We're delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the "Inclusive Social Research in Cambodia" training program!

This capacity-building initiative was a collaborative effort between Australia Awards Cambodia (AAC), the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), and the University of Queensland (UQ). It equipped 28 Australian Alumni and 6 CDRI researchers with advanced skills in inclusive social research design.

The program ran from June to August 2025, starting with eight online sessions and culminating in three days of intensive in-person training from August 22-24 at Raffles Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh.

Participants were trained by three UQ professors, Dr. Nicole George, Dr. DB Subedi, and Dr. Kirril Shields, on key topics including:

• Developing a Research Proposal
• Integrating a Literature Review
• Choosing the Right Methodology
• Ethical Considerations
• Budgeting Your Research
• Publishing and Publicizing

Your Research CDRI researchers were also invited to share their local expertise, providing valuable insights on quantitative data collection, analysis, and navigating ethical issues in the Cambodian context.

The program's key takeaway is the empowerment of participants to develop high-quality research proposals for grants and further studies, including PhDs, ultimately strengthening Cambodia's development knowledge base. During the closing remarks, CDRI Executive Director, Dr. Eng Netra, highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration to create more opportunities for Cambodian researchers to upskill and engage with the region.

CDRI is committed to supporting these researchers beyond the program through invitations to our monthly research seminars, joint research, and mentoring opportunities.

A special thank you to our partners, especially Australia Awards Cambodia for funding the program and making this incredible opportunity possible for all participants.