The 2025 International Myanmar Student Research Symposium

Last year the ANU Myanmar Research Centre (MRC) made a small contribution towards the organisation of the 2025 International Myanmar Student Research Symposium (IMSRS), which was held on 17-18 May 2025.

An informal group of international researchers, academics, and practitioners from various organisation initiated the first-ever research symposium specifically designed for Early-Career Researchers (ECRs) in/from Myanmar. Given that many Myanmar youths cannot access established academic conferences abroad, the group decided to create a research symposium with the aim of providing Myanmar ECRs with a platform to present their research, engage in scholarly discussions, and build networks with other researchers.

MRC is delighted to hear from the event’s co-convenor, Dr. Anders Kirstein Moeller, that the Symposium received nearly 100 applications from Myanmar ECRs in-country and from around the world. Following a round of peer review and revisions, 88 presentations were accepted to present. Unfortunately, due to disruptions caused by the 28 March earthquake, only 44 participants were ultimately able to present in May. In the months leading up to the Symposium, the organising committee delivered five capacity-building workshops on ethics, research writing, digital security, and presentation skills. They also delivered a one-on-one mentorship programme for 30 select participants, with priority given to ECRs located within Myanmar who lack access to academic support.

MRC would like to congratulate the Symposium committee on the successful delivery of the event, and looks forward to promoting such events in the future.

The article is based on a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) report provided by Dr Anders Kirstein Moeller. 

Image by May Co Naing