Sydney Southeast Asia Centre
Fostering impactful research and trusted knowledge partnerships in Southeast Asia
December 2025 Newsletter
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Welcome to the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre Newsletter
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As 2025 draws to a close, we pause to reflect on a busy year at the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre. Together, we’ve advanced research, fostered partnerships and deepened understanding of the region including through our flagship events, research collaborations and visiting delegations, achievements made possible by the work of the SSEAC team, our academic members and dedicated partners. As we celebrate progress, our thoughts are with those affected by devastating floods in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. These events remind us of the urgency and relevance of our research aimed at building resilient, connected societies.
Thank you to our leadership team, members and partners for your invaluable support this year. We look forward to continuing working with you in 2026. With best wishes for the festive season and for a fantastic year ahead!
Professor Greg Fox
Director, Sydney Southeast Asia Centre
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Timor-Leste officially admitted to ASEAN
SSEAC congratulates Timor-Leste on its historic accession as ASEAN’s 11th member in October 2025, marking the country’s unwavering commitment to unity and shared prosperity in Southeast Asia. Timor-Leste’s rich cultural heritage and focus on inclusive development position it as a vital contributor to the region’s future, including in areas such as climate resilience and health equity. The University of Sydney has a proud history of engagement in Timor-Leste, supporting research partnerships, capacity building and people-to-people exchanges. The Elimination Partnership of the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer (EPICC) program led by the University is just one example. Prof Karen Canfell, Prof Deborah Bateson, PhD candidate Julia Maria Da Costa and their partners are making a real difference in Timor-Leste, as featured in the Sydney Morning Herald. Their work highlights the power of innovation and collaboration to make positive change. SSEAC remains committed to strengthening research and fostering collaboration in Timor-Leste, including through our dynamic Timor-Leste country group led by Dr Lynda-Ann Blanchard.
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|  | Dr Sandra Alday (left) with keynote speakers Bill Costello, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Eleanor Keppelman, Investing in Women
| |  | Panel session on collaborative research with (from left) Prof Tiho Ancev, Prof Daniel Tan, A/Prof Susan Banki, A/Prof Leigh-Anne Hepburn and Prof Deanna D’Allesandro
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 | Dr Nate Zettna led the discussion group on digital transformation and AI
| |  | Our wonderful student volunteers, led by (front right) PhD candidate Umar
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From keynotes to kudos: 2025 Research Innovation Symposium
The Sydney Southeast Asia Research Innovation Symposium brought together thought leaders, policymakers and researchers to exchange ideas on how collaboration can address some of the region’s major challenges.
Two keynotes set the tone for the day: senior DFAT diplomat Bill Costello outlined Australia’s strategic priorities in Southeast Asia and emphasised the role of university–industry–government partnerships to drive innovation. Eleanor Keppelman, Investing in Women, highlighted women’s economic equality is six generations away. She also showed that investing in women could increase GDP in the Asia-Pacific, close the gender finance gap in emerging markets and shift social norms and gender stereotypes. A dynamic panel presented strategies for harnessing diverse disciplinary expertise alongside strong regional engagement in Southeast Asia. Researchers also engaged in facilitated discussions to identify innovative approaches to tackling the region’s grand challenges.
The Symposium was an opportunity to introduce two new awards. Congratulations to A/Prof Aim Sinpeng, who won the inaugural SSEAC Impact Award for her pioneering research on digital politics and her deep engagement with Southeast Asia, including serving as SSEAC’s Thailand country coordinator for a decade. And to Elis Benediktsson, recipient of the first SSEAC Leadership Award for his work establishing the Sydney Vietnam Institute. Thank you to everyone who joined us to make the Research Innovation Symposium a success, including our fantastic student volunteers led by PhD candidate Umar!
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Awards and other opportunities
Contact SSEAC at sseac@sydney.edu.au for assistance with grant applications relating to Southeast Asia.
