RCSD : The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development

"Anthroposcenes:" Historicizing Colonial Landscapes and Seascapes
2022-12-01 11:00 - 13:00 (Asia/Krasnoyarsk) | online, Thailand
AMOR MUNDI Multispecies Ecological Worldmaking Lab presents: “anthroposcenes: Historicizing Colonial Landscapes and Seascapes in the Pacific World”—A Talk by Environmental Historian Gregory T. Cushman, and Roundtable Speaker Discussion with CHamuro Poet & Scholar Craig Santos Perez & Multispecies Anthropocene Scholar Maya Kóvskaya, moderated by Mon Researcher Myint Than, with Audience Q&A.
Thursday, 1 December 2022
11 AM-1 PM (ICT) INDOCHINA Time / GMT+7/ UTC+7
REGISTER FOR ZOOM LINK here
TALK ABSTRACT
From the time that humans first set foot on its shores, the Pacific World has had colonial landscapes and seascapes. Pictorial maps have been central to the modern history of representation and conception of this vast region, and they provide a vivid chronicle of colonialist ideologies in action and their contributions to environmental change, aspects of which long predate as well as critique Euro-American penetration of the region. From a decolonial perspective, Pacific landscapes and seascapes are as notable for that which is missing, erased, or out-of-sight as that which is easily visible to the colonial gaze. This article uses pictorial maps as a guide to three key epochs of environmental history in the region: the Homogenocene, Plantationocene, and Anthropocene. If earth scientists must insist on demarcating a starting point for the ‘human epoch’ of planetary history, they should look to dramatic absences—to anti-sedimentary formations—at the heart of the Pacific World to place their golden spike, which are symbolic of the extractivism and ruthless quest for power that drives industrial capitalist civilization.
ABOUT SPEAKER
GREGORY T. CUSHMAN (He/Him)
Gregory T. Cushman joined the history faculty at the University of Arizona, USA, this past August after years at the University of Kansas. He specializes in global environmental history, Latin American history, Pacific history, and the history of science, technology, and engineering. His award-winning book Guano and the Opening of the Pacific World: A Global Ecological History (Cambridge University Press, 2013) is one of the first studies to examine the environmental and cultural history of the modern world from the perspective of the whole Pacific Basin and demonstrates how humble bird excrement changed the course of modern history. Climate change and variability are central issues in Cushman’s work, as well as the environmental engagements of Indigenous peoples in the Andean and Pacific Worlds. In 2015-17, he was the recipient of an Andrew Carnegie Fellowship.

Book Launch & Discussion: "Winning by Process"
2022-11-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Join us on Monday, 28 November for the book launch of “Winning by Process: The State and Neutralization of Ethnic Minorities in Myanmar” (Cornell University Press) co-authored by Jacques Bertrand, Alexandre Pelletier, and Ardeth Maung Thawnghmung. The book launch and discussion will be held in the Subaltern Room with author Jacques Bertrand attending in-person along with discussants Ashley South and Tony Neil.
Winning by Process asks why the peace process stalled in the decade from 2011 to 2021 despite a liberalizing regime, a national ceasefire agreement, and a multilateral peace dialogue between the state and ethnic minorities. The book argues that stalled conflicts are more than pauses or stalemates. “Winning by process,” as opposed to winning by war or agreement, represents the state’s ability to gain advantage by manipulating the rules of negotiation, bargaining process, and sites of power and resources. During the last decade, the Myanmar state and military controlled the process, neutralized ethnic minority groups, and continued to impose their vision of a centralized state even as they appeared to support federalism.

Thesis proposal examination for Stephen Zau Zin Myat
2022-11-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Meeting room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
The Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in a thesis proposal examination:
“Ethnic Formation: The Role of Wunpawng Christian Church among Diasporic Kachin in Urban Chiang Mai”
Presenter:
Stephen Zau Zin Myat, (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
on Thursday, 17 November, 10:00 am
Examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leepreecha: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mukdawan Sakboon: Committee
Lect. Dr. Putthida Kijdumnern: Committee
Venue
Onsite: Meeting room 1, 1st floor, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences
Online: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/96138122749
Meeting ID: 961 3812 2749
Your attendance is highly appreciated!

