Myanmar Research Network
Welcome! Wominjeka! Mingalabar!
The Myanmar Research Network (MRN) was created in 2019 by a small group of researchers from the University of Melbourne, who saw a need to connect researchers and students working on and/or interested in Myanmar. MRN now includes over 60 members, including academics, practitioners and students within and beyond UoM.
Aims
Consolidate, catalyse and resource new and existing collaborative research projects.
Foster a research community of practice with Myanmar scholars and students.
Strengthen research impact with key stakeholders in Myanmar and Australia, including internal stakeholders across the University.
PK Forum
The PK Forum began in 2012 as a place to discuss and debate issues of development, civil society and aid in Myanmar. The Forum is now supported and edited by the Myanmar Research Network at the University of Melbourne.
PK stands for Paung Ku which in Burmese means bridging or connection – and this Forum aims to connect academics, aid workers, local organisations, government, and students around key questions of Myanmar’s future.
This means we are interested in your ideas. Please send us your ideas for articles or blogs or for uploading new stuff to our resource section. Articles can be in English, Burmese or ethnic languages, but need to be less than 500 words. These can be emailed to Tamas Wells at the University of Melbourne (Forum Editor) at pkdiscussionforum@gmail.com.
While supported and edited by the Myanmar Research Network at the University of Melbourne, and originating from the ‘Paung Ku’ initiative, the Forum does not represent the views of the Myanmar Research Network or Myanmar NGO Paung Ku. The views expressed in this Forum are those of the individuals involved.
Membership
Membership is free and enables members to connect, stay updated on research and events on Myanmar, share information, and develop partnerships within and beyond the University of Melbourne. As a member of MRN, you will get the following privileges:
- Be included in the MRN mailing list and receive information on Myanmar-related research, events, and so on,
- Be able to connect and network with other members,
- Be featured on MRN website, if you desire,
- Be able to share research, publications, discussions and ideas through the MRN website,
- Have access to MRN database of Research Assistants with expertise relevant to research in Myanmar, upon request.
If you want to join MRN and/or be featured on our website, please register here!Registration
The Myanmar Research Network regularly hosts seminars and events focusing on socio-political, historical, economic, development and other issues in Myanmar.
News
The Myanmar Research Network members engage in cutting edge research on socio-political, historical, economic, development and other issues in Myanmar or affecting Myanmar communities.
Current events
Past events
Book chapters
He, B., Breen, M. G. & Allison-Reumann, L. (2023). Comparative Federalism in Asia Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003346784
Breen, M. G. (2022). "Federalism and Conflict Resolution in Nepal and Myanmar." In Emerging Federal Structures in the Post-Cold War Era, 1 ed., edited by Keil, Soeren, and Kropp, Sabine, 141-163. Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-93669-3_7
Wells, T. (2022). Challenges for Myanmar’s Civil Society: Depoliticization and Yangon’s Urban Development under the NLD Government. Authoritarianism and Civil Society in Asia (pp. 129-143). doi:10.4324/9781003256809-10
Breen, M. (2021). Nepal: Participatory and Deliberative Constitution-making in a Divided Society. In Breen, M., He, B. & Fishkin, J. (Eds.) Deliberative Democracy in Asia (1 ed., pp. 70-86) Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003102441-5
Breen, M. & He, B. (2021). Deliberative Democracy in Asia: Past, Present and Future. In He, B., Fishkin, J. & Breen, M. (Eds.) Deliberative Democracy in Asia (1 ed., pp. 1-19) Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003102441-1
He, B. & Breen, M. G. (2021). Deliberative Democracy in Asia (1st ed.). Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003102441-1
He, B. & Breen, M. (2021). Developing multiculturalism in Myanmar: Citizen perspectives from deliberative surveys. In Halse, C. & Kennedy, K. J. (Eds.) Multiculturalism in Turbulent Times (1 ed., pp. 141-158) Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781003090090-9
Wells, T. (2021). Narrating Democracy in Myanmar The Struggle Between Activists, Democratic Leaders and Aid Workers (1 ed.). Amsterdam University Press. doi:10.1515/9789048553792
Articles
Bhusal, T. & Breen, M. G. (2023). Federalism and local governance: Exploring multilingualism in local decision-making in Nepal. REGIONAL AND FEDERAL STUDIES, 33(2), pp. 187-207. doi:10.1080/13597566.2021.1940970
