Academic Collaboration
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Welcome to the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA), a dynamic hub of academic and research collaboration at the forefront of promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At RILCA, we are committed to fostering interdisciplinary partnerships with esteemed universities and organizations worldwide. Our collaborative endeavors are designed to create a rich tapestry of knowledge and innovation, bridging diverse disciplines to address global challenges. Through these synergies, we strive to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development, cultural understanding, and societal progress. Join us in exploring the transformative power of collaborative research and education, as we work together towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and interconnected world.
Thailand–China Collaboration: Academic Development in Thai Language Education
In partnership with the Department of Thai Language, Faculty of Foreign Languages and South and Southeast Asian Studies at Yunnan Minzu University, RILCA is strengthening academic cooperation with China. Associate Professor Dr. Watcharapol Wiboolyasarin has been appointed as a foreign expert and visiting lecturer to support the development of a nationally recognized Thai language program in Yunnan Province. This initiative is part of the “101 Project,” aimed at elevating Thai language education to a national strategic priority. Activities include co-teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, consulting on innovative curriculum design, and jointly conducting high-impact research projects intended for publication in Scopus Q1 journals. Through these efforts, RILCA and Yunnan Minzu University are advancing mutual academic excellence and fostering sustainable educational ties between Thailand and China.
University of Sussex – Mahidol Seed Grant
The Sussex–Mahidol Interdisciplinary Research Programme on Gender, Sexualities, and Mobilities in Thai–Western Tourism is a collaborative initiative between the Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA), Mahidol University, and the University of Sussex. The project, guided by researchers from both universities, particularly Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sirijit Sunanta from RILCA’s Ph.D. Program in Multicultural Studies, aims to improve research in gender, sexualities, and mobilities by working together on publications, applying for funding, and supporting new researchers.
At its core is the creation of the Sussex–Mahidol Mobilities Hub, which will foster long-term collaboration on the theme of gender and inequalities in Thai–Western tourism. This new hub builds on the previous Sussex–Mahidol Migration Partnership and brings together expertise from sociology, migration, gender studies, and cultural studies to address underexplored intersections of sexuality, labour, and mobility.
Complementing the hub is a pilot project focused on the social resilience of LGBTQI+ workers in Bangkok’s gay tourism sector. In partnership with local NGOs such as Bangkok Rainbow, this study will generate new insights into labour conditions, informal work, and social protections, laying the foundation for impactful research outputs and future grant proposals.
Through reciprocal visits, workshops, and stakeholder engagement across 2025, the program strengthens institutional ties and contributes to both universities’ global research strategies in the humanities and social sciences.
Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)
The Inter(national) Audio-Visual Industries and Religious Minorities: Policy and Best Practices for Equality, Justice, and Empowerment is a research development project funded by the Worldwide University Network (WUN). The project explores structural conditions regarding diversity and inclusion of religious minorities within the audio-visual (AV) industries in today’s global mediascape.
This cross-national collaborative effort brings together leading scholars from the University of Ghana, University of Leeds, Makerere University, and Mahidol University’s Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, including Dr. Alexander Jeffrey Dickie and Dr. Wikanda Promkhuntong from M.A. Program in Cultural Studies, RILCA.
Spanning Ghana, Uganda, Thailand, and the UK, the project explores how religious minorities—particularly Muslim creative communities—are engaged in production cultures and represented in film and screen industries. The project also examines governmental policies or the lack of addressing diverse cultural narratives and practitioners to challenge that status quo by promoting equity, visibility, and empowerment. It uses an intersectional, multidisciplinary approach to examine how religion, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status intersect within national media policies and industry norms. Key goals include:
- Analyzing AV industry regulations and inclusion policies across participating countries.
- Connecting with communities of practitioners to explore their views on policies and past experiences working on projects related to Muslim communities.
- Documenting and sharing best practices that foster fair representation of religious minorities in selected countries.
- Producing case studies that address different countries’ policy conditions and best practices to drive change and create equal opportunities.
