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC), currently assigned to the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC). At PSSC, he previously served as Training Officer (2019-2024) and handled the secretariats of the Philippine Economic Society and of the Philippine Migration Research Network (2017-2024). An advocate for cultural heritage, Miguel serves as Corporate Secretary and Project Consultant for CultureKeepersPH Inc., a consultancy group dedicated to documenting and promoting Philippine cultural heritage. Miguel holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman and a diploma in Workplace Learning and Development from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. He is currently taking up master’s degree in Philippine Studies at UP Diliman, with research interest in Filipino Catholicism and church cultural heritage.

Dr. Anshuman Karol, Lead- Governance and Climate Action, is Ph. D in Social Sciences (Economics), offering multi-functional experience of 24 years in Programme Management, Decentralised Planning, Participatory Research & Evaluation, Community Development, Capacity Building & Training. He is certified mentor under the Mentor Training Programme (MTP) on Community Based Research organised by Knowledge for Change (K4C) Consortium, an initiative of UNESCO Chair in Community-Based Research & Social Responsibility in Higher Education lead by PRIA and University of Victoria, Canada and Global Coordinator of Knowledge for Change Consortium (K4C) under UNESCO Chair in Community-Based Research & Social Responsibility in Higher Education.

Khath Bunthorn is the Publication Manager at the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), where he oversees the quality control, production, and dissemination of all institutional publications and knowledge outputs. He also serves as a Research Associate at CDRI’s Centre for Governance and Inclusive Society (CGIS). Bunthorn holds a PhD and an MPhil in International Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He also earned his MA and BA (Hons) degrees in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. His research interests span good governance, inclusive society, and local politics in Cambodia. He is also deeply engaged in the study of modern Southeast Asian politics, India–Southeast Asia relations, foreign policy of small states, and ASEAN regional dynamics. Bunthorn has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Area Studies: A Journal of International Studies and Analyses, Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, Journal of South Asian Studies, and India Quarterly.

Ms. Pawanee Kumchalee serves as Director of the Division of Research and Innovation Promotion at the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). She oversees key units that drive national research capacity, including the Section of Research Personnel Development Promotion (PDP), the Section of Area-based Approach and Community Development (ABC), the Section of Grassroots Economy Development (GED), and the Section of Awards and Honors Activities (AHA). She plays a key role in advancing researcher development, strengthening community-driven innovation, and supporting national strategies that foster inclusive and impactful research for Thailand’s sustainable growth.

Presently associated with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) since 1991 and is currently working as Senior Consultant (Research). And In-charge of the International Collaboration & Global Outreach Division. Responsible for managing the bilateral relations and implementing activities of the MoUs with counterpart organizations in other countries. Working in the ICSSR for more than 30 years and looking after different programmes in these years, which include the research projects, fellowships, training programme and now presently the International Collaborations Programme, which gives me a wider experience to know and work on different thematic areas of social science research. Has MA and M Phil from University of Delhi. Research interests include History, International Politics, and International Relations.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh is Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). He graduated from Hanoi Law University, earned a Master’s degree in Law from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, and obtained his Ph.D. in Public and Private Economic Law from the University of Potsdam, Germany. His research focuses on public and private economic law, the rule of law, and economic and commercial law. He has authored numerous scholarly monographs and articles published in leading journals in Vietnam and abroad. Alongside his research, he is actively engaged in teaching and has extensive experience supervising master’s and doctoral students.

Dr. Young Ryeol Park is a professor emeritus of School of Business of Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, also a chairman of Asia Research Fund(ARF) and a chairman of Korean Association of Business Administration Education Accreditation (KABEA). He served as a president of KOSSREC (Korean Social Science Research Council) and AASSREC (Association of Asian Social Science Research Council) from 2022 to 2023. In addition, he was a presidnet of Korean Academic Society of Business Administration (KASBA) in 2021. His research area is global and Asian business management.

Dr. Kaushila Rishal (1978) is a distinguished Nepali writer, critic, and researcher. She currently serves as an Academic Council Member at the Nepal Academy and heads its Department of Social Sciences, where she leads academic discourse, research initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Under her leadership, the department publishes Samaj Anweshan, a peer-reviewed half-yearly journal prioritizing social science research, for which she serves as Chief Editor. Dr. Rishal earned her Ph.D. from Nepal Sanskrit University, completing her doctoral research on the Philosophical Study of the Epics by Ashwaghosh. Her work reflects a rare ability to bridge classical literature with contemporary socio-philosophical contexts.

