Sydney Southeast Asia Centre
Fostering impactful research and trusted knowledge
partnerships in Southeast Asia
June 2025 Newsletter
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre Newsletter
| |
|  | Politics in Action 2025 roundtable discussion. From left: A/Prof Aim Sinpeng, Dr Sol Iglesias, Dr Liam Gammon, Dr Gillian Koh, A/Prof Ross Tapsell, Andrew Goledzinowski and Dr Ladawan Khaikham
| |
| | |
Politics in Action 2025: Reform, regression and realignment
Now in its tenth year, our flagship Politics in Action forum brought together an exciting line-up of speakers who provided concise yet comprehensive analysis of key political, social, and economic developments in six Southeast Asian countries.
Dr Liam Gammon (Australian National University) noted President Prabowo’s Subianto’s continuation of Jokowi’s developmentalist legacy in Indonesia with a focus on economics. While illiberalisation continues, real opposition exits and civil society remains resilient.
A/Prof Ross Tapsell (Australian National University) noted political stability under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim amid uncertainty in Malaysia. Democratic institutions are more active but public concerns over nepotism remain.
Dr Sol Iglesias (University of Philippines, Diliman) noted democratic backsliding continues in the Philippines, with weakened institutions and dynastic politics constraining electoral competition. Progressive gains in the 2025 midterms suggest a potential shift in political momentum.
The 2025 general election delivered a strong mandate for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the ruling PAP in Singapore, with public sentiment supporting effective governance and a credible opposition, noted Dr Gillian Koh (University of Singapore).
Thailand is undergoing a generational shift with Paetongtarn Shinawatra becoming the youngest prime minister in 2024, noted Dr Ladawan Khaikham (Kasetsart University). Social progress, such as the legalisation of same-sex marriage, contrasts with concerns on freedom of expression.
Andrew Goledzinowski, former Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, noted the country’s aims for high-tech growth and streamlined governance against the backdrop of its foreign policy. Vietnam’s strategic neutrality and administrative reforms position it as a rising regional player.
The forum finished with a roundtable discussion chaired by A/Prof Aim Sinpeng, including US–China dynamics in Southeast Asia, the impact of US tariffs on the region, democratic regression and resilience, and Australia’s role in a retreating US in promoting democracy and regional stability.
| |
Contact SSEAC at sseac@sydney.edu.au for assistance with grant applications relating to Southeast Asia.
| |
More local and international opportunities
- DFAT Professional Placements program: four-week business placement experience in Jakarta from 22 September to 17 October 2025 | apply by 7 July 2025
- ANU Indonesia Institute postgraduate student workshop: call for papers by PhD and masters by research students | apply by 14 July 2025
- Young Scholar Prize 2025: Indonesia and the Malay World call for original articles on the languages, literatures, art, archaeology, history, religion, anthropology, performing arts, cinema or tourism in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand and southern Philippines | submit by 31 July 2025
- Engagement Australia Excellence Awards: including Award for Excellence in International Engagement recognising outstanding international collaborations | apply by 11 August 2025
| |
 | From left: Mr Luong Tien Phong, Dr Alvin Teo, Prof Greg Fox, Dr Emily MacLean, Ms Leanne Howie, Ms Khanh Boi Luu and Ms Thu Hien Le at the launch of the SAPPHIRE and SHIFT-TB projects in Cambodia
|
|
Tackling tuberculosis in Cambodia
Congratulations to Dr Alvin Teo and Dr Emily MacLean who were instrumental in securing a €2.9 million (A$5 million) L’Initiative/Expertise France grant for SHIFT-TB. Led by Cambodian NGO KHANA with partners in Singapore and Australia, SHIFT-TB focuses on population-wide community-based screening and integrated care. It builds on the success of the SAPPHIRE project in Vietnam led by Professor Greg Fox. The SHIFT-TB and SAPPHIRE projects in Cambodia were launched in Phnom Penh at a ceremony attended by Cambodian, Australian and French government representatives. The SHIFT-TB project comes at a critical time when global funding for TB programs have seen significant cuts. Read more
| |
SSEAC welcomes Deputy Director of Partnerships and new COOSSEAC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr Sandra Alday as Deputy Director, Partnerships. Sandra is Program Director of the Master of Management at the University of Sydney Business School. Extending her experience in strategy and organisation development consulting, her scholarly research explores the nature of risk, how it is perceived and it is managed. She also investigates the impact of risk management behaviour on equity and sustainability in Southeast Asia. Sandra is Associate Editor of the Journal of Management Education. We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Olivia Simmons as Chief Operating Officer, starting late July. Olivia is a keen strategist with two decades of experience in program management, partnerships, operations and funding. She has worked with UN agencies, NGOs, universities and the private sector to develop high-impact strategies for organisations including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, The Fred Hollows Foundation, the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies and the Group on Earth Observations.
