Stories of Change
a Compilation
From the “Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences & Supporting Underrepresented Scholars of Asia” project
A Sweden-sponsored initiative
Stories of Change
Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden is generously sponsoring the “Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Under-Represented Scholars of Asia” (CHSS) a transnational project initiated by the Association for Asian Studies (AAS).
This project was launched in April 2022 in collaboration with four implementing partners based in South and Southeast Asia and a Focal Point in Timor-Leste. They include Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in India, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan, the Regional Center for Sustainable Development (RCSD) in Thailand, the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) in Cambodia, and the National University of East Timor (UNTL) in Timor-Leste.
By means of research grants, scholar-in-residence fellowships, skill-building workshops, symposia and conferences, publications, network of networks, and regional and international exchange, the aim of this four-year project is to “Enhance research capabilities of scholars and local institutions especially in post-conflict and conflict areas while helping to reduce the social and economic vulnerabilities of Southeast and South Asian low and lower-middle income countries through policy-relevant research.
Specifically, the project aims to –
Read our stories
The following is a compilation of Stories of Change, in the words of our implementing partners, research fellows and workshop fellows, who are cultivating the humanities and social sciences from the social and political margins and less studied areas of Asia.
Rajeshwari Deshpande
Prof. Rajeshwari Deshpande
Senior Professor,
Department of Political Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)
“As one of the regional coordinators of the CHSS project in India I would like to state some of the most notable aspects of the project which have helped us reimagine the research pedagogies in humanities and social sciences in the Indian and the South Asian context. The first is about the interaction of emerging scholars from the regional, public universities located in remote parts of India / South Asia to exchange notes around their research concerns among fellow colleagues and learned mentors. These conversations during the workshops, symposia and AAS conferences have created a novel academic awareness regarding the complex social realities in the region and the need to undertake nuanced, interconnected research for change through collective, collaborative research projects.
It is probably for the first time in the history of the region that South Asian and Southeast Asian scholars could meet each other and that too on a regular basis to share their research insights. These meetings and the imaginations which went into the making of the project have created ample potential possibilities of robust social theorizations from the marginal regions of the global south which are rooted in local empirical realities and yet aim to address the global concerns of marginalities, inequalities and exclusions. The project ensured such confident interventions in the academic discourses from the new generations of scholars from South and Southeast Asia in multiple ways. It not only worked for the enhancement of their research skills, but it was also sensitive to their social locations and thus encouraged them to present their work in regional languages, facilitated translation of academic resources otherwise exclusively available in English, and provided opportunities to extend research networks even beyond the regional hubs to create ever expanding circles of meaningful academic communications across South and Southeast Asia.”
Un Leang
Dr Un Leang
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH)
The Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)
The past three years have been a transformative journey for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) at RUPP. Through a series of thoughtfully designed workshops, we have created platforms and opportunities for doctoral students and early-career researchers to build foundational skills, refine their research frameworks, and bring their work to realization through higher quality PhD proposals and journey articles. From the inaugural sessions in 2022, which laid the groundwork for understanding research methodologies to the 2024 workshops, this journey has significantly strengthened the capabilities of Cambodian researchers, especially those who are underprivileged and underrepresented.
This initiative has also been a collaborative success supported by the expertise of resource persons, the dedication of participants, and the solid support of RUPP our host institution, and our partners, including the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) and Sida. The progress we have made together has been marked by many achievements, such as the awarding of research grants, the successful completion of higher-caliber research proposals, and the recognition of our participants on international stages. These milestones are not only a reflection of individual growth but also a step toward elevating Cambodia’s academic standing regionally and globally.
Looking to the future, we are excited to embark on the next phase: the 2025-2026 Journey of Deepening research Capabilities in Social Sciences and Humanities in Cambodia, focusing on advanced research skills, inter and cross-disciplinary approaches, and strengthening the integration of Cambodian scholarship into regional and global academic networks. As Dean of FSSH, I am deeply proud of what we have achieved together and remain committee to this shared vision of pursuing academic excellence for the Social Sciences and Humanities in Cambodia.
