Congratulations to Vanessa Bramwell and Jackson Calder.
The grants enable scholars such as Vanessa and Jackson to pursue research that will grow their knowledge, confidence, and connections in Asia. This is part of the Foundation's drive to help equip talented young New Zealanders to thrive in Asia.
Vanessa Bramwell - child protection in armed conflict
Vanessa Bramwell
Vanessa is a doctoral candidate at Massey University, where she is researching child protection in armed conflict.
Vanessa will be using her grant to examine how United Nations policy settings get implemented at a national and regional level across Asia, and what effect this process has on the creation of new domestic policy and operational norms.
The grant will support her visit to UN headquarters of the Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific in Bangkok, which houses the regional offices for UNICEF, UNHCR, and UNDP.
Vanessa will also visit United Nations University in Tokyo, where research into child protection policy is conducted.
Jackson Calder - competition for natural resources in Southeast Asia
Jackson Calder
Jackson is a Master of Strategic Studies candidate at Victoria University of Wellington. His project analyses how countries of Southeast Asia are managing competition for natural resources.
Jackson will be comparing Indonesia’s approach to regional strategic connectivity initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision to that of China, Japan and India.
Jackson will be using his grant to travel to Jakarta for research and interviews with key stakeholders.
The Foundation would like to get more young scholars to ‘Think Asia’ when it comes to their choice of future academic and career options. The next round of postgraduate research grants will be open from 1 February 2020 (until 31 July). For more information on the postgraduate research grants, please contact Dr James To (senior adviser, research and engagement) jto@asianz.org.nz.