Since 2015, the Kaldor Centre’s Emerging Scholars Network has brought together early-career scholars working on refugee and forced migration issues from Australia, the UK and US. The network provides an opportunity for scholars to share ideas and research across countries, disciplines and institutions. In August 2017, the ESN expanded with the creation of the Asia-Pacific Research Group, the first interdisciplinary community of scholars researching refugee law, policy and practice in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2019, an Africa Research Group was also formed within the broader ESN. 

The ESN’s Asia-Pacific research group:

• creates a collaborative community of early-career scholars working in related fields across the region;
• showcases scholars’ research in the fields of refugee and forced migration studies;
• promotes the exchange of ideas and encourage inter-country and interdisciplinary links, collaboration and dialogue on issues of mutual interest;
• supports scholars’ professional development by helping them to access resources for publications, funding and other opportunities; and
• promotes the study of refugee law and practice in the Asia-Pacific.

The research group stays connected primarily through online communications (email), ensuring the widest possible range of scholars. All official communications are in English. Members are eligible to apply to attend the annual ESN workshop held in Sydney each November. 

Questions about the Asia-Pacific research group should be directed to Madeline Gleeson at: kaldor-emergingscholars-asiapacific-owner@lists.unsw.edu.au 

Expand the Airtable below (view larger version) to see more information about the scholars in the Asia-Pacific research group, or use the table to search by research interests and countries/regions of residence and study.  

Members of the Asia-Pacific Research Group are available to provide expert commentary on their areas of expertise. Media and other outlets are encouraged to contact scholars directly.

Profiles of all Emerging Scholars Network members are available here.

Year in Review - 2019

In 2019, scholars in the Asia-Pacific Research Group gave international conference, seminar and workshop presentations; conducted fieldwork and doctoral research; and had a range of publications, from blogs and podcasts, to book chapters and peer-reviewed academic journals. A selection of some of these achievements are showcased in our 2019 'Year in Review' newsletter. 

Download the 2019 ‘Year in Review’ newsletter here.

Asia-Pacific Forced Migration Research Guide

The Asia-Pacific research group is in the course of producing a Research Guide to Forced Migration in the Asia Pacific. Please check back later for updates. If you would like to contribute, please contact Madeline Gleeson at: kaldor-emergingscholars-asiapacific-owner@lists.unsw.edu.au

The Kaldor Centre invites all early-career scholars (from honours to post-doctoral level) undertaking research on refugees and forced migration in the Asia-Pacific to apply to join the Asia-Pacific research group. Scholars based at universities in the Asia-Pacific region are particularly encouraged to apply, although applications from outside the region will also be considered provided the research is relevant. 

To ensure the success and value of the network to all its members, scholars are expected to:

• circulate periodic updates about their research on refugee and forced migration issues in the Asia-Pacific region;
• update the network about important legislative and policy changes in relation to refugee law, policy and practice in their countries;
• share new opportunities at their institution or in their countries (e.g. conferences, new research projects, funding and grant opportunities, important events);
• build partnerships and exchange ideas with other members of the network; and
• actively engage with other members of the network to build a vibrant research community, including by sharing their own work for feedback, offering to provide feedback on other members’ work, and sharing publications of interest.

Scholars interested in applying to join the Asia-Pacific research group are invited to subscribe to the mailing list and complete this form. 

Scholars accepted into the research group will automatically become part of the broader ESN.