consultancy

As an anthropologist at large, I offer a critically engaged practice that merges the arts and sciences with a deep commitment to social justice. My approach emphasizes curiosity and bounciness through a daily practice of wonder to understand the wide and wild range of human experiences. I bring a fascination for how people inhabit and interact with their worlds to my consulting work in the SWANA and Southeast Asia regions.

Core Areas of Focus

  • My main fields of intervention include interpretive planning, culturally sensitive curation, and socially impactful heritage management.

  • I am currently welcoming projects that address involuntary resettlement as well as gender and social inclusion—particularly those that emphasize collective ideation, stakeholder engagement, and equitable participation.

  • My prior work spans human rights assessments, political detention, public health, gender equity, community development, and informal economies.

Tailored Methodologies

  • I specialize in developing customized research methods that put your stakeholders' needs at the forefront, whether through UX research, quantitative surveys analysis, or comprehensive and in-depth research briefs.

  • I tailor findings’ dissemination for diverse audiences to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.

  • I thrive in crafting detailed user personas, mapping journeys, and designing immersive sensory home visits and consumers’ audio/visual diaries.

Experience & Expertise


  • With over 20 years of hands-on experience, I have delivered culturally informed insights and socially grounded actionable recommendations.

  • I work with a range of clients, from private consortiums and community organizations to global institutions and grassroots collectives.

  • Notable collaborations include the UN, The Asia Foundation, and leading global brands in telecommunications and FMCG.

Let’s collaborate

  • If your project requires an innovative, people-centered approach that balances cultural sensitivity with actionable insights, I would be delighted to discuss how we can work together.

  • Take a minute to look at the examples below to see how I do this work.

  • Get in touch today to explore potential collaborations.

how i do it: projects sample

 

CULTURAL CONSULTANCY

  • 2025 | Energy Lab Asia | Understanding Linkages Between Buddhism & Climate Change

    2024 | Barker & Langham + DGDA (Diriyah Gate Development Authority) | DGDA Oral History Initiative Stakeholder Management | Dubai + Riyadh |
    Oral History (OH) Expert

  • 2010 | East West Center, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu |
    Chams: Muslim Communities in Vietnam & Cambodia |
    Exhibition Co-Curator

    • Sourced artifacts and collaborated closely with Cham communities of crafters and producers

    • Partnered with the exhibit designer and EWC lead curator to develop the exhibit layout and display strategies

    • Created visual elements, labels, and supplementary educational materials

    • Designed and led workshops, tours, and public talks

  • 2007 | O’Russei Vernacular Photography Exhibit | O’Russei Village Mosque |
    Initiator & Curator

    • Conducted research to identify pre-war personal photo archives

    • Documented & developed archives’ narratives and exhibit storyline

    • Digitized & printed photographs for display, created open ended labels

    • Designed, with community stakeholders, the exhibit on the mosque’ walls

    • Developed and led participatory reciprocal tours of the exhibit

    • Created an archive for future community reference, held at the mosque

  • 2005 – 2007 | Reyum Research Institute & Gallery, Phnom Penh |
    Assistant to Curation & Publication

    • Conducted background research with co-curators/researchers to provide historical, cultural, and thematic context for exhibits

    • Collaborated on exhibits and publications projects from the ideation stage to exhibition and publication design and public communication

    • Co-organized, facilitated, and translated public talks for neighborhood and community audiences

UX RESEARCH & DESIGN

  • 2010-2012 | Indochina Research Ltd, Phnom Penh
    Research Design Associate Director

    • Research strategy & design:

      • led user-centered design and UX research plans (qualitative and quantitative), in alignment with user needs and clients objectives.

    • User insights & analysis:

      • provided actionable recommendations to wide range of local & global clients & synthesized user data (e.g., usability tests, mystery shoppers, users personas, FGDs & IDIs, cross-country surveys).

    • Client collaboration & reporting:

      • delivered research findings through clear, impactful reports and presentations, driving strategies and business development.

    • Team leadership & training:

      • mentored junior partners & trained local survey collaborators, ensuring rigorous yet responsive research through collaboration.

DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANCY

  • 2000-2020 | Selection of Development Consultancy Clients:

    • The World Bank

    • USAID

    • World Health Organization

    • UNESCO

    • UNDP

    • Asia Foundation

    • Center for Advanced Studies

    • Saint Blanquat & Associates

    • Sathapana Bank

    • AMRET Microfinance

    • UNHCR

    • Red Cross

    • Amnesty International

    • ECCC (Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia)

    • …

 
Let's Work Together!