Sonal Dhanani
CHSS 2022-23 Research Fellow
Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliation: Independent scholar
Project: “Climate Preparedness in Local Languages”
Sonal Dhanani is the founder of Parindey Training and Counseling, a social enterprise dedicated to combating violent extremism and promoting mental health access through creative educational programs. She advocates for the empowerment of youth and women, focusing on economic and climate awareness. Sonal has presented her climate policy paper at the 2023 AAS-in-Asia Conference in Daegu, South Korea. She also contributed insights on “people science for climate change” and “Gender, Climate, and Memory Documentation” at the Sida 2023 regional partners meeting held at the UN office in Bangkok. She currently leads dialogues on the impact of colonial histories on contemporary climate challenges.
Thanks to the CHSS research grant, Sonal significantly expanded her work at the policy level. What started as a project documenting indigenous practices for disaster risk reduction has now evolved into a comprehensive initiative to train government officials on addressing the urgent need for gender-responsive and equitable disaster management and climate crisis response. In Pakistan, where there is little to no memory documentation on climate change, Sonal aims to decolonize the climate field. Her goal is not only to create climate change content in local languages but also to run a mobile exhibition that highlights the lived experiences of climate change and indigenous practices. CHSS has empowered Sonal to create lasting changes by bridging gaps in climate knowledge and by fostering a deeper understanding of the intersection of history, gender, and climate change.
Amit Gautam
CHSS 2023 AAS-in-Asia Writing Workshop Participant
Nationality: Nepalese
Affiliation: Social Science Baha, Kathmandu, Nepal
Research interests: borders, conflict and post-conflict regions, migration, displacement and refugees.
Amit Gautam is Senior Research Officer working with Social Science Baha (SSB), a Kathmandu-based research organization. Amit’s research interests involve a range of areas such as refugees, international border and livelihood, heritage, space and placemaking, and conflict and peacebuilding, among others. Amit participated in the 2023 AAS-in-Asia Publishing Workshop and Conference held back-to-back in June 2023 in Daegu, South Korea. These events were the first international events he ever attended outside Nepal. This experience leveraged the opportunity to network with Asianists from across the globe.
Amit has maintained contact with other workshop participants and scholars by collaborating with them through joint research projects. Besides nurturing his own professional network, Amit has also connected his colleagues at SSB and other co-researchers in Nepal with scholars he has met during the 2023 AAS-in-Asia enabling them to work together on common research interests. Thanks to this experience, Amit’s role was crucial in initiating a conversation between AAS and SSB about an AAS-in-Asia Conference in Nepal. His initiative has come to fruition and the 2025 AAS-in-Asia Conference will take place in Kathmandu with Social Science Baha as its host. Amit is a key member of the organizing team in charge of planning and implementing the largest academic event to take place in Nepal, which will gather more than 1,000 scholars over 4 days.
Wasinee Sutiwipakorn Topoonyanont
CHSS 2022 and 2024 RCSD Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Thai
Affiliation: Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Research interests: indigenous knowledge, cultural studies, environmental studies
Dr Wasinee Sutiwipakorn Topoonyanont is an early career scholar from Thailand, and her goal is to utilize local knowledge to promote academic dialogues internationally. Wasinee was hired by the Faculty of Humanities at Chiang Mai University and after her doctoral studies in the UK (at the University of London, SOAS) she started to teach general education courses both within the faculty and externally. Wasinee attended RCSD’s 2022 workshop on “Indigenous and More-Than-Human Ecological Justice” and she began researching folktales from Northern Thailand’s indigenous communities while immersing herself in environmental humanities and medical humanities.
Wasinee represented RCSD at the 2023 CHSS Symposium held at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. In 2024, she re-joined another RCSD training event on “Researching Climate from Social and Cultural Perspectives.” She collaborated with her colleagues from the past workshop to organize a panel for the 2025 AAS-in-Asia Conference. One of Wasinee’s exciting outcomes after attending the workshops and remaining engaged in the CHSS network, is her successful proposal to offer an undergraduate course at Chiang Mai University entitled “Eco-Nation: Critical and Creative Perspectives on Environment.” She will teach this innovative course for the first time in the first semester of 2025. From a young lecturer teaching the university’s general education courses, Wasinee has now embarked on a path to become an expert in Thai folklore and environmental humanities.