Payne, I. & Breen, M. (2023). Hourglass federalism in Nepal: the role of local government in post-conflict constitutions. Indian Law Review, 7(2), pp. 177-200. doi:10.1080/24730580.2022.2162281
Wells, T. (2022). 'Bright, shiny, inconsequential'? The rise and fall of innovation labs in the aid sector. THIRD WORLD QUARTERLY, 44(2), pp. 266-283. doi:10.1080/01436597.2022.2144205
Breen, M. & Decobert, A. (2021). Is the military coup in Myanmar the death knell of democracy and federalism? Melbourne Asia Review, 5 doi:10.37839/mar2652-550x5.15
Day, B. & Wells, T. (2021). What parliamentarians think about Australia's post-COVID-19 aid program: The emerging 'cautious consensus' in Australian aid. ASIA & THE PACIFIC POLICY STUDIES, 8(3), pp. 384-400. doi:10.1002/app5.338
Décobert, A. & Wells, T. (2020). Interpretive Complexity and Crisis: the History of International Aid to Myanmar. The European Journal of Development Research, 32(1), pp. 294-315. doi:10.1057/s41287-019-00238-y
Doffegnies, A. & Wells, T. (2021). The Vernacularization of Human Rights Discourse in Myanmar: Rejection, Hybridization and Strategic Avoidance. JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY ASIA, 52(2), pp. 247-266. doi:10.1080/00472336.2020.1865432
Wells, T. & Lamb, V. (2021). The imaginary of a modern city: Post-politics and Myanmar's urban development. Urban Studies: an international journal for research in urban studies, pp. 18-. doi:10.1177/00420980211044006
Diprose, R., Savirani, A. & Wells, T. (2020). Gender-inclusive Development and Decentralised Governance: Promoting Women’s Voice and Influence through Collective Action in Rural Indonesia. pp. 1-17. doi:10.46580/124335
Wells, T. (2020). Narratives of Donor Accountability in Support to Peace Processes: The Case of the Joint Peace Fund in Myanmar. Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, 15(1), pp. 18-30. doi:10.1177/1542316619868436
Well, T. & Lamb, V. (2020). Dilemmas for advocacy organisations in Myanmar’s changing political landscape. Melbourne Asia Review, 1 pp. 1-9. doi:10.37839/mar2652-550x1.2
Steering committee
The Steering Committee members provide overall strategic guidance to the Myanmar Research Network, as well as managing day-to-day activities of the network such as collaborative research endeavours, engagement, events, and so on.
 | Michael’s research focuses on federalism in Asia, and the management of ethnic diversity. He is the author of ‘The Road to Federalism in Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka: Finding the Middle Ground’ (2018, Routledge) and has contributed to Nepal’s constitution-making process that established it as a federal democratic republic. Michael’s research also explores the role of deliberative democracy and the use of deliberative polling in constitution-making and conflict management. Prior to academia, Michael was a policy maker, negotiator and project manager in various government departments in Australia and international organisations including the United Nations Development Programme. His professional background is in Indigenous rights and native title, political inclusion and environmental conservation. Chair School of Social and Political Sciences | McKenzie Research Fellow Federalism and Ethnic Politics in Asia – Deliberative Democracy – Comparative Politics – Constitutional Design |
 | Anne Décobert is a development studies scholar and anthropologist whose research focuses broadly on the intersections between conflict, development, aid systems, processes of state formation, and the rights of and struggles for self-determination of Indigenous and marginalised peoples. Strongly committed to ethically engaged research, Anne is particularly interested in approaches to addressing inequities and injustices faced by Indigenous and marginalised communities whose lives are shaped by structural violence and conflict. Myanmar is her main country specialisation, but Anne has also worked elsewhere in Asia and with Indigenous communities in Australia. In addition to her academic research, Anne previously worked as a development practitioner and consultant with local and international aid agencies in Myanmar, Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Anne’s publications include The Politics of Aid to Burma: A Humanitarian Struggle on the Thai-Burmese Border (Routledge, 2016). Research Coordinator School of Social and Political Sciences | Anthropology and Development Studies | Lecturer Development – International Humanitarian Law |
