Fall Semester
In the Fall of 2018, students will build their expertise in parliamentarian research institution models and strategic functioning, as well as work closely with PIC staff to develop a model for parliamentarian research institution-building across ASEAN parliaments. Students will conduct an environmental scan of different parliamentarian research units across the globe, a participatory-based SWOT assessment of current parliamentarian research institutions across the region, and participate in seminars with legislative research experts (e.g. Congressional Research Service), retired legislators, and international NGO and donor staff, to identify replicable research institutional models most appropriate for the ASEAN parliamentarian community.
The semester will culminate with student presentations to colleagues at the Parliamentarian Institute of Cambodia (PIC), which can be conducted in-person over the holiday break, or in collaboration between a U.S. based team and a travel team visiting Cambodia over the holiday break. There is also the possibility of participation in an Inter-ASEAN Parliamentarian conference scheduled for January 2019 (still in the planning stage). By December 1, students will shape a formal agreement with the PIC executive team to determine a spring workplan and deliverables.
Spring Semester
In the Spring of 2019, students will co-design an implementation process with PIC staff, as well as have the opportunity to support research and design of training materials on policy topics of greatest relevance to the ASEAN legislative community (including Gender, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, Food Security, among others, being finalized in the coming weeks).
NOTE: Students will also be encouraged to proactively fundraise for their own travel, as students will have the opportunity to travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia over the winter break to deliver initial findings, as well as support an Inter-ASEAN Parliamentarian conference (still under development). Partial merit-based travel funds are available for student travel and additional funding sources have been identified for students to apply to individually. The class will also design a HornRaiser drive and apply for individual study abroad funds with UT’s Study Abroad office by October 1, 2018.
Contact Dr. Jenny Morrison, jenny.knowles.morrison@utexas.edu to schedule a meeting to discuss this PRP project.