Sohaib Iftikhar
CHSS Financial Coordinator at LUMS
Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliation: Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Areas of interest: finance, international grant management, affordable business intelligence solutions for startups.
Sohaib Iftikhar is Financial Coordinator at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan, one of the five implementing partners of the CHSS transnational project. His role focuses on ensuring the seamless execution of financial operations that drive the success of the CHSS project. As a key member of the CHSS team based in South Asia, he noted “this project has provided me with the opportunity to collaborate with international organizations, enriching my learning experience and significantly enhancing my professional portfolio. In 2023, I extended my expertise internationally by collaborating with the West African Research Center (WARC) in Dakar.”
Thanks to the CHSS network that extends beyond Asia across the Global South, Sohaib travelled to Senegal to share his expertise, provide technical support and conduct staff training to modernize WARC’s financial system. This collaboration has continued in 2024 with remote mentoring to help enhance operational efficiency and continue to build internal capacity.
For Sohaib “The cross-regional exchange experience was characterized by knowledge-sharing, mutual respect, and a commitment to fostering sustainable financial practices, earning the appreciation of my Senegalese colleagues. Notably, WARC will utilize this capacity-building effort to train financial counterparts in other regional partner organizations in West Africa, transforming the initiative into a train-the-trainer model.”
Lili Chen
CHSS 2022-23 Research Fellow
Nationality: Taiwanese
Affiliation: Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e (UNTL)
Project: “What Sexualities are And What Sexualities Do? An Indigenous Understanding and Experiences of Sexualities in Timor-Leste”
Relevant website: YouTube
“I am a non-permanent scholar and the only female professor in the Department of Political Science at UNTL. I am committed to women and LGBT rights in Timor-Leste.”
“Thanks to the CHSS support, I was able to conduct exploratory research about indigenous sexuality in Timor-Leste nationwide and I attended international conferences and symposia in Asia and the U.S. In 2023, I presented my work to the World Bank, and I participated in the CHSS Symposium and the AAS-in-Asia event in Yogyakarta. My project enabled me to write a book manuscript, which is currently under review by NUS Press in Singapore.”
“With the support and recognition of CHSS, I feel that I really contributed to an important yet under-researched topic. As a result, my research was broadcast on national television. This exposure quickly helped increase my professional visibility while emphasizing the significance of LGBTQ+ issue in Timor-Leste.”
Lili currently lives in Dili, with her Timorese husband and their baby.
Ashraf Kakar
CHSS 2023-24 Research Fellow
Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliation: National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage
Project: “Pashto Folk Music and Dance Heritage Conservation”
Relevant websites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asEQXgIxrpg
https://ich.unesco.org/en/files-2024-under-process-01303?include=slideshow_inc.php&id=02248&width=620&call=slideshow&mode=scroll#https://ich.unesco.org/img/photo/thumb/18792-HUG.jpg
“Initially, our project aimed to document both Pashtun folk dance and Narh Sur (throat singing) in Balochistan. However, budget constraints and the logistical challenges of filming Pashtun folk dance—communal events that require extended periods of coverage—necessitated a shift in the research focus.
We decided to concentrate on documenting Narh Sur in seven districts of the Koh-e-Suleman Mountains. This choice allowed us to complete the fieldwork successfully, as throat singing typically involves two performers and was comparatively easier to document.
During my tenure as an AAS Research Fellow, I collaborated with the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), under the Ministry of National Culture and Heritage, Government of Pakistan. This research has been formally submitted for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list for the 2024/25 cycle. The submission will be reviewed during the Intergovernmental Committee session in December 2024 in Asunción, Paraguay. UNESCO has also published 10 pictures from our fieldwork in seven districts of Balochistan and as part of UNESCO’s requirements, I produced a 10-minute documentary titled “Music of the Mountains: Narh Sur/Narh Stunai in Koh-e-Sulaiman,“ now available for public viewing on YouTube.”
Sun Theary
CHSS 2023 RUPP Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Cambodian
Affiliation: The Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)
Research interests: health, welfare and education.
