I am currently involved in several larger projects and initiatives with external partners. You'll find further information about each below:
UBC Myanmar Initiative: I lead an IDRC-sponsored capacity building program. Earlier phases were run in collaboration with the Yangon University of Economics and the University of Yangon in Myanmar. The program began in 2017 and ran through 2021. Further details are available at: https://ubcmyanmarinitiative.org. A second phase of this initiative began in late 2022 and will conclude in 2025.
The Southeast Asia Research Group: SEAREG was established in 2013 to showcase the best new research by young social scientists working on Southeast Asian politics and to foster a network of scholars who work at the forefront of Southeast Asian studies. I have been a member of the executive council since 2022.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada: APF Canada is a non-profit think-tank that provides research, analysis, and information on Canada’s transpacific relations. I am a senior fellow with its Southeast Asia group.
Centre for Southeast Asia Research: The Centre for Southeast Asia Research (CSEAR) operates as the hub for research and outreach on Southeast Asia at UBC. My term as director ran from 2018-2021. Previously, I was the co-director of the centre (with Abidin Kusno) in the 2014/15 academic year and director for the 2015/16 academic year, before stepping down in 2016-2018.
Canada-ASEAN Business Outlook Survey: In collaboration with the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF), I led a team of UBC MPPGA students in conducting a survey of the Canadian private sector in Southeast Asia. The purpose was to provide insights into market conditions in the ASEAN region and better understand how the Canadian government can support deeper Canada-ASEAN economic ties. The report and additional information on the project can be found here. A follow-up survey and report was conducted in 2019, available here.
World Bank: I’ve been a consultant for the World Bank, focusing on institutional reform in Malaysia.
V-Dem: I am an ongoing contributor to the V-Dem project.
Freedom House: I was a consultant responsible for two countries in the ASEAN region.
Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement Study: Together with a team of MPPGA students at UBC, I contributed (in partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the Business Council of Canada, and the Canada-ASEAN Business Council) to a study that will provide policy recommendations for the federal government of Canada on how to deepen the bilateral relationship with the ASEAN region. A subsequent report focused on potential benefits for the ASEAN region.
I have also worked with Global Affairs Canada, including to support (with IDRC) publication of a book on Canada-Southeast Asia relations (available HERE).
