Centre For Peace & Conflict Studies

Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) Programme

The resource persons for the ACTS MA and PhD programmes are drawn from CPCS’ network of peach practitioners, scholars, emerging leaders, and experts across the region. They are selected based on the needs of the current cohort and where each of the students come from and the conflict context they are situated in.

TANIA MILETIC

TANIA MILETIC

Dr. Tania Miletic is a Research Fellow with the School of Social and Political Sciences. Tania is currently engaged with the ‘Australian International Conflict Resolution Project’, undertaking research in partnership with DFAT, that aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of Australian diplomatic experiences in support of peace processes since 1990. Tania has over 15 years’ experience in research and teaching, specialising in peace and conflict studies as well as extensive applied experience on peacebuilding programs in the Asia Pacific region.

From 2005 – 2012, Tania worked with the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, a peacebuilding organisation based in Cambodia. Tania is a visiting researcher on a conflict resolution program in mainland China. Her recent PhD focused on understanding contemporary conflicts in China through exploring the perspectives of its emerging leaders. Tania has taught on conflict resolution programs in Australia, Cambodia and China. Her research foci include peacebuilding, conflict resolution, evaluation and monitoring, international development and refugee and immigrant mental health. Tania has consulted for a range of international organisations focused on peacebuilding, and is locally engaged with community-led initiatives. Tania has a background in psychology, having previously worked with the Centre for Global Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House Inc.)

SIN MENG SRUN

SIN MENG SRUN

Dr. Sin Meng Srun is Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs of thePaññāsāstra University of Cambodia. Dr. Sin received Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry Economics from the University of Georgia. Prior to joining PUC, Dr. Sin was an Emeritus Professor at Humboldt State University, California.

GABRILLE MICHAELA WILDE GRANT

GABRILLE MICHAELA WILDE GRANT

Gabrielle Grant is originally from North Carolina, USA and holds a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University, USA and a Masters degree in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution from University of North Carolina- Greensboro, USA. She also holds a graduate certificate in Qualitative Research from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Grant has worked at different universities and organizations focusing on research, advocacy, and violence prevention. She has served as a facilitator, practitioner, and researcher from the community to the international level, and has published on topics such as power, mediation, appreciative inquiry, structural violence, and genocide prevention. Prior to joining CPCS, Dr. Grant worked in Southeast Asia for many international non-profit organizations as a researcher consultant, working on issues such as access to justice for women and empowerment of marginalized populations.

DR. EMMA LESLIE

DR. EMMA LESLIE

Emma is an Australian–Cambodian who has worked on conflict transformation and peacebuilding throughout Asia since 1993. Since moving to Cambodia in 1997, Emma worked with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, the Working Group for Weapons Reduction in Cambodia and supported a number of Cambodia peace initiatives – the latest being the launch of Cambodia Peace Gallery. In 2005 she launched a Master’s Programme for the Asia region in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies.

In 2008, she established the Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies, which she currently leads as Executive Director. Emma also serves as a consultant for Conciliation Resources on Philippines peace processes, and supported the peace talks between Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) since 2011. She observed the Myanmar peace process as an independent observer, in particular supporting the talks of the Karen National Union (KNU) and the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF).

Emma teaches mediation courses at the Folke Bernadotte Academy in Sweden for the UN Department of Political Affairs. She holds an M.A. in International Development and an Honorary Doctorate in Education.

In 2005, she was one of the 1,000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. On June 13, 2016 Emma was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to international relations through the facilitation of a network of conflict transformation and peace practitioners in the Asia-Pacific region”. The Order of Australia recognises Australian citizens and other people for achievements or meritorious service.

SOTH PLAI NGARM

SOTH PLAI NGARM

Ngarm is a resource person/consultant/advisor for Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS) on Program Strategies, Conflict Transformation Skill Training, Research technical advisor for Listening Projects in Myanmar, the Philippine and Southern Thailand. Develop and train in Dialogue facilitation skills and techniques for Civil Society and government officials involve in Peace Process in Myanmar, from 2013 to present.

Ngarm founded the Friends Economic Development Association (FEDA) and is currently the director. FEDA assists in implementing sustainable community-based development projects for impoverished, rural families in Battambang Province, Cambodia. He has also authored several publications including Cambodia Reconciliation: A Reflection on Justice and Reconciliation Issues and Challenges for the past 25-Years and Cambodia Country Report: Searching for Peace in Asia Pacific

Ngarm is also the Program Officer of the Cambodian Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCCR), Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI) that developed a conflict resolution program for Cambodia. He planned, organized and conducted a series of training workshops in conflict resolution and peace building for development practitioners and peace activists in Cambodia. Organized and trained the Provincial Election Commissions in conflict management prior to the 1998 General Elections. Implemented and facilitated a workshop for Provincial Governors and Secretaries of State on public policy and conflict prevention. Developed a Conflict Resolution Training Resources Centre. Produced four-volume Buddhist Handbook on Conflict Resolution in the Khmer language. Networked with institutions, organisations, and individuals at local, regional, and international levels. Provide technical support to conflict resolution and peace initiatives upon request.

Presently, Ngarm serves as CPCS’ resource person in the program focused on Rakhine conflict and Rohingya issue and currently serves as faculty member of the CPCS programme on Applied Conflict Transformation Studies.

BETCHAK PADILLA

BETCHAK PADILLA

Betchak Padilla hails from Mindanao, Philippines. A peace leader who has many years of experience in process facilitation and peace leadership development. She is passionate and dedicated in cultivating experiences and connecting interdisciplinary work of peacebuilding and conflict transformation to deepen strategic peace work and practices. Over the past eight years she has been intensively involved in peace process support on conflicts in Myanmar, Philippines, Korean Peninsular and Thailand. Since 2015 she has worked as both Course Director and faculty for the MA program Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS). She previously served as the Executive Director of SALAM Inc a community peace building organisation in Iligan, and LIHUK (United Strength of the Urban Poor) a local development NGO. She holds an MA in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) and BA in Sociology. Mother to two boys, she is currently based in Cambodia.

JOSEPH AJERO

JOSEPH AJERO

Joseph is the Course Manager for the Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) Master’s and Ph.D Programme of CPCS. An ACTS alumnus, his MA thesis focused on strengthening youth identities of the Bangsamoro youth in Mindanao, Philippines through Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Joseph used to work as a faculty member of the Communication and Media Studies Department of the Mindanao State University-Marawi City.

Applied Conflict Transformation Studies (ACTS) Programme

TANIA MILETIC

SIN MENG SRUN

GABRILLE MICHAELA WILDE GRANT

DR. EMMA LESLIE​

SOTH PLAI NGARM

BETCHAK PADILLA​

JOSEPH AJERO​

DR. EMMA LESLIE

BETCHAK PADILLA

JOSEPH AJERO