“My journey as an educator began in high school, where I taught English, and later transitioned to higher education, teaching tourism and hotel management. However, my life took a deeply personal turn when my son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Suddenly, I wasn’t just an educator—I became a mother determined to find solutions for my child in a system that offered little support for children with ASD. Living in Kampong Thom province, 200 km from the capital Phnom Penh, I faced significant challenges in finding resources and an understanding of autism in rural Cambodia. When I enrolled my son in a local school with neurotypical children, I had hoped he would adapt and flourish. Instead, he faced discrimination and isolation due to his limited social skills and communication difficulties. These painful experiences made me realize that Cambodia’s education system does not fulfill the needs of children suffering from ASD and this inspired me to take action.
Joining RUPP’s workshop series on “Mentorship on PhD Writing Journey and Journal Article Writing” has been a transformative experience in my academic and personal journey. The workshops provided structured guidance and close mentorship. I learned how to frame my research questions, develop a solid methodology, and write effectively to communicate my findings. The mentors also encouraged me to connect my personal story with my research, giving my work both depth and meaning. CHSS also gave me a small research grant to gather my data in Cambodia’s rural areas.
My research is not just about my son—it is about the many children with ASD in Cambodia who deserve better opportunities. I believe investing in early childhood education for children with autism is not just a necessity for families like mine; it is a societal imperative. Early intervention unlocks the potential of these children, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to our communities.
I am now equipped with the tools, knowledge, and support to bring my research to life. Together, we can bridge the gaps in special education and create a more inclusive Cambodia—one where every child, regardless of his/ her ability, is given the opportunity to thrive for a better future.”
Ahmed Khan
CHSS 2022 LUMS Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliation: Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) in Quetta, Pakistan
Research interests: Urban sectarian violence, ethnicity and border in/ of Balochistan
“My name is Ahmed Khan, and I am a lecturer of Social Sciences at BUITEMS. I participated in the CHSS “Research and Capacity Building Workshop for Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty” at LUMS in 2022. Those seven days have proven a turning point in my academic and research life. Afterwards, I was able to attend two international conferences in Thailand and South Korea. Thanks to the training at LUMS and the CHSS network, I developed the skills to write academic abstracts and research ideas, which enabled me to be selected for more than six international conferences in the past two years. I think this proves what the workshop and the CHSS project can accomplish for scholars like me.
In 2023, I was selected for the “International Research Support Initiative Program” by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, and I spent six months as visiting scholar at Lancaster University in the UK. After my return, I was invited to the AAS conference in Seattle and to LUMS. My biggest achievement was that in 2024, King’s College London approached me for a collaborative project. After a series of meetings, I secured funding from King’s college to organize a two-day international conference on “Geopolitics from below: Affect and Social Sciences in Pakistan” here at BUITEMS in Balochistan. It was the first conference held at the faculty of Social Sciences since its inception. The event gathered local, national and international scholars across many disciplines, and we engaged in concrete and thought-provoking debates on contemporary issues in Pakistan and Balochistan. Since 2022, I have published in Pakistan, I am now aiming to publish my work at international academic journals and publishing houses.”
Myint Than
CHSS 2022 RCSD Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Burmese, from the Mon ethnic community
Affiliation: Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Research interests: ethnic studies, conflict and post conflict studies
Myint Than is from the Mon ethnic group in Myanmar. He is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Science (Development Studies) at Chiang Mai University sponsored by the Chiang Mai Presidential Scholarship. Alongside his study, he also manages and teaches at the Department of Social Science at the Mon National College in Mon State, Myanmar. He has run the department since 2023 and he focuses on creating an enriching educational environment for underprivileged and marginalized students, offering quality learning experience, and fostering academic growth at the Mon National College (MNC).
Myint participated in RCSD’s 2022 workshop on “Indigenous and More-Than-Human Ecological Justice”. The workshop deepened his understanding of multispecies world-making, emphasizing humans as part of the ecosystem rather than its center, which enhanced his research skills and ability to analyze society-nature relationships for sustainable living. He was selected to present his research on “Armed Conflicts, Bordering Practices, and the Human (In)security Nexus in Mae Sot and Myawaddy Areas on the Thai-Myanmar Border,” at the CHSS “Mainstreaming the Margins” Symposium in Seoul in June 2023. In June 2024, he was actively involved in organizing a CHSS seminar on assessing the state of knowledge on Mon Studies to facilitate academic exchange between Mon scholars based in Thailand and Myanmar and lay the foundation for a new educational institute at MNC.