Thesis proposal examination for Minitta Taosouvanh
2022-11-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Meeting room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
The Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in a thesis proposal examination:
“Community-Based Wetland Management and Sustainable Livelihood Practices in Neoliberal Development Conditions, Si Phan Don, the Lower Mekong River Basin, Lao PDR”
Presenter:
Minitta Taosouvanh, (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
on Monday, 7 November, 10:00 am
Examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chusak Wittayapak: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Arratee Ayuttacorn: Committee
Lect. Dr. Siya Uthai: Committee
Venue
Onsite: Meeting room 1, 1st floor, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences
Online: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/95157943845
Meeting ID: 951 5794 3845
Your attendance is highly appreciated!

A Pocketful of Seeds: circulation of plants as a tool of resilience
2022-10-07 13:30 - 15:30 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Please join us for a public seminar: “A Pocketful of Seeds: The Circulation of Plants as a Tool of Resilience among the Hmong Global Diaspora” presented by Alex Greene, PhD Student, French Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), University of French Guiana on Friday, October 7th, 2022 from 1.30 – 3.30 pm at the Subaltern Meeting Room, Ground Floor, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
Alex Greene is a PhD student with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), based at the University of French Guiana. His interdisciplinary approach uses ethnobotany as a lens to examine an array of issues around human-environmental relations, such as spiritual environmental beliefs and practices, multispecies relations, and food systems. His background is in environmental education, field ornithology and botany, and he has completed research projects on sacred and community forests in Nepal, human-elephant relations among the Karen in Thailand, and plant knowledge among the Raglai of Vietnam. His ongoing PhD project looks at how the circulation of plants has helped Hmong communities adapt to life in the global diaspora.

Thesis Proposal Examination for Bintar Mupiza
2022-09-29 13:30 - 15:30 | Meeting room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in a thesis proposal examination:
“Nexus of Social Differentiations and Conflicts in Oil Palm Plantation Zones, South Sumatera Province, Indonesia”
Presenter:
Bintar Mupiza, (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
on Thursday, 29 September, 1:30 pm
Examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chusak Wittayapak: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ta-Wei Chu: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leeprecha: Committee
Venue
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/97789177387
Onsite: 1st Floor Meeting Room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Indigenous & More-Than-Human Ecological Justice Workshop
2022-09-15 08:00 - 2022-09-19 17:00 | Chiang Mai
This site-specific five-day workshop will introduce emerging scholars in the Global South to transformative and transdisciplinary concepts and research methods in environmental humanities and social science research. Struggles for justice under Anthropocene conditions in the Global South will be contextualized in relation to the “feral effects” of dams and water diversion megaprojects on indigenous, marginalized and more-than-human communities, and their entangled socio-ecological lives and livelihoods, along rivers, and areas subject to development-driven deforestation and human disturbance.
Apply before August 5; read more details on how to apply here

A critical juncture: crises, disruption and the struggle for climate justice in Myanmar
2022-08-23 09:30 - 11:30 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
“A critical juncture: crises, disruption and the struggle for climate justice in Myanmar” with Dr. Ashley South on Tues, 23 August from 9.30 am to 11.30 am in the Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University

7th International Conference on International Relations and Development (ICIRD) at CMU
2022-07-22 - 2022-07-23 | Chiang Mai
The 7th International Conference on International Relations and Development (ICIRD):
“Disruption, Challenges and Resilience in Contemporary Southeast Asia” will be held virtual and onsite 22-23 July 2022 in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The 7th International Conference on International Relations and Development (ICIRD 7) invites scholars, researchers, graduate students across disciplines to submit the papers and being engaged in dialogues on the social and political dimensions of the unprecedented crisis, changes, challenges and opportunities faced by Southeast Asian societies in recent years, with a particularly emphasis on several key themes, including the Covid 19 pandemic; resource governance and conflict; climate change and environmental degradation; social and political conflict and crisis; and geopolitics and security in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo Pacific region.

