Academic freedom in Southeast Asia is increasingly under threat, closely tied to the region’s broader trend of democratic backsliding. Like other human rights defenders, academics and students who speak out on issues of social justice face constant risk – including state surveillance, administrative penalties, criminalization of dissent, and informal restrictions on what may be taught, researched, or published. These threats are even more acute in areas affected by armed conflict or where governments invoke national security to justify tighter control over academic spaces. The rise of youth movements in recent years in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are the cases in question where they face harsh state repression.
Research Fellowships on Empowering Academic Freedom in Southeast Asia brings together an annual cohort of 6 early-career researchers and advocates for ten to twelve months of structured inquiry, expert mentorship, and peer exchange — producing original research and policy proposals that matter to the region.
Research Fellowship Themes
THEME 1
Neoliberal Higher Education and Its Impacts on Academic Freedom
Neoliberal policies governing higher education contribute to the erosion of academic integrity and independence. Grounded in case studies, research under this theme will investigate how such neoliberal higher education affects academic freedom in practice. The findings will inform policy advocacy aimed at securing higher education institutions as space for critical knowledge development and enquiries.
THEME 2
Developing Regional Indicators for Academic Freedom
The research under this theme will engage stakeholders to design regional context-sensitive indicators and propose mechanisms for academic freedom monitoring in the region. The outcomes will be the basis of SEACAF’s future work to establish a robust academic freedom monitoring and documentation system in Southeast Asia.
THEME 3 OPENED FOR RESEARCH TEAM ONLY
Participatory Action Research for Training Modules on Academic Freedom
This research theme focuses on collaborative engagement with academic communities and student groups to co-develop training modules on academic freedom. Using participatory action research methods, the fellow will develop training modules and educational materials and test the modules through participatory workshops.
Funding Amount and Research duration
| Research Theme | Funding Amount (USD) | Research Duration | Special Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme 1: Neo-liberal Higher Education | 12,000 per project | 10 months | Individual or team application |
| Theme 2: Developing Regional Indicators | 12,000 per project | 10 months | Individual or team application |
| Theme 3: Participatory Action Research for Training Modules | 15,000 per project | 12 months | Must apply as a team (at least 3 members) |
Eligible Uses of Fellowship Funds (all themes):
Researcher’s monthly allowance: Compensation or stipend for the researcher(s) during the project period.
Research expenses: Costs directly related to conducting the research.
Fieldwork and travel: Transportation, accommodation, and other fieldwork-related expenses.
Research assistants: Payments for assistants supporting the research activities.
Data collection: Expenses associated with gathering research data, such as surveys, interviews, transcription, or data acquisition.