By identifying both barriers and breakthroughs, the project will contribute to academic knowledge in media, cultural, and religious studies and deliver actionable insights for policymakers, media professionals, and advocacy organizations.
For further details on the project, visit https://wun.ac.uk/wun/research/view/inter-national-audio-visual-industries-and-religious-minorities-policy-and-best-practices-for-equality-justice-and-empowerment/
Aspire
The research project “DECISION MAKING OF ASPIRING (RE)MIGRANTS TO/WITHIN THE EU: THE CASE OF LABOUR MARKET-LEADING MIGRATIONS FROM ASIA” (AspirE) is a 3-year project (2023–2025) funded by the Horizon Europe Programme, examining the decision-making processes of aspiring (re)migrants from five Southeast and East Asian countries—China, Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—toward and within six EU member states—Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Portugal. The project explores how both origin and destination countries’ migration regimes take migrant behavior into account, the reasons individuals choose to (re)migrate or stay, and how these decisions evolve over time. Using a human-centered, qualitative methodology that includes case studies, interviews, policy analysis, and participatory tools like video diaries and focus groups, AspirE aims to uncover the micro- and meso-level factors influencing migration intentions and assess the degree to which spatial mobility policies align with migrants’ lived realities.
AspirE adopts a qualitative, interdisciplinary, and participatory methodological approach to study (non-)migration decision-making, emphasizing the human dimensions of these processes. Its mode of inquiry focuses on case studies of labour market-leading migrations from Asia, analyzed through a humanizing framework that engenders, decolonizes, and situates migration decisions contextually. Data collection methods include policy content analysis, semi-structured interviews with both experts and aspiring (re)migrants, social network mapping, video diaries, and focus group discussions. The project is structured around eight work packages covering ethics, empirical research, management, training, and impact. Among its key outputs is the “Stuck in Transit: An ‘Isan Lives in Motion’ Exhibition,” which showcases migrants’ lived experiences at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on 19th – 31st August 2025.
Web link อ้างอิงการดำเนินงาน:
https://aspire.ulb.be/
https://www.facebook.com/AspirE2023EUproject
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579532605010
SOAS – Language, Culture, and Sustainable Community Development: Taking the Conversation Further
The Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA) is delighted to partner with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in a groundbreaking two-year project, ‘Language, Culture, and Sustainable Community Development: Taking the Conversation Further,’ generously supported by the British Academy. Spearheaded by Prof. Julia Sallabank from SOAS and Asst. Prof. Sumittra Suraratdecha from RILCA, this initiative initially focused on capacity-building workshops at Mahidol University in 2021-22 to enhance writing skills for Early and Mid-career Researchers, adapting to virtual formats due to COVID-19. As we evolve, the project aims to expand its scope significantly. The next phase includes in-depth coverage of academic writing, research methodologies, soft skills, and addressing structural inequalities in career development, underpinned by a commitment to mentorship and fostering interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The shift to in-person workshops promises a richer, more interactive learning environment, facilitating networking, process writing, co-authorship, and a comprehensive approach to building sustainable academic communities and enhancing global research dialogues.
University of York – Mahidol Seed Grant
Mahidol University’s Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia, in partnership with the University of York’s Department of Archaeology, proudly leads a groundbreaking research initiative
“Participatory Engagement in Safeguarding and Progressing Cultural Heritage in UK and Thai Museums.” Spearheaded by Asst. Prof. Dr. Patoo Cusripituck, this collaborative project is at the forefront of exploring how museums in the UK and Thailand can adopt sustainable, participatory approaches to cultural heritage. The aim? To transform museums into vibrant, community-driven spaces where diverse voices help shape both heritage narratives and the future of cultural stewardship.
At its heart, the initiative builds a cross-national network of museum professionals and researchers dedicated to developing and embedding inclusive engagement practices into the core of museum operations. Rather than remaining on the periphery, community participation is reimagined as a strategic, long-term asset.