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Major grant powers regional hydrogen innovation
The project, “Addressing the resilience of Indo-Pacific alkaline electrolysers”, brings together partners from Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and French Polynesia to develop affordable, locally manufactured alkaline electrolysers using innovative nickel and metal hydride technologies. This ambitious initiative marks a major step in strengthening regional hydrogen supply chains and supporting the clean energy transition.
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New ARC College of Experts inducted
Prof Jen Smith-Merry (Sydney School of Health Sciences) is one of six University of Sydney researchers out of a cohort of 90 new members appointed to the Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts for 2026. College members play a crucial role in reviewing grant proposals, overseeing assessments and recommending projects for funding, ensuring ARC-funded research benefits the Australian community. Congratulations, Jen!
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Researchers elected as AAHMS FellowsCongratulations to Prof Greg Fox and Prof Ben Marais who have been elected Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) for 2025! The AAHMS recognises leaders whose work has transformed and deepened understanding in their research fields. In October they were recognised for life-long dedication and pursuit of excellence in health and medical research, innovation and leadership in a ceremony held in Canberra.
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SSEAC celebrates highly cited researchers
Congratulations to our SSEAC members who were among 26 University of Sydney academics recognised in the 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers List. The list recognises the most influential researchers whose papers rank in the top 1% of citations in their field. Their research drives innovation across health, science, geoscience and sustainability, delivering real-world impact that transforms lives across Australia, Southeast Asia and beyond.
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Top researchers in Australia named
The Australian’s 2026 Research Magazine has named a number of University of Sydney researchers as leaders in their fields nationally. Congratulations to the five SSEAC members who were recognised for their research excellence nationally in the following fields:
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Humanities excellence recognised
Congratulations to Professor Mark Ledbury and A/Professor Mark Allon (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences), who have been elected Fellows of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. Professor Ledbury is Director of the Power Institute, where he leads programs that explore how art functions within global cultures and why it matters. A/Professor Allon is a leading scholar of early Buddhist literature and ancient Indic languages. His research includes advancing work on Gandhari manuscripts and conserving and studying the Kuthodaw Pagoda’s Pali Canon in Myanmar. Their election recognises outstanding scholarship and public engagement that deepen cultural understanding and connect past traditions to contemporary society.
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Recent events
—news on workshops, webinars, partnerships and more
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Rethinking global health: Turning values into action
Prof Anne Marie Hennessy, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Health, opened the Showcase, drawing on historical and contemporary examples of global health challenges to highlight the power of collaboration. She noted that hope for progress in global health lies in the drive and innovation of early-career researchers.
The keynote address by A/Prof Sarah Bernays called for humility and accountability to communities as a collective practice when engaging in global health research. She invited the audience to rethink guiding questions and success metrics to centre them on the global health communities they serve. Three expert panels, chaired by Prof Joel Negin, A/Prof Seye Abimbola and Prof Deb Bateson, explored authentic partnerships, reciprocity and equity in global health research. Key insights included the value of listening and adapting for lasting collaboration, giving back by sharing results and prioritising community needs, and promoting equity through local ownership of funding and decision-making. Prof Ben Marais chaired the final session where breakout groups reflected on how to cultivate research impact. Ideas generated through these groups included the importance of trust in data required to shift policy, the value of strategic partnerships in order to have sustained impact, the groundwork required for EMCRs to navigate complex pathways for global health funding, and the importance for researchers advocate for ethical and collaborative research.
Thank you to all of our speakers and participants for an energising showcase. Together we can continue to champion real change for communities everywhere, driving progress towards a global health landscape that’s truly inclusive, equitable and transformative.
