Christopher is a Councillor at the Australian Institute of International Affairs NSW and a PhD Candidate at the University of New South Wales. His research focuses upon the interplay between political violence and economic development within the Asia-Pacific.

Jonald is currently working on his thesis for a Master of Arts in Philippine Studies with a specialization in Foreign Relations at Asian Center, University of the Philippines-Diliman. He is actively researching areas of Philippine foreign relations, sports diplomacy, and ASEAN relations. He completed his Bachelors degree majoring in political science and international relations at Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila in 2017.

Claire holds a Bachelor of Business, and will complete her Master of Laws through UNSW in 2021. Claire served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for 6 years, and now works in a Contract Management role for BAE Systems Australia Starting her career in the RAAF provided Claire with a unique perspective on the intersection of policy and application in the world of international politics. She has a life-long passion for foreign policy and international politics; with a particular interest in the Indo-Pacific region, and Australia’s policy engagement with this region.

Unaesah Rahmah is currently a Research Analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, a constituent unit within S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. She graduated with a Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Studies at RSIS in 2019. Her research interest includes terrorist networks in Southeast Asia with special focus on Indonesia; women and terrorism; and counter violent extremism.

Ahmad Helmi bin Mohamad Hasbi graduated with Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Islamic Theology – Quranic Exegesis from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, in 2011 and obtained his Master of Science (MSc) in Strategic Studies at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore in 2020. Currently he is a Research Analyst at The International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. He is also a counsellor with the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG), a group of voluntary Singaporean Muslim clerics providing religious counselling to detainees arrested for terrorism-related activities.

Heath Sloan is a public affairs professional with a passion for languages and international affairs. He is currently completing a Master in Law & International Relations at Peking University, where his research focuses on Chinese public diplomacy in Australia. He enjoys using his foreign language proficiency to investigate current affairs spanning the Asia-Pacific region, especially within ASEAN.

Aisyah is a final year undergraduate student of International Relations. She is interested in transnational issues, studying Indonesia with the Southwest Pacific region as her focus. She has committed herself to never stop learning and enjoys reading and writing fiction during her leisure time.

Farah is a fourth-year undergraduate student of International Relations at Airlangga University. Her high passion in reading and writing fiction doesn’t stop her from diving into academic writing. She is enthusiastic about topics regarding security, gender, and humanitarianism.

Muhammad Ichsan is a researcher at the Institut Teknologi Bandung Sustainable Development Goals Network (ITB SDGs Network) in Bandung, Indonesia. He is also an active member of MENTARI, a non-profit organization focused on renewable energy and community development. His research interests are in the political economy of natural resources policies, particularly in energy, climate, palm oil, and land use.

Ilyas is a renewable energy enthusiast. He is currently working as a green building and energy consultant. He is also a co-founder of Mentari Energi Indonesia, an organisation that supports and promotes empowerment activities based on renewable energy utilisation.

Yin Li graduated from the University of Sydney with a Master of Development Studies in 2019. With a background in history and anthropology of development, she has conducted research on development issues in contemporary Vietnam and the overseas Chinese community in Southeast Asia. Currently working in foreign affairs, Yin is looking at the Australia-Vietnam relations and Australia’s foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific, particularly through Australia’s development and aid programs.

Hilda Yanuar Jong is a Research Associate at Consilience Policy Institute. She has experience working as an investment professional in a private equity firm in Jakarta. Hilda holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the Institut Teknologi Bandung and a Master of Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Daravuth Rath Sithy from Cambodia recently graduated with a Master of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Warwick, through the prestigious Chevening Scholarship. Prior to this, he was a full-time lecturer of international affairs at the Royal University of Phnom Penh and an independent policy researcher at the Institute of the Future Economy (IFE) and Pacific Forum International. His research interests revolve around digital economy development in developing economies, public sector and policy innovation for efficient and inclusive growth, futures studies, and Southeast Asian regional and international affairs (with a particular emphasis on Cambodia).

Suthida is pursuing an MPA in Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value at University College London (2020-2021) where she volunteers with Project Access, UCL Asiatic Affairs, the Students’ Union Volunteering Service Think Tank and Sustainable UCL. Suthida is a passionate advocate for intercultural experiences and cultural diplomacy. She led the AIESEC in Mahidol University (Thailand) team from 2018-19 and is a certified World Youth Alliance member. Her academic background spans intercultural studies, philosophy, politics, international business, and history.

Nitika is studying Honours in International Relations at UNSW, where she is writing her thesis on internet governance practices. She is also working as a Policy Officer Intern at the Internet Association of Australia. Having studied commerce and politics, her research interest lies in unpacking the political, social and economic implications of technology.

Min Punia is a first-year Political Science student studying at the University of Yangon. He has participated in numerous ASEAN youth programs and conferences namely, E-ASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme 2020, Common Purpose – ASEAN Young Leaders Program 2020 and ASEAN Youth Symposium on Healthcare 2020. He has also been constantly working with several youth organizations for more effective youth advocacy in their communities.

Queenie Pearl V. Tomaro is a faculty member at the Department of Political Science, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. She has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the same university. Queenie earned her Master in Governmental Studies from Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta under a full scholarship grant from the Jusuf Kalla School of Government. She is presently an executive committee member of the Young Women Leaders for Peace and Leadership – Philippines. She also volunteers as Sub-Editor to the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership. Queenie’s research interests are in areas of women, peace, and security, public policy, and peace and conflict studies.

Isadora holds a Master of Law and Development from the University of Melbourne and currently works in criminal law policy. She is passionate about pursuing gender equality, particularly as it intersects with climate change and access to justice. She has spent time working in Myanmar and Cambodia since graduating from her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts.

Mia is currently undertaking her PhD in Geography at the University of Melbourne exploring the edible birds nest trade, agrarian change, and rural livelihoods across gender and generation in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. She has undergraduate degree in community development and has worked in Indonesia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Vanuatu and Fiji as a research assistant and project coordinator within agrarian change and climate justice. Mia is currently a co-director at the not-for-profit Climates and a partnerships coordinator at Researchers in Agriculture for International Development.

Shantanu manages the largest network of leading Social Entrepreneurs globally with Ashoka in South Asia. He works with innovators, youth, policy-makers and other stakeholders to catalyse systemic level changes on the most pressing issues facing communities. Shantanu has a particular interest in human rights, youth participation and governance and democracy. Shantanu holds a Bachelor in Commerce and Economics from the University of New South Wales.