Professional Experience:
I am a skilled academic and consultant with a doctorate from The London School of Economics and Political Science. I serve as an Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
My expertise lies in Southeast Asian politics, with a particular focus on state-society relations during democratization and decentralization. I have a deep understanding of good governance, anti-corruption, sustainability, and climate change adaptation, which contributes to my practical knowledge of institutional reform and capacity building.
Beyond my academic pursuits, I bring to the table 17 years of consulting experience. I've tackled crucial issues like aid efficiency, corruption eradication, and institutional reforms. As a seasoned project manager and team leader, I excel in assembling and managing teams to oversee monitoring and evaluation programs, evaluability studies, meta-evaluations, survey design and implementation, and conducting key informant interviews.
My consultancy work has a wide reach, impacting regions such as Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. I have collaborated with significant organizations, including the Asia Foundation, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Transparency International, UNDP, USAID, and the World Bank. I also provide political risk assessments for businesses operating across Asia and contribute to briefs on political and economic developments for Oxford Analytica.
My unique blend of academic knowledge, practical experience, and leadership skills position me as a leading figure in my field. My work mirrors my commitment to understanding the political landscape and leveraging that knowledge to effect meaningful regional and global change. Through my efforts, I continually strive to foster a more equitable and sustainable world.