Conference Themes

* COVID-19, Gender & Resilience
* Climate Change, Conflicts & Livelihood Security
* Human Rights, Conflict Transformation and Peace
* Migration, Forced Displacement & Refugees
* Agrarian Transformation, Resource Governance & Food Security
* Human Security & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
* Media, Digital Rights & Governance
* Gender and Sexual Representation
* Urban Space & Urban Livelihood
* Transnationalism, Transboundary Investment (BRI), SEZs

Cross-Cultural Encounters with Buddhist Monks in Chiang Mai
2022-07-06 13:30 - 15:30 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Join RCSD on July 6, 13.30-15.00 for a talk with Brooke Schedneck, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Rhodes College on her new book “Religious Tourism in Northern Thailand: Encounters with Buddhist Monks” published by University of Washington Press.

Conference Preparation Seminar Part 2: presenting a paper
2022-06-29 13:30 - 15:30 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Conference Preparation Seminar Part 2: presenting a paper
Wednesday June 29th 2022, 1.30-3.30pm
Venue: Subaltern room, ground floor, Faculty of Social Sciences
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/93404358088
This second seminar offers support on how to present a paper at a conference, addressing issues such as:
1. How to put together an exciting dynamic powerpoint
2. How to present in an engaging way
This seminar is geared to all master’s students in the Development Studies program at Chiang Mai University, although other students are welcome to attend.
Workshop moderator:
Daniel Hayward (Mekong Land Research Forum, RCSD)
With special guest insight from:
Associate Professor Peter Vail (National University of Singapore)

Putting Down Our Weapons When We Talk About History
2022-06-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
In this special talk, “Putting Down Our Weapons When We Talk About History: Using Primary Source Documents to Teach Multiple Perspectives on Burma’s Past”, Dr. Rosalie Metro will summarize the chapter she co-authored with Aung Khine in the recent volume edited by Mary Wong, Teaching for Peace and Social Justice in Myanmar: Identity, Agency, and Critical Pedagogy (Bloomsbury, 2022). She will describe strategies that she and Saya Aung Khine have used in teacher trainings and classrooms. In particular, Dr. Metro will explain how applied theater can help students and teachers consider history in new ways leading toward national reconciliation.
The talk will be held in person at the Subaltern room, basement floor of the operations building of the Faculty of Social Sciences, or can be joined by zoom here.

Thesis Proposal Examination for Noah Tanigawa
2022-06-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Meeting room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in a thesis proposal examination:
“Luk Khrueng-Hafu : Stories of Mixed Thai-Japanese Individuals and their Social Belonging”
Presenter:
Noah Kijun Tanigawa (Halzapfel), (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
on Tuesday, 21 June, 9:00 am
Examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mukdawan Sakboon: Chair
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amporn Jirattikorn: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Patcharin Lapanun: Committee
Venue
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/97789177387
Onsite: 1st Floor Meeting Room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Thesis proposal examination for Saw Nyi Nyi Hein
2022-04-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Meeting room, Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in
Thesis proposal examination: Thursday, 28 April, 13:00 P.M.
“Formalization of Land Rights and Land Dispossession in the Dual Administration Area, Hlaing Bwe Township, Karen State, Myanmar”
Presenter: Saw Nyi Nyi Hein, (Master of Arts in Social Science, specialization in development studies)
Examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chusak Wittayapak: Chair
Lect. Dr. Siya Uthai: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leepreecha: Committee
Zoom: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/93720823458
Meeting ID: 93720823458
Onsite: Meeting room of the Department of Social Science and Development, Faculty of Social Sciences.
>>Your attendance is highly appreciated<<