Though participatory projects are gaining traction worldwide, they often struggle to become an integral part of institutional planning. This research moves beyond temporary programs, seeking innovative models that place community collaboration at the center of museum governance. By combining the strengths of both institutions and drawing from the rich cultural landscapes of the UK and Thailand, the project champions museums as active agents of social connection, dialogue, and cultural preservation.
‘Reducing Indigenous Inequalities’ project under the Worldwide University Network (WUN)
The ‘Reducing Indigenous Inequalities’ project under the Worldwide University Network (WUN) addresses the profound impacts of colonial, postcolonial, and globalizing forces on indigenous communities. These factors have led to deep-seated insecurities, inequality in resource distribution, loss of heritage, and cultural homogenization, severely marginalizing ethnic minorities and their traditional knowledge. With young people migrating due to the perceived unattractiveness of traditional lifestyles, socio-economic challenges have intensified. This project acknowledges the vital role of intergenerational partnerships and community empowerment across all age groups in sustaining indigenous rights and heritage. Recognizing the unique socio-cultural-political contexts of different regions, our approach is comparative, aiming to identify effective strategies and policies that can address these varied challenges in local contexts. As part of our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 10, focusing on reducing inequalities, this collaborative network of interdisciplinary experts aims to promote social inclusion, economic growth, and environmental protection. We seek to share, exchange, and review international lessons and best practices, thereby contributing to the universal goals of social, economic, and political inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities, and ending discrimination. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to developing holistic and context-sensitive solutions for indigenous empowerment globally.
We are proud to partner with a prestigious consortium of experts from the University of Alberta, University of Cape Town, Maastricht University, Mahidol University, The University of Sheffield, University of Leeds, University of Warsaw, SOAS, University of London, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Meio University, Universiti Malaya, and the Society for Endangered and Lesser-known Languages (India), each bringing unique insights and invaluable contributions to this vital research endeavor. … read more
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – RILCA Empowerment: Creating Refugees, Migrants as Agents of Positive Change
Amid Myanmar’s political upheaval, a diverse group seeks refuge in Thailand, including students, teachers, doctors, and professionals. Recognizing the pivotal role of education in sustainable development, the project focuses on addressing challenges for students and volunteer teachers in achieving educational equality. Professional concerns, such as lacking essential training, hinder quality education delivery, impacting both teachers and learners. Adapting to a new environment is challenging due to language barriers and legal constraints. The Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia (RILCA) at Mahidol University aims to positively impact lives by proposing a targeted capacity-building program for these individuals, integrating a Global Citizenship course to foster understanding and cooperation in the broader context of their new community.
Rockefeller Foundation – Capacity Building Workshop on Multiculturalism, Medical Pluralism, and Communication for Healthcare Professionals
The International Workshop on ‘Multiculturalism, Medical Pluralism, and Communication for Healthcare Professionals’ reinforces the Rockefeller Foundation’s dedication to Health and Economic Equity. ASEAN is a diverse region with numerous ethnicities, languages, and cultures. Healthcare professionals in ASEAN often encounter patients or people from various backgrounds. Economic inequity is another concern in ASEAN. There are issues regarding income disparities, urban-rural divide, financial inclusion, gender inequality affecting many aspects of well-being in the region. The knowledge on intercultural competency can raise awareness, promote inclusivity among all, and facilitate successful communication among those with different sociocultural backgrounds. In addition, local healthcare systems in ASEAN countries can vary significantly. Local ways of life, local beliefs can also affect both health and communication issues. Personal cultural awareness and open-mindedness of individual healthcare professionals therefore play a crucial role in their intercultural competency. Intercultural competency, gained through awareness and inclusivity promotion, facilitates effective communication. Varied local healthcare systems and beliefs in ASEAN underscore the importance of individual healthcare professionals’ cultural awareness. Small group discussions in the workshop enhanced participants’ understanding of CLMVT languages, cultures, and well-being issues. Effective communication with diverse ethnic backgrounds is crucial for trust and quality care. Ongoing education, cultural sensitivity programs, and a commitment to addressing health disparities are vital for healthcare professionals to possess adequate intercultural competency, ensuring quality healthcare and an inclusive society where no one is left behind.
