PhD Student at NCCU
Po-Chun Wu is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science at National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan. His research primarily focuses on legislative studies, voting behavior, and political participation. His master’s thesis examines the legislative behavior differences among legislators who aspire to higher positions.
PhD Student at Emory University
Linh Hanh Tran is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at Emory University. Her research interests include public opinion, political communication, and elections under authoritarian regimes. She uses quantitative methods and design-based causal inference to understand how political attitude and behavior are shaped. Her ongoing data collection project gathers and systematizes information on candidates in Vietnamese elections. Prior to joining Emory University, she had received a M.A. in Political Science from the Central European University and a B.A. from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.
Researcher on AI Policy, Cornell University MPA
Catherine Setiawan is a Researcher on AI Policy at the Digital Futures Lab. Previously served as a Project Coordinator for AI and Gender initiatives at the International Telecommunication Union. She holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from Cornell University, USA, supported by a full scholarship from USAID Prestasi, and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Pelita Harapan (UPH), Indonesia. She furthered her expertise with short courses in E-government and Big Data at Maastricht University, Netherlands, sponsored by StuNed. In her leisure, she finds joy in traveling, reading, yoga, and meditation.
PhD Student at University of British Columbia
Salihin Subhan Mohamed is a PhD student in the Political Science department at the University of British Columbia. His current research focuses on Islamist politics and he focuses on Southeast Asia, specifically Malaysia.
International Relations Scholar and Political Analyst with Diplomatic Experience
Ernie Lee is a Master’s Student at National Chengchi University researching International Relations and Democratization. He spent his bachelor years focusing on the study of great power politics and diplomacy. He has published one journal article that mapped out the current landscape of Democratic backsliding research and has attended several major seminars—most notably the Annual Conference of the Taiwan Political Science Association. Beyond the academic pursuit, Ernie applied his skills in numerous politics-related projects or part-time positions. Including serving as the Youth Ambassador of MOFA in 2019, and working as a host at an Executive Yuan-organized technology exhibition.
ASEAN Security Researcher and Defense Diplomacy Expert
Marina Ika Sari is a researcher at the ASEAN Studies Program, The Habibie Center. She holds a Master’s degree in Defense Diplomacy from the Republic of Indonesia Defense University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta. Marina received the 2023 Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fellowship and was a Visiting Scholar at the Taiwan Center for Security Studies, National Chengchi University. Her research interests include security, defense, ASEAN, Indo-Pacific, foreign policy, and Cross-Strait relations.
M.A.STUDENT
SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
DaHyeon Jeong is a Master’s student in International Relations at Seoul National University and holds a B.A. from Chung-Ang University, South Korea. Her main research interests lie in the interaction between domestic politics and foreign policy, particularly focusing on how the political incentives of leaders and parties influence public foreign policy preferences, and vice versa. She is also interested in exploring the impact of political rhetoric and audience costs in international conflicts and negotiations. Beyond academia, she is passionate about building networks and advocating for issues such as polarization, democracy, and peace in the Korean Peninsula. She is currently serving as a member of the 2030 Youth Advisory Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
Southeast Asia Researcher and Academic with International Diplomatic Experience
Oudom Oum is currently an MA Student at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies of Waseda University and an Academic Assistant for the MBA Program at the Graduate School of Management of GLOBIS University, Tokyo, Japan. His contemporary research is centered around modern democratization/authoritarianization studies in Southeast Asia.
Before residing in Japan, Oudom worked as a Program Manager for Digital Economy in Cambodia’s country office of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. His earlier professional journey also commenced with internships at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Consular Office of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh. His research work was awarded the 2022 Youth Voice for ASEAN-China Cooperation, issued by the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia. Oudom holds a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Political Science and International Relations from Paragon International University in Phnom Penh and a Research Degree in International Development Studies from the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies of Takushoku University in Tokyo.