Palwasha Khan Jogezai
CHSS 2022 LUMS Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliation: Lahore University of Management Sciences
Research interests: Educational psychology, applied linguistics
Palwasha Khan Jogezai is from Loralai, Balochistan, a region of Pakistan endowed with natural resources but with limited educational opportunities for women. Thanks to a five-day workshop organized by LUMS, Palwasha discovered her passion for research, which transformed her academic journey. This workshop shattered her belief that research opportunities in Pakistan were limited. The rigorous training and teaching methodology opened her eyes to the world of scholarly research. Subsequently, Palwasha was selected to present two research papers at the inaugural CHSS Symposium in Thailand in 2022.
After being admitted at the MPhil in Educational Leadership and Management program at LUMS, she conducted her research in partnership with a school in Balochistan – the first collaboration of its kind for LUMS’ School of Education. Her work focuses on educational psychology and aims to influence regional policy development and create lasting impact for students and educators.
This transformative journey was made possible through the vision and support of the CHSS project. The project has provided her with access to cutting-edge research opportunities that empowered her while enabling her to build a bridge between LUMS and schools in underserved regions like Balochistan. Her remarkable journey not only showcases the importance of making research opportunities accessible to everyone, but it also highlights the potential for meaningful changes in marginalized communities.
Pradip Kapse
CHSS 2022 SPPU Workshop Fellow
Nationality: India
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University, India
Research interests: student migration, marginalities, underprivileged groups
“As a first-generation learner from a humble economic background, my academic journey from a small village in Maharashtra began with uncertainty and limited knowledge of the intricacies of academia and research processes. These intricacies included major language barriers. Having studied in Marathi and not in English, the road through higher education was not easy. However, my path underwent a remarkable transformation when I became part of the Sida–AAS-SPPU program. In terms of my personal academic growth, I believe this democratic cohort has significantly empowered me to voice my ideas in various ways. The interdisciplinary nature of the workshops, combined with a strong emphasis on feedback, encouraged me to share my challenges and concerns openly. I learned how to discuss my research paper with fellow participants, and the mentorship provided was invaluable; having mentors guide me closely through my research project enriched my experience.
I feel personally indebted to AAS, Sida, and SPPU for their unwavering support, which has inspired me to undergo academic growth within a supportive and motivational group of mentors. The friendships I have formed with fellow scholars have enriched my research experience and fostered a collaborative spirit that I find invaluable. An international exposure of this kind would not have been possible without their encouragement.
Reflecting on my journey, I recognize how the support from the Sida, AAS and SPPU program has been instrumental in my development. I am eager to extend my collaboration with this incredible team and continue to grow in my academic pursuits. The change I have experienced has transformed my research approach and ignited a lasting passion for learning and inquiry.”
Khun B.
CHSS Fellow
Nationality: Burmese
Research interests: disability inclusion, Human rights, development studies, and anthropology studies on ethnic communities in Myanmar
“My name is Khun and I come from a remote area in Northwest Myanmar, layered with poverty and negligence and with basic primary facilities, education, healthcare and limited social development. As a non-disabled person, the life of persons with disabilities (PWD) was my passion because one of my uncles lived with a physical disability throughout his existence. He faced problems in almost every aspect of daily life. Everything changed in 2009 when I was awarded a scholarship that allowed me to undertake an internship in India working in post-tsunami reconstruction projects. It allowed me to work with PWD people in very different settings; this became a life-changing opportunity. Through extensive data gathering and interviews with PWD leaders, I started to have a more coherent grasp of their situations. These research activities resulted in devising advocacy materials for the general public and various councils as well as for policymakers, governmental institutions, embassies, and development and humanitarian organizations.
As a result, I was able to present twice to the Myanmar Human Rights Rapporteur so that PWD issues were highlighted and their concerns brought into the international discourse. This experience has not only broadened my perspective on advocacy, it also gave me essential insights into how to do disability-related research and campaigns at times of political repression. Step by step, the networks we have built and the dialogues we have initiated are opening new avenues where concerns for the rights and needs of the PWDs can be documented, raised and addressed. On a personal note, I truly appreciate the path that has led me to where I stand. CHSS is one of the contributors of my professional career. I have seen my uncle fight in rural areas, and this has motivated me to ensure that PWD issues are part of various national and international development agendas. This experience has convinced me that I am on the right track in making society a better place, as it is often too exclusive and unfair in all its facets.”