 | Tamas Wells is a Research Fellow in the School of Social and Political Sciences. His research focuses on meanings of democracy, governance and accountability in Southeast Asia and the role of international aid agencies and “civil society. His doctoral dissertation examined the Burmese opposition movement in the lead up to the historic 2015 elections in Myanmar and diverging narratives of democracy within the movement, and amongst its international supporters. Before beginning his doctoral studies in 2012, he worked as an aid and development adviser and consultant with various NGOs including Save the Children and Oxfam, including seven years living and working in Myanmar. Tamas has been active in developing stronger connections between academics and practitioners and policymakers in the field of aid and development and is the editor of the PK Forum, an online discussion forum on aid and development in Myanmar. Editor of PK Forum School of Social and Political Sciences | Research Fellow Democracy in Myanmar – Civil Society – Politics of International Aid |
Community
The Myanmar Research Network community brings together academics, practitioners and students who are working on and/or interested in Myanmar. Meet some of our members!
 | Dr. Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo is a Ph.D. scholar at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia. He has a background in epidemiology and dentistry. He completed his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at Mahidol University, Thailand in 2013; and his MSc in Epidemiology (with Distinction) at the University of Melbourne, Australia in 2017. His research work has been published in international peer-reviewed journals and his unique research findings were also presented at international conferences. Dr. Aung is also an invited reviewer for peer-reviewed journals. He is a frequently invited speaker for monitoring and evaluation, systematic review and research methodology for knowledge sharing and internal training in Myanmar. He has previously worked as a research coordinator/manager/consultant of the public health research sector in Myanmar and Thailand. Monash University | Doctoral Scholar Neuro-Epidemiology – Oral Epidemiology – Geriatric Epidemiology – Mental Health – Cognitive Impairment & Dementia – Health-related Quality of Life |
 | Bethia Burgress Bethia Burgress is interested in trans-sectoral collaborations for social change that challenge Eurocentric and colonial structures. Her work aims to build long-term engagements and solidarities across geographic borders, combining with indigenous, subaltern, and decolonial theories to challenge dominant and unilinear narratives. Her PhD explores contested conceptions of sovereignty, justice and belonging in Eastern Myanmar. She also undertakes value-aligned consulting and freelance projects, including those that enable public engagement and prioritise the expertise of those with lived experience. She was born on Gunai Country, raised on the lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, and currently live and work on Kulin Nations lands. These are the sovereign lands of First Nations people, the occupation of which continues at the expense of Indigenous futures. Her ongoing work aims to meaningfully contribute to dismantling colonial structures and supporting Indigenous and community-led systems of governance and justice in their varied manifestations. University of Melbourne | PhD Candidate Research for Social Change – Coloniality of Justice – Identity and Subalternity – Community-led development in Southeast Asia |
| Mr. Christopher Lamb Mr. Christopher Lamb worked with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia for 32 years. He had two postings in Burma/Myanmar. He was Australia’s Ambassador from 1986 until 1989. He also worked with the Red Cross in Geneva from 2000-2010 on humanitarian diplomacy. Australia Myanmar Institute | President Myanmar Politics – Development – Social & Cultural Issues – Human rights – Sustainable Development Goals |
 | Htet Yamone Aung Born and raised in Mandalay, Myanmar, Htet Yamone Aung @ Mary studied at Paung Daw Oo Monastic Education High school where she also worked as a volunteer staff/teacher. With a passion for youth capacity building, Mary participated in youth leadership programs and travelled around the world which enabled her to widen her horizons with unique experiences. Because of her achievements and her dedication to further her study abroad, she was awarded “Dean’s Award” from the University of Melbourne. She is now studying for her bachelor’s degree, majoring in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, minoring in Environmental Studies, and taking a concurrent diploma in Chinese Language Studies. Mary has been working as a freelance Burmese tutor, interpreter, and translator since early 2018. She is graduating in July 2021. She wishes to contribute to back to her community afterwards. University of Melbourne | Undergraduate Burmese Interpreter &Translator Development Studies – Environmental Studies – Burmese Language – Education – Youth Capacity Building |