| |
Dr Fengwang Li honoured by Australian Academy of Science
Congratulations to Dr Fengwang Li (School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) who was awarded the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) Le Fèvre Medal in recognition of his innovative contributions to sustainable chemistry. Dr Li was among 22 scientists from across Australia recognised in the AAS 2025 honorific awards. His research focuses on using renewable energy to convert carbon dioxide into useful products, supporting a circular economy by recycling carbon and contributing to a net-zero emissions future.
| |
Frontier Planet Prize International Champion, A/Prof Arunima MalikCongratulations to A/Prof Arunima Malik who was awarded the prestigious Frontiers Planet Prize, a global initiative of the Frontiers Research Foundation in Switzerland. Recognised as one of three 2025 International Champions, A/Prof Malik received A$1.54 million to advance research on the global sustainability impacts of international trade. Her award-winning study ‘Polarising and equalising trends in international trade and Sustainable Development Goals’, published in Nature Sustainability, uses big-data modelling to reveal how consumption in one country can drive environmental degradation and social inequality in others, influencing a country’s ability to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
| |
SSEAC is always thrilled to see our members’ research published, particularly work progressed at our writing retreats or supported through SSEAC.
- Yvonne Low and Phoebe Scott eds. (2024), Special Issue: Rethinking primitivisms in the modern art of Southeast Asia, World Art, Vol 14, Issue 2.
- Wei Jin Wong et al. (2024), Hypertension in adults with diabetes in Southeast Asia: A systematic review, The Journal of Clinical Hypertension.
- Raaj Kishore Biswas, Nicholas Koemel and Luigi Fontana (2025), Advancing equitable healthy longevity in South and Southeast Asia, European Heart Journal.
- Lian Sinclair (2025), Cooperate or compete? Could Indonesia and Australia make EV batteries together?, Inside Indonesia special edition on mining.
- Elaine Baker, Kristina Thygesen and Billy Haworth (2025), Mining and Mine Tailings in Asia: Moving towards adoption of the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management, GRID-Arendal.
- Jeffrey Neilson (2025), Fortress Farming: Agrarian transitions, livelihoods, and coffee value chains in Indonesia, Cornell University Press.
- Chieh-Ming Lai (2025), Thailand’s pursuit of global arboriculture: Worlding aspirations and introspective learning for urban tree care, Asia Pacific Viewpoint. Chieh-Ming was supported by a SSEAC Writing Fellowship.
- Justin Hastings and David Ubilava (2025), Agricultural roots of social conflict in Southeast Asia, Journal of Peace Research. This study was supported in part by a SSEAC Collaborative Grant.
- Nina Matsumoto et al. (2025), Disease outbreak data to inform decision-making: The role of disease spread models in the Lao P.D.R. African Swine Fever epidemic, 2019, Tropical Animal Health and Production. Nina was supported by a SSEAC residency scheme.
| |
|
Recent events
—news on workshops, webinars, partnerships and more
| |
|  | Symposium participants with Prof Sonja van Wichelen (far right) at the Blue Mountains in Sydney
| |  | The Symposium included sessions on the critical role of science journalism in planetary health advocacy
| |
| | |
Advancing Science Communication for Planetary Health – Sydney Symposium
In April 2025, the Science Communication for Planetary Health (SciCoPH) program brought together Indonesian and Australian science journalists, communication experts, and bioscientists in Australia to explore collaborative approaches to science communication. The program, led by Prof Sonja van Wichelen, is funded by DFAT (with additional support from SSEAC and FASS) and establishes a partnership between the University of Sydney, Universitas Airlangga in Surabaya, and the Society of Indonesian Science Journalists (SISJ). Participants visited the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba and gained insights into how the initiative integrates scientific knowledge with community action, exemplifying how planetary health principles can guide local governance and environmental stewardship. The following day, the University of Sydney hosted the SciCoPH symposium featuring sessions on The Politics of Conservation (by Dr Dyani Lewis and Dyna Rochmyaningsih), Conceptualising Planetary Health (by Prof Warwick Anderson), Interviewing Scientists (by Mike DiGirolamo), Reporting on Science in the Asia-Pacific (by Carl Smith), and Science Advocacy and Open Science (by Prof Arli Parikesit and Prof Alice Motion).
| |
Singapore’s general election 2025: Back to the status quo?
