About Us
Bridging boundaries for social change today & tomorrow
At the intersection of local action and global connection, the Crossing Borders Lab studies how communities and organizations navigate an interconnected world. Our research explores the evolution of civil society, digital inequality, and cross-border civic engagement, with particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region. We examine how traditional boundaries – geographic, digital, and social – are being reshaped by new forms of organization and collaboration.
Governance of Civil Society
Examines how civil society organizations develop and implement governance practices at local, national, and transnational levels. This research investigates the interplay between internal organizational structures, external accountability, and community impact. We study how organizations adapt their governance models to balance multiple stakeholder demands while maintaining effectiveness and legitimacy in diverse cultural contexts.
Evolution of Civil Society
Maps the changing patterns and adaptation strategies of civil society organizations across time and space. This research analyzes how organizations evolve in response to shifting social, political, and economic contexts. We study geographical differences in organizational development, focusing on how local conditions and global trends shape civil society’s transformation.
Diaspora Civic Engagement
Studies how diaspora communities maintain civic connections and contribute to social change across borders. Our research examines the role of digital technologies in enabling transnational civic participation, the impact of diaspora networks on local development, and the emergence of new forms of cross-border social innovation. We focus on understanding how diaspora engagement reshapes traditional concepts of community and citizenship.
Digital Inequality and Education
Investigates the complex relationship between digital access, educational outcomes, and social mobility in the Asia-Pacific region. Our research explores how digital divides shape learning opportunities, focusing on institutional responses, policy interventions, and innovative solutions for inclusive education. We examine both technological infrastructure and social factors that influence digital participation and learning outcomes.
Ethics & Social Responsibility
Examines how organizations translate ethical commitments into tangible practices and meaningful stakeholder communication across diverse business contexts. This research investigates the relationship between organizational values, governance structures, and social impact measurement. We study how businesses develop and maintain legitimacy while implementing social responsibility initiatives that respond to evolving stakeholder expectations and cultural differences.
Leadership & Representation
Examines leadership diversity and cross-sectoral transitions within civil society organizations in South and Southeast Asia. This research analyzes how leadership composition influences organizational effectiveness and investigates patterns of mobility between civil society, government, and private sectors. We study how representation across different social groups shapes organizational priorities and community impact.
Knowledge Center
Latest Publications
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Decolonize Civil Society Research
We propose a new collaborative model based on critical reflexivity, radical equality, and reciprocal feedback, where all team members have equal input on research decisions and authorship, and research outputs are made accessible to Southern scholars. While this approach may slow down the research process, we contend it produces more reliable and accurate findings while…
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Tensions between Materiality Assessments and Stakeholder Engagements in Thai Corporate Sustainability Leaders
This study analyzes how top Thai companies perform materiality assessments and engage stakeholders in sustainability reporting, based on the Global Reporting Initiative framework. Findings show that while companies identify material topics and stakeholders thoroughly, engagement is often superficial and lacks detailed impact disclosures, limiting effective reporting and stakeholder engagement.
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Cultivating an Innovation Imperative: Rethinking NGO Governance for a Changing Nepal
Nepal’s civil society, with over 60,000 NGOs, significantly impacts development in healthcare, education, and social justice. However, declining foreign aid and emerging market-based solutions threaten their traditional roles. This article emphasizes the need for innovative governance to enhance resource acquisition and oversight, urging NGOs to adapt and prioritize creativity to thrive in a changing environment.
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Technology in education: a case study on Thailand
This report examines Thailand’s educational challenges related to technology-enabled learning, including internet access, resource quality, and teacher competency. It emphasizes regional disparities, the need for equitable policies, child online protection, and declining education investment. Positive initiatives involve private sector collaboration and targeted programs for disadvantaged students, aiming to enhance educational quality.
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E-learning in Thailand: Mapping the digital divide
This study evaluates digital access among Thai students during the pandemic, revealing disparities in device availability and internet connectivity, particularly influenced by socioeconomic status. It emphasizes the need for improved data collection, equitable device distribution, and enhanced internet affordability to foster effective eLearning opportunities, ultimately recommending measures to bridge the digital divide.
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COVID-19 and non-governmental organisations in Nepal
This research note examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on NGOs in Nepal, revealing how they encountered increased demand for services, decreased funding, and challenges from state restrictions. Based on surveys conducted among 482 NGOs in 2020 and 2020-21, it emphasizes their critical role in recovery efforts.
Student’s Work
Supervised Work
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Tensions between Materiality Assessments and Stakeholder Engagements in Thai Corporate Sustainability Leaders
This study analyzes how top Thai companies perform materiality assessments and engage stakeholders in sustainability reporting, based on the Global Reporting Initiative framework. Findings show that while companies identify material topics and stakeholders thoroughly, engagement is often superficial and lacks detailed impact disclosures, limiting effective reporting and stakeholder engagement.
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A comparative study of human values of founders: social enterprise, for-profit, and general population in Thailand
Student: Sutima Detsakulrat | Degree: Master of Arts (Social Innovation and Sustainability) | Graduation Year: 2020 | Role: Co-Advisor with Daniel McFarlane and Neil Gains. This study examines the values and motivations of social entrepreneurs in Thailand, where previous research has focused mainly on broad institutional factors rather than individual-level drivers. Through quantitative analysis using…
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CSR initiatives during COVID-19: a case study of the top five fortune 500 companies
The research by Saurav Raj Basnet analyzes how the top five Fortune 500 companies adjusted their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. While their initiatives became more philanthropy-focused and prioritized safety, these short-term responses lacked the stakeholder engagement and sustainability commitment seen in their pre-pandemic programs.
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The use of technological innovation in the COVID-19 response by humanitarian organizations: case studies in refugee camps
The study by Kamonchanok Konghahong analyzes how humanitarian organizations used technology to address COVID-19 in refugee camps with 79.5 million displaced individuals. It reviews case studies across continents, highlighting adjustments to existing programs, collaboration, and the need for better technology selection and refugee engagement to enhance protection during the pandemic.