During June 25-28, 2024, I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the Royal Anthropological Institute's major conference, "Anthropology and Education," held at Senate House, University of London.

My presentation, titled "Addressing Social Injustice through Civic Education: The Potentiality of Critical Civic Engagement in Thailand's Educational Context," was featured in the panel “Spaces of Inflection: Anthropological Perspectives on Global Crises and Educational Possibilities.” This panel brought together fascinating perspectives from scholars around the world, exploring the impact of ongoing global emergencies on educational spaces through an anthropological lens.

In my research, I bridge the conversation between U.S. and Thai civic education by utilizing the concept of critical civic engagement (CCE). CCE involves the reflective, informed participation of individuals to promote social, political, and economic change aimed at addressing social injustice. While this concept has been used by U.S. scholars to explore racial inequality in American society, my research examines its potential for addressing severe social and educational inequalities in Thailand through formal, mainstream education. Specifically, I address two key questions: How can CCE be integrated into Thai education to combat social injustice and offer solutions? What factors promote or hinder CCE in Thailand?

Representing Teachers College at this conference, alongside other doctoral peers and a professor from TC, was a significant honor. The experience allowed me to critically reflect on my work, incorporate valuable suggestions, and refine my research further. Moreover, I had the opportunity to network with academics who share my regional interests (Thailand/Southeast Asia) and concerns such as inequality. This exposure has broadened my academic perspectives and provided insights from more experienced researchers and faculty internationally in order to help me prepare for academia.

I understand that conference presentations can be both daunting and expensive. However, I believe it is crucial for doctoral students, whose work deserves recognition, to receive financial support to participate in these academic gatherings. The International Travel Grant from the Office of Global Engagement at TC is another excellent resource that can help subsidize your conference experience, and I strongly encourage everyone to apply.