Myanmar Lead & Senior Program Specialist, Asia Regional Office, International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Edgard is an expert on capacity building for public policy (think tanks), economic development (mainly, small enterprise development) and labour markets in Asia and Latin American economies. On capacity building for policy research, Edgard Rodriguez has worked with universities, think tanks and networks at IDRC promoting better training and mentoring of emerging thought leaders in social and economic policies in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Since 2017, he has led an initiative to promote gender-sensitive public policy in Myanmar working with think tanks, universities and civil society. Edgard Rodriguez holds a PhD in economics from the University of Toronto with specialization in economic development and labour economics.

Dr. Seun Sam is a Cambodian policy analyst, academic, and public affairs professional with over a decade of experience in diplomacy, political research, and international cooperation. He currently serves as the Director of the Department of Public Relations and Protocol at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, where he plays a key role in strengthening Cambodia’s academic and diplomatic engagement with international partners. Dr. Sam has regularly contributed expert commentary on Cambodia’s foreign policy, regional geopolitics, and political development in leading media outlets such as the Khmer Times.

Miss Chontida Tangnara is working as a Foreign Relations Officer, Senior Professional Level in the Group of International Affairs at the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). Her major responsibilities include managing the permission process for foreign researchers applying to conduct research in Thailand. She analyzes research applications and proposals submitted by foreign researchers across various fields, including natural sciences and social sciences, and coordinates with relevant Thai organizations to facilitate research activities in Thailand. She is also responsible for managing NRCT’s research funding under the e-Asia Joint Research Program (e-Asia JRP) and the Southeast Asia–Europe Joint Funding Scheme (JFS).

Dr. Tran Dinh Hung is Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). He holds a Master’s in International Business from Coventry University (UK), and a Ph.D. in International Economics from VASS. His research interests focus on international relations and international economics, particularly global economic governance and Vietnam’s integration into the world economy. Dr. Hung has contributed to various national and ministerial-level research projects, published in domestic and international journals, and co-authored academic monographs. At VASS, he supports international cooperation and fosters research exchange with global partners.

Wil is the Program Head of the Philippine Social Science Council, the umbrella organization of professional social science societies and research and training institutions in the Philippines. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Melton Foundation and an alumnus of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung’s Academy of Political Management.

Dr. Syakham Voladet is the Director General of Research Management Office at the Lao Academy of Economic and Social Sciences (LASES), Laos.

Currently I am working as a Principal Scientific Officer at the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka (NSF) and serving as the Head of the Science & Technology Policy Research Division and also working as the Head of the International Liaisons Division of the same institute. I have been working at the NSF for more than twenty-five years and have served in the RD also. During the period I coordinated and organized several programmes for national and international delegations. Further, liaised with other national and international scientists, researchers, scientific organizations and other relevant bodies and channels to develop new links and relationships to foster the activities of NSF.

Mrs. Somluk Wattanasoontorn serves as a General Administration Officer at the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). She works as the executive assistant to the Deputy Executive Director, providing coordination, administrative support, and day-to-day facilitation for executive operations.

Chung-li Wu, Ph.D. in Political Science, University of New Orleans (May 1997), is a Distinguished Research Fellow and Director of the Institute of Political Science at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan. My research interests focus on American politics (political institutions), urban and minority politics, comparative politics, and international relations. I am the author of articles published in such academic journals as Environmental Politics, Research & Politics, Political Studies Review, Social Movement Studies, Communication Research, Party Politics, Social Science Quarterly, Parliamentary Affairs, The China Quarterly, Political Science, International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, Journal of Asian and African Studies, and several others.

Neha Yadav is a Program Officer with the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). Her MPhil and PhD work examine agrarian relations, gender, and language. Her research interests span unconventional security studies in the Indo-Pacific region and the evolving dynamics of the Global South. She has also been actively involved in election studies and the analysis of democratic processes in India. At AASSREC, she contributes to fostering research collaboration, policy engagement, and capacity-building initiatives across member organizations in the Indo-Pacific.