I am an independent researcher, writer and trainer working for peace, ethnic equality and an end to military rule in Myanmar.

I have worked in the region since 2007, mostly in conflict-affected areas in Myanmar and with refugee and migrant communities on its borders. All my work aims to contribute to peace, justice and rights for people affected by war, and is based on a commitment to promoting locally owned initiatives, institutions and individuals. I have a particular focus on ethnic politics, local level governance, the security sector and conduct of warfare, and various aspects of international aid policy and practice.

I have written policy guidance, provided training and assisted programmes for local civil society, resistance organisations and community-based groups, UN and other intergovernmental bodies, INGOs, research institutions, security think tanks and analysis firms. I have an MA from King’s College, London’s War Studies Department.

I have conducted extensive research and facilitated trainings and workshops across many of Myanmar’s conflict-affected areas. My research focused on governance and social service delivery by ethnic armed organisations, justice sector reform, security sector governance and reform, forced migration and repatriation / return, ceasefires and the peace process, and associated areas of international aid policy and practice.

I have written articles for IHS Jane’s, Asia Times Online, The Diplomat, Journal of Contemporary Southeast Asia Studies, Forced Migration Review, Frontier Myanmar, The Irrawaddy, The Myanmar Times, Mizzima News and the Democratic Voice of Burma, Oxford Tea Circle, Foreign Policy in Focus, US Institute for Peace Blog, SEA Globe, The Risky Shift, among others.

I worked as a film-maker and media trainer in the past, having co-produced, shot and edited documentary films and TV packages for numerous TV and online video outlets.