Political Researcher and Doctoral Candidate in Southeast Asian Studies
Aaron Denison Deivasagayam is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan. His current research focuses on Malaysian politics in re-examining the dominant party system. His other research interests cover Malaysia’s foreign policy, regionalism in ASEAN and the Pacific Islands, inter-Korean relations and Japanese politics. He is currently a member of the Malaysia Scholars on Korea (MASK) Network under the purview of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia. Prior to pursuing his doctoral studies, he was an International Programme Officer at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur managing projects related to UK policy priorities in Malaysia, that focused on institutional reform in the area of parliamentary, prison and police reform. He had previously completed his Bachelor of Arts (East Asian Studies) and Master of Arts (International Masters in Regional Integration) at the University of Malaya in Malaysia.
PHD CANDIDATE
NATIONAL CHENGCHI UNIVERSITY
Paula Perez Romero is a PhD candidate at National Chengchi University. Her dissertation explores the impact of transitional justice on authoritarian successor parties. She is interested in democracy and democratization, autocracies, regime change and nationalism. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Barcelona and a MSc in International Business from the University of Leeds.
Multifaceted Development
Professional and Advocate for Global Sustainability
Naveen Kumar Samuel Kori is a seasoned development sector professional with over five years of experience in government, non-profit and international organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Policy from KDI School, South Korea, a Postgraduate Diploma in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University, and a B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering. His diverse career has included roles as an Assistant Manager at Corporation Bank (IBPS SO 2015 batch), a Media for Social Change Fellow, a Clinton Fellow, a UNV, a Consultant (Grade-I) at the Capacity Building Commission and a Partnerships Officer at WFP. Fluent in multiple languages, Naveen is a published author and speaker with international certifications, including one in Climate Change Mitigation. Committed to global development, he aims to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and empower youth.
Assistant Professor
School of Communication and Business, Telkom University Indonesia
Yasmin M. Mangotara teaches basic and introductory courses, including introduction to globalization, political theory and political analysis, in the Mindanao State University. She is looking to complete here graduate studies in political science from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Her research interests include Bangsamoro politics, the complex relationship between inclusivity and diversity, the politics of language and digital spaces, and peacebuilding. As an aspiring Moro academic, she seeks to contribute to the Bangsamoro region in its continued quest for sustainable peace and the creation of a brighter and more inclusive future.
Graduate Student
Universitas Islam International Indonesia
Tri Sulistianing Astuti is a Political Science Department graduate student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia. She got her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Gadjah Mada University. She also has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the School of Government and Public Policy in Indonesia, with a thesis related to health and safety in local elections amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. She experienced much research about local governance, elections, monetary policy, and Islam and Politics. She has published several articles and book chapters about politics, public policy, and governance. Her latest book chapter is “The 2022 International Review of Constitutional Reform: Indonesia Report”, published by the University of Texas School of Law.
Doctor, National Spokesperson Indian National Congress (INC) , Media incharge (Rajasthan)
loksabha election
Teena Karamveer is a dynamic and influential figure in Indian politics, currently associated with the Indian National Congress, where she brings her considerable expertise in public administration and policy. A distinguished alumna of Himachal Pradesh University in Shimla, Teena earned her Ph.D. in Public Administration, delving deeply into the complexities of governance and policymaking processes in India. Her academic prowess is complemented by a remarkable achievement as a Harvard World Record Holder for being the fastest speaker to deliver speeches on social issues.
MA in Politics and Security, OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Tolgonai Elamanova is a young researcher and activist. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Politics and Security with a focus on Central Asia at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Tolgonai is driven by a passion for understanding and addressing complex global issues. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University. Having been an alumna of the prestigious Global UGRAD Program by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State, Tolgonai enriched her knowledge in International Studies at Presbyterian College, South Carolina, USA.
Her academic journey is complemented by hands-on experience, including election monitoring in the Kyrgyz Republic and working with local NGOs and INGOs such as the US Embassy’s Democratic Commission, GIZ and etc. on various political and social development projects. Additionally, she has worked on environmental and climate projects focusing on state and community relations, specializing in project management, advocacy, sustainable development, and raising awareness. With a versatile and enthusiastic approach, her research interests include politics in Central Asia, populism, democracy and democracy backsliding, state-society relations, human rights, climate justice, peacebuilding, and security.