Moderated by political analyst, author and commentator Hoe-Yeong Loke, panellists A/Prof Michael Barr, A/Prof Ja-Ian Chong, Prof Terrence Lee and lecturer Rebecca Grace Tan unpack the implications of the Singapore general election held in May. Co-hosted by SSEAC and the Malaysia and Singapore Society of Australia.
| |
Developing rights-based refugee governance in Southeast Asia: Situation and challenges
Facilitated by A/Prof Susan Banki and Faudzan Farhana, this webinar explores the strength and resilience of the refugee community in Southeast Asia. The panel includes experts and practitioners in the field: R.Aj. Rizka F Prabaningtyas, Prof Tri Nuke Pudjiastuti, A/Prof Alex McCormick, Tamara Megaw and Gading Gumilang Putra. This webinar is presented by the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and Department of Sociology and Criminology and SSEAC at the University of Sydney.
| |
World Food Safety Day 2025
To celebrate World Food Safety Day held on 7 June, Prof Dan Tan co-hosted a webinar and roundtable discussion on food safety in fresh fruit and vegetables in LMICs. Research teams from around the world, including the Philippines, shared insights and learnings on food safety research in horticulture and the adoption of good agricultural practices to create safer, more resilient food systems.
| |
11th Oceanic Conference on International Studies
The Oceanic Conference on International Studies (OCIS) brings together international studies scholars including researchers and research students from across the Oceanic region (Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific) to showcase world-class research being conducted in the region and to foster scholarly networks and relationships with policy practitioners and civil society actors. This year SSEAC and the China Studies Centre are pleased to sponsor a roundtable on China–Southeast Asia relations.When: 9–11 July 2025
Where: University of New South Wales, Kensington Campus
| |
8th Conference on Human Rights
The Conference on Human Rights provides a platform for academics, human rights activists and practitioners to explore current human rights issues in Southeast Asia and beyond. This year’s theme is “Human rights and the rule of law amid energy transition, technology disruption and democratic regression”. Conference convenors: Dr Iman Prihandono, Dean, Faculty of Law, Universitas Airlangga; Dr Al Khanif, Centre for Human Rights, Multiculturalism, and Migration, University of Jember; and Prof Simon Butt, Sydney University Law School. All plenary and parallel/panel sessions will be held in person. When: 12–13 August 2025
Where: Faculty of Law, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| |
17th AIWEST–DR Conference
The theme of the 17th Aceh International Workshop on Sustainable Disaster Recovery (AIWEST–DR) is “Global Partnerships Toward Future Disaster Resilience”. The event is organised by University College London in collaboration with the Tsunami and Disaster Mitigation Research Center, Universitas Syiah Kuala, IRIDeS of Tohoku University, University of Sydney, Universitas Gadjah Mada and Universitas Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. This hybrid event aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and promote scholarly research and practical strategies for disaster management. When: 20–22 August 2025
Where: University College London, Hybrid
| |
SSEAC Stories is the flagship Podcast of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre. It features interviews with leading experts on Southeast Asia from across the University and the region. SSEAC Stories is available on the NBN website and all the main podcasting apps: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!
| |
 | Insects as a natural and cultural resource across Southeast Asia
Insects provide invaluable services to maintain healthy environments and populations of other species that depend on them. Insects also inspire human cultures and are useful in myriad ways within the arts, fashion, science, tourism and folklore. This episode’s guest is Matt Huan, Collections Officer at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney. Matt mainly works on the museum’s entomology collection which was founded by Alexander Macleay in the mid-late 18th century, making them some of the oldest insect specimens in the world. His work experience and travel across Australia, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations have cultivated a deep appreciation for the natural world.
| |  | Marine environment assessment in Palawan, Philippines
Dr Billy Haworth is a geographer interested in human-environment interactions, with expertise positioned at the intersection of human geography, critical GIS (geographic information systems), and international disaster studies. Billy’s work tries to better understand experiences of, and adaptation to, environmental change and disruption, and often includes highlighting inequalities, widening research participation, and knowledge exchange beyond academia, involving community, government and non-government stakeholders. They are the lead author on a new report on the State of the Marine Environment in Palawan, an archipelagic province of the Philippines.
| |
| | |
|
In the media
- Prof Deborah Bateson was quoted in a University of Sydney News article on the launch of a new HPV screen-and-treat service in Timor-Leste aimed at preventing cervical cancer and improving women's health through early detection and treatment.
- Prof Budiman Minasny wrote for Inside Indonesia on how a little-known clause in America’s 1930 Tariff Act inadvertently helped end forced labour in the Dutch East Indies.
- Sheryn See, Aaron Opdyke and Susan Banki argued in Humanitarian Practice Network that in the wake of Myanmar’s devastating March 2025 earthquake, humanitarian efforts must use conflict-sensitive, integrated data to rebuild Myanmar.
- PhD candidate Mahesti Hasanah wrote in Inside Indonesia how nickel mining in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi, is turning local communities into environmental and social sacrifice zones on the back of global demand for electric vehicle batteries.
- A/Prof Meru Sheel wrote for The Conversation on the global surge in measles cases and whether children should be vaccinated earlier than usual, especially in high-risk areas.
| |
Join the conversation!
Now on LinkedIn! SSEAC’s socials connects with thousands of individuals and organisations engaging in Southeast Asia. Join the conversation to share your work, hear about our latest events, and be the first to know about grants, research and opportunities in Southeast Asia.
If you have a recently published article, book review, or research that you’d like to share with a Southeast Asia-focused community, let us know! Email sseac@sydney.edu.au with the details, or tag us in your tweet @seacsydney.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
