Call for Applications: Workshop on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia


Capacity Building Workshop for Young Scholars on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia 15-19 June 2023 at RCSD, Chiang Mai University

The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD), Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University is inviting young & mid-career researchers, development practitioners, policy-makers and graduate students of nationals of Southeast Asia countries to participate in a five-day capacity building workshop on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University.

Forced displacement is a growing crisis in Southeast Asia. Conflict remains the most prevalent cause behind it, while disasters or climate change and development projects are also contributing factors to it. While conflict causes the worst form of displacement in mainland Southeast Asia in general and particularly in Myanmar, climate change and disasters (especially storms) displace millions in maritime Southeast Asia in general and particularly in the Philippines.

In general, forced displacement of all types and scales affect not only communities, people and countries that directly suffer from it but that have to host them willingly or unwillingly, exerting considerable social, political, and economic impact on both the former and the latter. While both majorities and minorities may be hit by displacement, minorities often disproportionately suffer from it. Also, women and girls may go through displacement in a more severe manner, compared to their male counterparts.

The workshop has two components, the first one is a critical analysis of the existing disciplinary and thematic knowledge on forced displacement and manifestations of the phenomenon and the second component includes case studies of forced displacement in and from Southeast Asia and policies and practices to respond to the problem in the region. At the end of the workshop, the participants are expected to produce a 1,000-word analytical or reflective essay of a topic or issue of forced displacement in Southeast Asia of their choice. This workshop targets around 15-20 young scholars and researchers ideally from countries Southeast Asia who are passionate about learning and conducting research on the regional problem, may demonstrate interest in it, and have experienced displacement in the past and are experiencing it now.

  • Eligible applicants should be:
  • Nationals of Southeast Asia countries;
  • Those who possess workable English communication skills;
  • Those who are passionate about learning forced displacement and having working or research experienced forced displacement;
  • Young & mid-career researchers, development practitioners, policy-makers and graduate students attending relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programs in social sciences and humanities and have interest in forced displacement; and

Those interested in applying for the workshop should 1) fill in the application form online here along with a curriculum vitae that lays out educational qualifications and relevant experiences and an essay (1-2 pages) that explains why the applicant is interested in forced displacement and what he/she expects from the workshop by 20th May 2023.

Funding support
RCSD will provide meals and refreshment during the workshop. For those living outside Chiang Mai, there is a small amount of funding available to cover accommodation, field trip expenses, and travel to Chiang Mai for a limited number of participants.