 | Professor Emeritus Joseph (Joe) Lo Bianco was appointed chair of language and literacy education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne in February 2004 and retired on 30 June 2020, when he was appointed Professor Emeritus. He is a specialist in minority language rights, literacy and social opportunity, language policy and planning with a specific interest in conflict mitigation in multi-ethnic societies and a specific focus on educational equity for immigrant and Indigenous populations, multilingual and anti-racist education and language revitalisation. His academic analysis and theorisation of language problems in education and society is complemented by extensive real-world policy writing, advising and engagement in 25 international locations. In recent years this has included a 8 year project in Southeast Asia for UNICEF under the title of Language, Education and Social Cohesion, focusing on conflict resolution in multiethnic settings in Malaysia, Myanmar and South Thailand and as consultant to a four year project on Multilingual Cities in 12 European municipalities responding to recent inflows of immigrants. In 1987, he authored Australia’s first national language policy, between 1990 and 2002 was Director of Language Australia/The National Languages and Literacy Institute of Australia. MGSE University of Melbourne | Language and Literacy Education Peace & Conflict Studies – Multilingualism & Education – Education & Literacy – Indigeneity & Ethnic Relations – Cultural Diversity – Language Rights |
 | Nyein Aye Soe Nyein Aye Soe graduated with Bachelor of Science, majoring in Human Nutrition (1st Batch) in 2020 from the University of Melbourne and will began master of Dietetics at Monash University in 2021. She is enthusiastic in conducting research projects. Her aim is to become a researcher in nutrition. She was born and raised in Mandalay, Myanmar. Throughout her studies, she took part in different organisation and student clubs. The most recent one was ASEAN Youth Advocates where she inspired the youth in Myanmar. University of Melbourne | Bachelor of Science Class of 2020 Dietetics Studies – Human Nutrition – Exercise Nutrition – Public Health – Nutrition – Quality of Life |
 | Pan Ei Ei Kyaw Pan Ei Ei Kyaw graduated Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 2006 and Master of Agricultural Science in 2012 from Yezin Agricultural University (YAU), Myanmar. While in YAU, she earned awards for her academic performance. Those awards are Minister’s outstanding students, Mitsubishi scholarship and Myanma Awba scholarship. Since 2008, she has been working as a teaching staff in YAU, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. As a teaching staff for more than ten years, she enjoys teaching, conducting research, training and extension. Also, she uses her skills and knowledge to contribute to agricultural human resource and development of the society. She believes that she can further improve her quality and skills. Thus, she becomes a PhD student in the Soils and the Environment research group at the University of Melbourne by receiving John Allwright Fellowship from Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). For leadership skills, she attends the 2nd cohort John Allwright Fellowship executive leadership (JAFel) program at the University of New England, Armidale. University of Melbourne | PhD Candidate Soil Science – Plant Nutrition – Organic Amendments |
 | Soe Soe Htway Soe Soe Htway is a PhD student under School of Geography in the University of Melbourne since June 2018. Her PhD research examines the impacts of foreign investment in farmland on rural livelihoods of Myanmar, the broader implications for rural development. She gained her master’s degree majoring in Natural Resources Management from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) of Thailand in 2013 and her master’s thesis was “Assessment of Farmers’ Coping Strategies for Water Scarcity Under Rainfed Agriculture in the Dry Zone of Myanmar”. She received a bachelor’s degree from Yezin Agricultural University (YAU) of Myanmar in 2005. She worked as a researcher for a project, “Livelihoods and Extension Services among Smallholder Farmers of Myanmar” funded by ACIAR in AIT (2014 – 2017). She also worked as a tutor in YAU (2008 – 2011). University of Melbourne | PhD Candidate Farmland – Rural Livelihoods – Investment – Climate Change Adaptation – Rural Development |