Amita Kumari
CHSS 2022-23 SPPU Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Indian
Affiliation: Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Jharkhand, India
Research interests: modern Indian history, marginalities and vulnerabilities, gender & politics
Amita Kumari teaches History at Sido Kanhu Murmu University in Jharkhand, a remote province of India. She is also a doctoral student in Presidency University, Kolkata. She became a part of the CHSS project during the initial years of her doctoral research. This association proved to be highly enriching and transformative, significantly enhancing her research capabilities. The workshops significantly helped shape the broad framework of her doctoral research. In addition, she presented her work at two international events — one at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and the other in Daegu, South Korea. The workshops, coupled with the experience of attending two international events, greatly improved her ability to write research papers. She is delighted to share that a paper she wrote under SPPU’s mentorship will soon be published in the peer-reviewed English language Economic and Political Weekly Journal.
The benefits of her association with the CHSS Project extend well beyond her personal academic growth, however. Over the past couple of years, the project has reached out to her university located in a remote, semi-urban region of an underdeveloped province in India. Sido Kanhu Murmu University thereafter hosted a writing workshop, which proved highly successful, particularly because the sessions were held in the regional language. This initiative not only introduced local scholars to the project but it also encouraged many to apply for the workshops at SPPU. Several of them have since been selected to become part of the CHSS initiative, just as Amita was in 2022. From supporting one individual, CHSS has expanded its positive impact to help nurture a region in India that has long remained underrepresented in mainstream academic platforms.
Pasoot Lasuka
CHSS RCSD Resource Person
Nationality: Thai
Affiliation: Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Research interests: screen media, cultural studies,
planetary health humanities.
“My name is Pasoot Lasuka. I have been the academic organizer of the CHSS project, implemented through the RCSD hub in Chiang Mai, for the past three years. During this time, I have made new friends with scholars, both young and senior, from Southeast and South Asian countries. Most importantly, the CHSS project has allowed me to work with academics and experts who have experience in organizing academic workshops and training programs. I have gained new skills and insights into how academic events that empower young and early-career scholars are organized through this collaboration. In addition, I have learned from the CHSS quality and assurance team about how to create action plans and ensure that the goals set can be achieved. These skills and knowledge are important in academia, as they form the infrastructure that enables great ideas and research projects to be realized and to have an impact on society. Thank you, CHSS, for giving me such opportunities!”
Amrita Gogoi
CHSS 2022 SPPU Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Indian
Affiliation: Dibrugarh University, Assam, India
Research interests: women and gender studies, Nepalese female guerillas, memory
Dr Amrita Gogoi joined the CHSS Project in September 2022, as a mentee in the inaugural batch of the “Researching Marginalities Workshop” at SPPU. The project also supported her participation in two AAS conferences; one at the 2023 AAS-in-Asia, and the second at the AAS 2024 Annual Conference in Seattle, WA. Participating in the workshops and conferences along with the continuous mentoring have equipped her with enhanced reading, writing, thinking, and analytical skills. The project gave her the confidence and clarity to complete her doctoral writing projects and undertake new initiatives. One of them was to lead a group of 34 volunteers to undertake a health survey in Baghjan, Tinsukia, where in 2020 an oil inferno led to devasting effects on the people and ecology of this easternmost region of Assam.ream academic platforms.
In 2024, she collaborated with SOIL, a farm, art and craft studio in Dibrugarh, Assam, to curate a self-financed residential workshop for researchers, artists, farmers, and activists working on food and ecological conservation. She also successfully signed a book contract with Lived Places Publishing, LLC, New York, with contributions from the workshop participants. CHSS was able to create a safe space for her to share and listen to fears, excitements, dreams and hopes with mentors and fellow researchers who have all been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of her work.
Over the years, the benefits of the project have extended to many others in the region. Not only has the number of participants from the Northeastern part of India increased, but the project has also reached out to her university. In collaboration with SPPU, she organized a research methodology workshop for 30 researchers from different departments. Dibrugarh University is located in the easternmost fringe of India and it is characterized by high levels of poverty. It has also been severely affected by more than four decades of armed conflict and natural disasters. Starting with the support to one individual, CHSS has expanded its positive impact to help nurture a region that has long remained forgotten in scholarly exchange.
