Fully Funded Workshop on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia 2026 at Chiang Mai University (Apply by March 20, 2026)

The Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development (RCSD) at Chiang Mai University is inviting applications for a collaborative workshop on Forced Displacement in Southeast Asia, scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 3, 2026, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The workshop is organized with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and aims to bring together emerging scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in displacement issues across Southeast Asia.

This immersive workshop is designed to strengthen academic engagement and practical understanding of forced displacement in the region. Selected participants will join a group of leading scholars and practitioners to explore the causes, impacts, and policy responses surrounding displacement across Southeast Asian countries.

Workshop Overview

The week-long program is structured around four key components to enhance both theoretical knowledge and practical research skills.

Critical Academic Discussions
Participants will engage in discussions with leading regional scholars examining disciplinary approaches to forced displacement. Topics will include conflict-induced displacement, displacement driven by state-society dynamics, environmental injustice, and institutional responses to displacement crises.

Regional Case Study Analysis
The workshop will analyze case studies from ASEAN countries to evaluate existing policy frameworks, humanitarian interventions, and community-driven responses addressing displacement challenges.

Methodological Skill Development
Participants will attend sessions focused on research methodology, including research design, ethical considerations when working with vulnerable populations, and academic writing techniques. Structured peer review sessions will help participants develop their research proposals.

Experiential Field Learning
A two-day field visit to the Thailand–Myanmar border will provide hands-on learning opportunities, allowing participants to contextualize the theoretical frameworks discussed during the workshop.

Post-Workshop Academic Contribution

Participants will be expected to submit a 1,500-word essay within three weeks after the workshop on a topic related to forced displacement in Southeast Asia. Selected essays may be published as op-eds on the RCSD website as part of a dedicated publication series.

Funding and Financial Support

RCSD will provide the following support for selected participants:

• Meals and refreshments throughout the workshop

• Accommodation and travel support to Chiang Mai for participants living outside the city (minimum funding support)

Participation in the workshop itself is free.

Applicants from outside Southeast Asia are welcome to apply. However, if selected, they must cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• A one-page motivation letter answering:

  • Why you are interested in the workshop

  • How participation will enhance your academic or professional work

• A 300-word abstract of the proposed paper on forced displacement issues in Southeast Asia

• A writing sample (article, thesis chapter, research report, blog, op-ed, or conference paper)

Application Timeline

• Application Deadline: March 20, 2026

• Shortlisted Applicants Notified: March 27, 2026

• Online Interviews: March 30 – April 3, 2026

• Final Results Announcement: April 6, 2026

• Workshop Dates: April 27 – May 3, 2026

Interested applicants should complete the online application through the official RCSD application portal.

This workshop offers an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers and practitioners to collaborate with leading scholars, refine research skills, and contribute to meaningful conversations around forced displacement in Southeast Asia.

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