Thesis proposal examination for Sumitra Thidar Soe
2022-04-26 13:30 - 15:30 | RCSD Study Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in a thesis proposal examination:
“Myanmar Military Coup Impact on Displaced Women in Mae Sot, Thailand”
Presenter: Sumitra Thidar Soe, (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
on Tuesday, 26 April, 13:30 P.M.
Examining committee
Lect. Dr. Shirley Woarland: Chair
Lect. Dr. Rangsima Wiwatwongwana: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leepreecha: Committee
Venue
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/95991658318
Onsite: RCSD study room 02-001, 2nd floor, Operational Building, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Heritage Drinks of Myanmar book launch & author talk
2022-04-21 15:00 - 17:00 | 4th floor meeting room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
You are invited to attend a book launch + party + author talk for “Heritage Drinks of Myanmar” by Luke James Corbin on Thursday, 21 April at the 4th Fl meeting room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
Published by Silkworm Books, this book is an anthropological journey throughout Myanmar, showcasing fourteen of the wide variety of local alcoholic drinks made in this unique and fascinating country. In Myanmar, freshly brewed and distilled beers, wines and spirits are integral parts of village economies, providing health, communal and financial benefits. Rice whiskeys infused with insects and fresh beers made from a cornucopia of grains are brewed as they have been for generations by village residents with their own individual unique customs and traditions.
Afterwards, from 6pm, a cocktail party and book launch celebration will be held at the Bibliothèque De L’ Ècole Française D’ Extrême-Orient Centre De Chiangmai in conjunction with the “Tranc/figuration” tatoo exhibition, attended by the French ambassador to Thailand. Please dress “smart casual” for the celebration party.

Thesis Proposal Defense for Aung Nyi Lwin & Thesis Examination for Hanna Nur Afifah Yogar
2022-04-07 09:00 - 17:00 | RCSD Study Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
RCSD is pleased to invite you to participate in a thesis examination:
Objectifying the More-Than-Human: Bornean Orangutans and Indonesian Oil Palm Plantations in the Ecocidal Capitalism
Thursday 7 April 2022 at 9.00 A.M.
Presenter: Hanna Nur Afifah Yogar, (MA in Social Science, specializing in Development Studies)
Examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Carl Middleton, (Chulalongkorn University)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mukdawan Sakboon, (Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University)
Lect. Dr. Chaya Vaddhanaphuti, (Faculty of Social Science, Chiang Mai University)
Onsite: RCSD study room 02-001, 2Fl, Operational building, Faculty of Social Science
Online: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/93125569053
Abstract:
For Indonesia, Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) and the economic development project of oil palm plantations in Kalimantan Island are two sides of the same coin. The one that is valued as a “free gift,” and another serves as an economic good as manifested through ecocidal capitalism respectively. It signifies the distinct way in conceiving and treating more-than-human, or the process of embracing the other beings other than human’s existence. Therefore, it leads to the process of objectification of degrading Bornean Orangutans’ values—while this ape plays a great role in maintaining the balanced ecosystem. This study calls attention to the process of how causal chains of intersection between Bornean Orangutans, capitalism, and oil palm plantations alter the socio-ecological condition in Kalimantan island; and scrutinizes how eco-governance in the context of Bornean Orangutans and Indonesian oil palm plantation be managed to achieve ecology-economy sustainability and knowledge integration. Three theories underpin this study: the Actor-Network Theory (ANT), eco-governmentality and knowledge integration, as well as social (ecological) embeddedness through theory of doughnut economics. This study employs a qualitative approach by
conducting online interviews and case study in Kalimantan. In addition to that, secondary data is obtained through extensive literature review to support the primary information. The key findings show that each actor conceives more-than-human according to their interest and knowledge-based abilities that navigate to the given priority treatment. The Indonesian government tends to comprehend the oil palm agro-industry as a source of material gain—while protecting Bornean Orangutans on the basis of its icon or flagship species for the country, and its critically endangered (CR) status linked to the ecological niche. In a different sense, Kalimantan Dayak ethnic see the oil palm plantations as the battlefield in defending their lives and customary rights—including their cognizance of Bornean Orangutans as a sentient being that co-existing based on their indigenous ethics. For the conservation organization and environmental organization, they appear as actors that bridge the government’s scientific rationale and Kalimantan Dayak’s indigenous worldview and produce the so-called situated knowledge. Importantly, the findings testify that the constant expansion of the oil palm mega-agro industry brings ecocidal capitalism as an activity to multiply capital—and therefore yield unintended and detrimental effects, e.g., climate crisis, transboundary conflict, socio-economic inequality, and other demerits. Ecocidal capitalism is exacerbated by the oil palm global demand that forces global land rush within the globalization epoch. These findings provide alternatives in dealing with this particular problem of addressing the economic-ecology to not merely rely on technocentric methods such as technical and technological-based conservation—but also the approach from indigenous and situated knowledge as alternatives in addressing and solving the problem to balance the system of
economy and ecology. These all can be embodied in written codified regulations as a formal guideline, and an uncodified practice that involves multi actors in different levels, rationale, and implementation in dealing with a similar issue—the objectification of Bornean Orangutans within the oil palm plantations’ context.