Abid Ali
CHSS 2022 LUMS Workshop Fellow
Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliation: Government Postgraduate College Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Research interests: Islamic socialism and anti-colonial struggle, counter-narrative in post-colonial state-Pakistan, social movements and land rights politics.
“My name is Abid Ali, hailing from a small village in Charsadda District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. I still vividly remember the day I came across a flyer from LUMS announcing an academic opportunity for underrepresented scholars in Pakistan. The very concept of supporting underrepresented voices resonated deeply with me. Encouraged by this, I applied and was selected to attend a 5-day workshop in Lahore, followed by a CHSS Symposium at Chiang Mai University in Thailand. These events transformed my approach to research. Not only did they enhance my research skills, but they also prompted me to critically rethink and unlearn some of my previous research methodologies. One of the most valuable lessons I gained was how to organize academic events that promote research innovation.
Inspired by this experience, I took the initiative to organize a conference at my institution; the first-ever conference in its history. This event brought together students and faculty from five different underserved colleges, providing them with a platform to present their research, share ideas, and build academic connections. The success of this conference was a direct result of my participation in the CHSS project.
On a personal level, the encouragement I received from Sida helped me apply for PhD programs at international universities. Lastly, the impact of these experiences extends to my students. I am now able to pass on the knowledge and skills I have gained through the CHSS workshops and international conferences. My students can benefit from the innovative research ideas and teaching strategies that I have learned, and they will continue to inspire them and shape their own academic journeys.”
Furrukh Khan
Prof. Furrukh Khan
Associate Professor Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
“The CHSS initiative has been nothing short of transformative, and I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of this journey. Being involved in a project that has empowered scholars from conflict-affected areas of Pakistan—people whose talents have long been under-recognized—has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.
This initiative is a testament to a deep, unwavering commitment to advancing scholarship, promoting equity, and nurturing intellectual communities in Asia. By lifting the voices of under-represented scholars, CHSS has done more than empower individuals; it has enriched the entire landscape of humanities and social sciences with fresh perspectives—perspectives that might have otherwise gone unheard. For every scholar who has been part of this journey, this program has been a life-changing experience. It has given them the resources, mentorship, and validation needed to believe in their own potential. One of the most powerful aspects of CHSS has been its ability to ensure that the stories and research coming from conflict-affected areas in Pakistan are no longer sidelined in international discourse. This initiative is a beacon of hope for young Pakistani scholars, many of whom have faced insurmountable challenges. It is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, with the right support, talent can thrive.
This program has broken down barriers caused by security concerns, limited funding, and institutional instability. It has ignited resilience and ambition in the hearts of these scholars, showing them that they are capable of making their mark on the world. And perhaps most importantly, it has given them the confidence to see themselves not just as recipients of knowledge, but as active contributors to the global academic conversation. The empathy and inclusivity that form the core of this initiative have touched everyone involved. It’s been a holistic approach—combining cultural understanding, social support, and a multidisciplinary framework—that has created something truly special. The changes I’ve witnessed in the participants during just a five-day workshop have been profound, and they have left me in awe. The shift in how they view themselves and their place in the academic world has been nothing short of miraculous, and being part of that transformation has been the greatest reward.
The true beauty of this program lies in its conceptualization. It wasn’t just about giving people the chance to learn; it was about empowering those from marginalized institutions and communities. It showed us all the incredible power of collective action fueled by compassion, vision, and a deep belief in the potential of others. For many participants, this was their first opportunity to travel abroad, and the impact of that experience stretches far beyond the academic sphere. It has created stronger bridges of understanding and has made the world just a little bit smaller—a bit more connected—by strengthening cross-cultural ties.
I can’t express enough how profoundly grateful I am to Sida and AAS for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this incredible initiative. The scholars who have participated in this project will carry its lessons, empowerment, and sense of belonging with them for the rest of their lives. For me, it has been a privilege to play a small role in something so meaningful, and I will carry the memory of this journey with me always.”
Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences & Supporting Under-Represented Scholars of Asia
