The Asia-Pacific Development & Security Research Group draws on the expertise of researchers working on significant socio-political changes affecting the Asia-Pacific region. We’re seeking candidates to work on projects in line with the group’s key research themes below:
Gender, religion and development
We investigate how socio-cultural norms interact with the perceptions of equitable and just development in the Asia-Pacific region. An important research question is how to achieve gender equality.
Prospective supervisor:
Associate Professor Minako Sakai
Infrastructure development and its local impact
Our research explores the development and human security impacts deriving from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, IT and E-commerce Development in Southeast Asia.
Prospective supervisor:
Human security and development
We examine how significant social changes such as urbanisation, climate change and natural disasters have affected community resilience, food security, refugees, governance and social policy. A notable research project, Rural Livelihoods and Social Businesses for Sustainable Development, seeks to examine emergent diverse forms of rural livelihoods. It aims to identify appropriate policies and business partnerships to support equitable and sustainable development. Researchers Associate Professor Minako Sakai, Ajie Saksono (UNSW PhD student) and Hadi Noori (UNSW PhD student), are working in collaboration with Dr Falik Isbah at Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia.
Prospective supervisors:
Dr Morten Pedersen
Associate Professor Minako Sakai
Dr Nico Warouw
Military politics, democracy and human rights
Our research examines political development processes with particular attention to the drivers and obstacles to change, and the role of the international community in facilitating or inhibiting progress. The Rohingya Crisis is one of the key projects within this research theme. Mass atrocity crimes committed by the Myanmar army against Muslim Rohingya have caused one of the greatest human rights and refugee crises in the Asia-Pacific in decades. Dr Morten Pedersen is examining the dynamics of this conflict and evaluating domestic and international policy responses. He warns the international preoccupation with retributive justice is unlikely to provide meaningful solutions and could be detrimental to the welfare of the victims.
Prospective supervisors:
Associate Professor Jian Zhang
Dr Morten Pedersen
Dr Nico Warouw
China and the Asia-Pacific security
We explore the external and internal drivers of China’s foreign and security policies, Chinese military modernisation, its relationship with countries in Southeast Asia & Pacific Islands region, and the implications for Australia’s strategic interests. A key project, China and Space Warfare, studies China’s position as a rapidly emerging major space power. Notably, the Chinese military has long been a key player in the country’s expanding space program. Associate Professor Jian Zhang examines Chinese perceptions of space warfare and implications for the future of space security.
Prospective supervisors:
Associate Professor Jian Zhang
Associate Professor David Lee
Associate Professor Douglas Guilfoyle
Examples of current projects
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Bhirawa Anoraga
Supervisor: Associate Professor Minako Sakai
This presentation examines the promotion of civic pluralism through social engagement and new media in Indonesia. Since Indonesia’s democratisation in 1998, religious sectarianism and intolerance towards non-Muslims has surged. This presentation demonstrates the emergence of online movements that have effectively countered growing sectarianism in contemporary Indonesia. Its effectiveness is attributed to the role of new media which has enabled wide-ranging actors to engage and shape public discourses. Furthermore, this study highlights the social engagement of the broader community in promoting civic pluralism which has been more effective in attracting mass support in current neoliberal Indonesia.
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Melanie Fay Walker
Supervisor(s): Morten Pedersen and Anthony Burke
Using PAR methods, the research project will work with a group of youth in Rakhine State, Myanmar, to collect and analyse data on how they perceive their present and futures, particularly regarding peacebuilding with the Rohingya, through the lenses of resistance and everyday peace. The empirical research will integrate youth voices and experiences in scholarly deliberations on everyday peace praxis and contribute to more grounded and inclusive theorisations of, and engagements with, peacebuilding. Additionally, it will explore the suitability of ethnography in peace research.
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Ajie Saksono
Supervisor: A/ Prof. Minako Sakai
My research aims to propose the inclusive rural development model based on historical and chronological implementations of rural development programs in Indonesia. To achieve this aim, I investigate the previous rural development programs in Indonesia to find how the programs failed to bring benefits to the small farmers and low-income families. Subsequently, I will test the findings against current rural development programs in Indonesia to find whether there have been changing impacts of the programs on small farmers and low-income families. The proposed model will be based on how the programs benefit small farmers and low-income families.
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Feifei Cai
Supervisor(s): Dr. Pichamon Yeophantong and Dr. Nicolaas Warouw
This study aims to explore how Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) manage and negotiate their relations with civil society in Cambodia. In asking this question, the thesis speaks to broader research gaps pertaining to the responsiveness of MNCs from developing countries to opposition from civil society — a topic which is not yet explored systematically in the CSR and private politics areas — and the effectiveness of company strategies to manage their local relations. Drawing on institutional theory and corporate social responsiveness theory, the thesis will engage in a comparative analysis of three cases in Cambodia. All three cases feature ‘mega-projects’ that have secured investments from a transnational Chinese private-owned enterprise, and which involve local conflict over the acquisition of land by the respective companies.
Meet our researchers
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