Thesis proposal examination
Thursday, 7 April, 1:30 P.M.
“The Role of Chinese Investment in Banana Plantation, Lamyang village, Kachin State”
Presenter: Mr. Aung Nyi Lwin, (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
Venue
Online: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/92281648546
Onsite: RCSD study room 02-001, 2 Fl, Operational Building, Faculty of Social Sciences.
Examining committee
Lect. Dr. Ta-Wei Chu (David): Chair
Lect. Dr. Siya Uthai: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mukdawan Sakboon: Committee

Seminar: Myanmar's Digital Coup
2022-03-31 14:00 - 16:00 | 4th floor meeting room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Seminar: Myanmar’s Digital Coup
Date and time: 31 March 2022, 14.00-16.00
Venue: 4th floor meeting room, Operational Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University.

To attend in person, please register here
To attend via zoom meeting, please register here

Thesis Proposal Defense for Nazmul Islam and Nan Mya Oo
2022-03-31 11:00 - 17:00 | Chiang Mai
RCSD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in two thesis proposal examinations on Tuesday, 31 March
at 11:00
“Women’s Representation in Higher Education of Engineering Studies in Bangladesh”
Presenter: Nazmul Islam (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/93625163127
Thesis proposal examining committee
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amporn Jirattikorn: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leepreecha: Committee
Assoc. Prof. Dr. James Taylor: Committee
>>Your attendance is highly appreciated<<

at 14:30
“Tai migrants’ access to land and their livelihood security in Loi Khur Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand”
Presenter: Nan Mya Oo (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/97616841828
Thesis proposal examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mukdawan Sakboon: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leepreecha: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Arratee Ayuttacorn: Committee

Thesis Proposal Defense for Achmad Firas Khudi and Sai Phyoe Zin Aung
2022-03-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Chiang Mai
RCSD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University is pleased to invite you to participate in two thesis proposal examinations on Tuesday, 22 March
at 10:00 am
“Neighborhood from Below: Livelihoods and Dwelling of Akuarium People in Urban Transformation of Jakarta”
Presenter: Achmad Firas Khudi (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/92927040710
Onsite: Subaltern Meeting Room CMU., basement floor, Operational building, Faculty of Social Sciences, CMU
*All Students, please note: The seats in the room are limited, if you wish to attend the defense onsite, please register by email*
Thesis proposal examining committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Prasit Leepreecha: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Chusak Wittayapak: Committee
Asst. Prof. Komson Teeraparbwong: Committee
>>Your attendance is highly appreciated<<
at 13:30 pm
“Pregnant Shan Migrants’ Access to and Utilization of Care in Chiang Mai, Thailand”
Presenter: Sai Phyoe Zin Aung (Master of Arts in Social Science, Specialization in Development Studies)
Zoom link: https://cmu-th.zoom.us/j/96858596030
Onsite : Meeting room at the Department of Social Science and Development, 1st floor.
*All Students, please note: The seats in the room are limited, if you wish to attend the defense onsite, please register by email*
Thesis proposal examining committee
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amporn Jirattikorn: Chair
Asst. Prof. Dr. Mukdawan Sakboon: Committee
Asst. Prof. Dr. Bo Kyeong Seo: Committee
>>Your attendance is highly appreciated<<

