RESEARCH FOR CHANGE
Southeast Asia has experienced progressive shifts, including economic growth, improved living standards, advancements in human development and citizen engagement, and greater global interactions.
Yet, there are signs of deep conflict visible in huge economic and social disparities, security challenges, suppression of political and civil rights, environmental degradation, cultural tensions, and clashes over value systems.
By studying social transformation in Southeast Asia with a critical and ethical attitude, we understand the forces that shape our lives and only then can we tackle important issues and effect positive, tangible change for people and communities.
Digital Southeast Asia
The Southeast Asia Research Centre for Digital Tech and Society( SEADS) is driven by our vision of a society where digitally-mediated political, economic and social exchanges are equitable, transparent, inclusive and accountable.
Monash researchers in this strength advance scholarship through critical examination of the relationships between digital technologies and human societies in Southeast Asia.
Migration and mobility in Asia
We examine how technological and infrastructural developments, along with the host country’ s governing techniques, have created new challenges for migrants in crossing borders and acquiring residency. Planetary crises such as climate change, environmental degradation, and health pandemics are also adding another dimension.
In this research strength, we look into areas including migration aspirations and migrants’ agencies, social change, gender, inequality, and migration management and governance.
Thriving communities
Our researchers are guided by issues of marginalisation and heritage in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, with a focus on communities that are disenfranchised, stigmatised and ostracised, and thus excluded from political and social resources.
We also look towards the rich legacies of the country and region, such as political, film and public relations historicities, cultural artefacts, literary and artistic innovations, online religious performances, and local spiritual epistemologies.
Geopolitics, development, governance
We take contemporary disruptions in politics, economics, technology, and ideas as opportunities to question established configurations of power, privilege and perspectives that have sustained national, regional and global orders. Our researchers approach this research area through four key points:
• Asian regional order: Critical geopolitics
• Transnational interactions: East Asia-Southeast Asia
• Contesting law and politics
• Politics of digital technology and governance.
14