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Workshop progresses policy on Vietnam’s agricultural development
On 28 November, Prof Tiho Ancev (School of Economics and SSEAC Deputy Director, Research Development) and Dr Truong Thi Thu Trang of the Institute of Strategy and Policy for Agriculture and Environment (ISPAE) brought together 30 policymakers and academics in Hanoi for a workshop on Vietnam’s agricultural development policies since the Doi Moi reforms. The workshop showcased research findings from an ACIAR-funded collaborative project between the University of Sydney and ISPAE, and included participants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Finance, Vietnam National University of Agriculture and Bac Giang Agriculture and Forestry University. Two keynote addresses explored how policies support agricultural and rural development in Vietnam and farmers’ perspectives of those policies. The workshop was also a forum to share insights, gather expert feedback and inform government stakeholders about potential policy pathways to further advance Vietnam’s agricultural sector. A key outcome of the workshop is to prepare policy briefs for submission to relevant Vietnamese ministries, helping turn research into practical recommendations for agricultural development.
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|  | Prof Greg Fox met with national parliamentary leaders as part of the University of Sydney’s 175th anniversary Showcase at Parliament House in November, where he highlighted how our researchers are shaping Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia.
| |  Prof Lemuria Carter and Prof Azrini Wahidin held a fascinating workshop that explored the role of AI in criminal justice, including lessons learned from practitioners in Malaysia. Presenters: Dr Haezreena Begum binti Abdul Hamid, Dr José-Miguel Bello y Villarino and Prof Simon Bronitt.
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 | Dr Natali Pearson and partners held the successful “Sea Changes Symposium: Power, Money and Technology in the Maritime World” over two days in November. SSEAC supported the evening program at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, which included opening remarks by the Consul-General of the Republic of Indonesia to Australia, Mr Pendekar Muda Leonard Sondakh.
| |  | SSEAC was proud to once again support the Make a Real Difference (MARD) program at the Sydney Business School. It’s inspiring to see Master of Commerce students present creative, analytical solutions to real-world issues affecting communities in Southeast Asia including barriers to women’s economic participation, cultural preservation and educational inequities.
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 | In December, Dr Nate Zettna led a lively and engaging SSEAC Thailand Country Group lunch where researchers connected over Thai food to share interests and spark new collaborations.
| |  | SSEAC Leadership met with Australia’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Tiffany McDonald (centre), on strengthening regional engagement and our work with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN-Australia Centre.
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SSEAC is always thrilled to see our members’ research published, particularly work progressed at our writing retreats or supported through SSEAC.
- Justin Hastings and David Ubilava (2025), Agricultural roots of social conflict in Southeast Asia. Journal of Peace Research | SSEAC supported research.
- Billy Tusker Haworth, Eleanor Bruce et al. (2025), Enhancing expert elicitation techniques through participatory mapping: Application to marine environment assessments in Palawan, Philippines. Geo: Geography and Environment.
- Elizabeth Kirkwood at al. (2025), Gender gaps in energy policies: Examining the integration of women in energy policies across the Asia Pacific region. Energy Strategy Reviews.
- Van Tounch, Daniel Tan et al. (2025), Bridging extreme climate risks, financial precarity, and adaptation gaps: Advancing inclusive adaptation in rainfed agricultural systems. Global Environmental Change.
- Van Touch, Daniel Tan et al. (2025), Reshaping agricultural production systems: Trade-offs and implications for sustainable intensification and environment management. Agricultural Systems.
- Phuong Dung (Yun) Trieu et al. (2025), Enhancing diagnostic precision in breast cancer detection: A Digital Breast Tomosynthesis workshop approach for clinicians in the Southeast Asian population. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology | SSEAC supported research.
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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. Tune in to discover new research and fascinating insights from Southeast Asia.
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|  | Local research driving real change in child health in Timor-Leste with Dr Nick Fancourt
| |  | The state of the marine environment in Palawan, the Philippines, with Dr Billy Hayworth
| |  | Insects as natural and cultural resources in Southeast Asia with Matt Huan
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 | Leadership and sustainable teamwork in Southeast Asia with Dr Nate Zettna
| |  | Critical challenges facing Southeast Asian agriculture with Professor Tiho Ancev
| |  | Australia’s Southeast Asia strategy with the report’s author, Nicholas Moore
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Join the conversation!
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.
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