Seminar: Everyday Justice and State Evasion in Myanmar
2022-03-15 13:30 - 15:30 | Chiang Mai
15 March 2022 – 1.30 to 3:30PM
Venue: RCSD Meeting Room (In person and online)

In Myanmar people’s access to justice has been severely hampered by decades of authoritarian military rule, identity politics and ongoing conflicts. The violent reimposition of military rule in February 2021 has drastically undermined people’s fragile sense of security and hope that the country might change, including prospects for reform in the justice sector. However, even prior to the coup, the central state justice system has not been associated with the provision of justice, but with discrimination, corruption, and injustices. Drawing on ethnographies of everyday justice across Myanmar (Naga, Karen, Mon, Pa-O, Rakhine, Yangon) in the pre-coup period, this seminar illuminates how ordinary people use alternative pathways to justice and deliberately evade the state. This is shaped by a strong preference for customary, ethnic-based, and village-level dispute resolution systems, and by a deep mistrust in centralized authority and official state law. Ethno-religious forms of belonging and cultural and religious norms, also shape justice preferences and ethnic justice systems have formed part of ongoing struggles for recognition, federalism, and self-determination by different ethnic organisations. The seminar will reflect on how research on everyday justice continues to be relevant in understanding and moving beyond the current crisis following the 1 February 2021 coup in Myanmar.

Speakers:
Helene Maria Kyed, Danish Institute for International Studies
Myat Thet Thitsar, Nyan Corridor and Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation
Thang Sorn Poine, Nyan Corridor and Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation
Justine Chambers, Danish Institute for International Studies

Discussant(s):
Kim Jolliffe
May Oo Muttraw (မေဦးမုတြော်)

To attend the Zoom meeting, please register to get the zoom link at https://cmu-th.zoom.us/…/tJEucumurzkvE9NxSJnndFM8AVf7…

For people attending on site, please register via this link https://forms.gle/BeTag1vK8MFVisHXA

ICBMS3
2021-03-05 08:00 - 2021-03-07 17:00 | Uniserv, 239 Nimmanahaeminda Road, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
The 3rd International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies will be co-organized from 5-7 March 2021 at Chiang Mai University. It aims to be a platform for regional/international scholars and practitioners interested in Burma/Myanmar society as it undergoes economic, political and social transformation to exchange ideas and research experiences on critical issues, as well as strengthen and expand their networks. The ICBMS3 committee invites individual abstracts as well as panel proposals from interested academics, researchers, graduate students, and professionals, as well as practitioners engaged in the field of Burma/Myanmar studies.
Conference themes

Economic Development in Myanmar
Resource Management (Forest, Land, Water, Fishes) & Governance
Agrarian Transformation & Environmental/Climate Change
Urban Space & Urban Livelihood
Migration, Migrants, Refugees and the Displaced
Transnationalism, Transboundary Investment (BRI), SEZs
Peace Process & Governance
Ethnic Inclusion/Exclusion
History and Social Memory
Language, Mother-tongue Language Education
Changing Media Landscape (Hate Speech)
Popular Religion, Religion and Harmony
Health Equality/Inequality
Education and Development, Non-state Education
Gender & Development
Myanmar and East Asian Powers
Art and Society
Food Security and Food Sovereignty
Social and Environmental Movements

Objectives

To deepen our understanding of the social and political transformations occurring in Burma/Myanmar and their impact on the environment, as well as on the economic and social lives of local/ethnic communities;
To examine Burma/Myanmar’s nexus and connectivity within the regional and global context, as well as the internal interplay taking place among state actors, society and culture;
To provide a platform for the exchange of academic ideas and dialogue among Burma/Myanmar scholars from around the world.

Knots “Lessons Learned” Workshop
2018-10-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Subaltern Meeting Room, Operations Building, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
RCSD invites all participants of the KNOTS Transdisciplinary Research and Teaching Summer School from CMU to join us for a reflection/training workshop “Lessons Learned?” Students, translators, instructors, please join us at 9 am Monday 1 Oct at the Subaltern Meeting Room!
