Professor Banerjee is IDRC’s Research Chair on Forced Displacement at the Asian Institute of Technology’s Gender and Development Studies (GDS) Program in the School of Environment, Resource, and Development. Here she talks about her background and the research.
With her extensive research and publications on gender and forced displacement, Paula Banerjee aims to collaborate with universities, research centers and civil society organizations to inform policies and global discourse.
Further Information
Video on Year 3 of the IDRC Research Chairs Network
IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative launched its second phase in Bangkok with a Knowledge Marketplace that brought together partners and stakeholders concerned about research and higher education in Myanmar.
In November 2022, the IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative launched its second phase in Bangkok with a Knowledge Marketplace event that brought together partners and stakeholders concerned about research and higher education in Myanmar to exchange ideas. The launch, which included a public photo exhibition at the bustling venue of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, kick-started four years of online training, fellowship and support for research.
The events included book launches on the pre-coup stalled peace process and the situation after the coup. They also involved public discussion on the next steps to advance knowledge in Myanmar, and on federalism, peace and security, COVID-19 impact and recovery, climate change challenges and foreign aid. Research updates were provided on gender issues in the country, women’s roles in the economy, democracy and social change and migration. Finally, workshops were held on effective writing, communications and digital research, and risk and safety in a post-coup environment.
Satellite partner events were also held in-person and virtually at Chiang Mai University and Mahidol University in Thailand.
Tour the K4DM Knowledge Marketplace Event
K4DM is an initiative of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. Asia Research News and SEA Junction co-organized the Knowledge Marketplace with K4DM.
A team of young researchers, publishing anonymously, carried out a series of focus group discussions and key informant interviews in Aug-Oct 2021, to understand youth conceptions of ‘freedom of expression’ in the online world, and how this was being affected by the country’s chaotic political environment. In addition to the narrative report, three small creative grants were issued to artists who wanted to explore and bridge the domains of political expression, technology and art.
Tea Circle is a forum for new perspectives on Myanmar, highlighting analysis, research, opinions, book reviews, multi-media presentations and other types of submissions from a global community of contributors. Read the latest updates at teacircleoxford.com and email the editors to submit your post at editor@teacircleoxford.com or teacircleoxford@protonmail.com.
The report series seeks to enhance Myanmar’s knowledge development and promote academic dialogue within South East Asia. Published by International Development Research Centre’s (IDRC), Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Program (K4DM) and Chiang Mai University’s Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development.
Over the last decade, Myanmar’s transition to democracy has faced multiple milestones and challenges. The country observed its first free elections in 2015. As Myanmar just comes out of its second democratic election this fall, the turbulence unleashed by COVID-19 will undoubtedly introduce new risks in the transition. It will also provide an opportunity for the small—but active—community of scholars from universities, think tanks, and other institutions, inside and outside Myanmar, to provide evidence and advice on how to face these risks. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi back on December 2nd, 2019, stated at the opening ceremony of the “Medical Skill, Simulation and Research Center” that “Research plays a vital role in the existence and development or progress of universities. Progress and development in research greatly support a country’s development. Among world universities, the level of our universities rises. However, compared to other universities in ASEAN countries, it had dropped. I asked why? The answer was the rapid development and progress of ASEAN universities. These universities were progressing mainly due to research. This was where we’ll have to reinforce.”
After gaining independence from British rule, the education system in Myanmar was a model of excellence in the Asia-Pacific. Many believed the country was heading the way of other Asian Tigers at the time. It did not. The protracted armed conflicts in the ethnic states of Myanmar since the 1950s have resulted in displacement and huge disruptions in education service delivery in these regions. During the 1960s, the education sector was turned upside-down. Not only was education severely underfunded, but also teaching became a job that lacked the satisfaction and prestige previously enjoyed, leading to the decline of the system as a whole. Given the years of isolation and academic suppression, the pedagogy of the public education system, including higher institutions at all levels, still relies heavily on rote memorization, and neglects proof of understanding or critical thinking, both of which are central to research training.
A team of young researchers, publishing anonymously, carried out a series of focus group discussions and key informant interviews in Aug-Oct 2021, to understand youth conceptions of ‘freedom of expression’ in the online world, and how this was being… Read more: Cyberspace and Freedom of Expression in Post-Coup Myanmar
Dangerous Channels, led by Intellectum Research, explores how online misinformation and hate speech distort Myanmar’s social and political landscape. (January 2024) By Intellectum Research Consortium. MYANMAR DIGITAL RESEARCH 01 Watch the video Abstract This study aims to raise awareness… Read more: Dangerous channels: Misinformation and hate speech on Telegram in post-coup Myanmar
Linking science with policy is difficult in countries with top universities and well-funded research programs, but what about in developing countries? In this Asia Research News Podcast, we delve into Doing Research in Myanmar: a systematic study of how… Read more: Doing Research in Myanmar Report
The University of British Columbia created explainer videos with the aid of a grant from the IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy (K4DM) initiative. Watch: What are civil-military relations? Watch: What does it mean to be stateless?
Migrant workers are heroes of Myanmar’s economy, but are facing extreme challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Myanmar’s Centre for Economic and Social Development recommends policies to address the crisis. Video created in English and Myanmar to promote a CESD… Read more: Heroes falling through the cracks
Nyi Nyi Kyaw is IDRC’s Research Chair on Forced Displacement at The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) at Chiang Mai University in Thailand. Here he talks about his background and his work on forced displacement.… Read more: IDRC Research Chair on Forced Displacement – Nyi Nyi Kyaw
The University of British Columbia created explainer videos with the aid of a grant from the IDRC’s Knowledge for Democracy (K4DM) initiative. Watch: What are civil-military relations? Watch: What does it mean to be stateless?
(This article was originally posted on the International Development Research Centre website in English and French. Contributors: Edgard Rodriguez, lead officer, K4DM initiative, IDRC; and Kundan Mishra, senior program officer, IDRC.) In 2025, Thailand adopted a landmark policy, granting Myanmar nationals living in temporary shelters and border areas the legal right to work outside refugee…
Written by the SecDev Foundation The Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative is releasing three new studies that explore the digital tools being used to combat authoritarianism, and the state of awareness on online fraud and other cyber crimes. “Governance in exile: Examining the National Unity Government’s digital services efforts in Myanmar” analyzes the challenges…
Written by the SecDev Foundation The Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative continues to publish exciting research exploring the intersection of the digital world with politics and resistance in Myanmar. The below collection of articles from independent Myanmar researchers reflect the complexities and challenges of ‘doing politics’ in the digital age: “Targeted identities: Cyberbullying and…
Written by the SecDev Foundation The Myanmar military’s March 2021 coup and subsequent crackdown spawned headlines around the world focused on street protests, civil disobedience, ethnic tensions, and the subsequent armed resistance and refugee crises. The coup erased years of social, political and economic progress. Lost amongst these many setbacks was a small but significant…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
(This article was originally posted on the International Development Research Centre website in English and French. Contributors: Edgard Rodriguez, lead...
Written by the SecDev Foundation The Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative continues to publish exciting research exploring the intersection...
Dangerous Channels, led by Intellectum Research, explores how online misinformation and hate speech distort Myanmar’s social and political landscape. (January...
