Monash alum Dr. Eng represents Cambodia at Australia Awards 30th Anniversary
Monash Arts Alum, Dr. ENG Netra, has been selected as one of the outstanding alumni award recipients to represent Cambodia during the 30th Anniversary of Australia Awards in Cambodia, an initiative celebrating the impact of Australian education in the region.
As part of this achievement Dr. Eng and her family travelled to Melbourne and revisited her alma mater Monash University. During her visit Dr. Eng met with senior university representatives including Professor Megan Farrelly, Associate Dean (Graduate Research), Faculty of Arts, Human Geography, School of Social Sciences (pictured).
Dr. Eng is a highly respected expert in development policy research, specialising in governance and inclusive society. With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years at the Cambodian Development Resource Institute (CDRI), she serves as its Executive Director. Dr. Eng's journey with CDRI began in 2003 as a research associate, and she has since held key leadership roles, including Director of Research and Head of the Governance Unit. Her work has produced groundbreaking research on Cambodia's political transformation, particularly in sub-national governance reforms. She holds a PhD in political science from Monash Arts (2013) - her thesis was entitled The politics of decentralisation in Cambodia: The district.
The Cambodian Development Resource Institute (CDRI) conducts independent, high-quality policy research in agriculture, rural development, development economics, trade, educational innovation, natural resources, environment, governance, and inclusive society. Collaborating with government institutions, international partners, and civil society, CDRI disseminates research through conferences, workshops, media, and libraries. CDRI employs 67 Cambodian staff committed to capacity building and contributes to national and international development efforts. Their vision is to lead as a premier policy research institute, fostering Cambodia's peaceful and prosperous future. In addition to her contributions at CDRI, Dr. Eng is active in various international governance and development networks and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals (find out more about Dr. Eng's research).
Dr. Eng spoke to Monash Arts about her time with Monash and the impact of her research.
Why did you choose to complete your PhD with Monash Arts?
Monash has an excellent reputation, both internationally and regionally. And it’s not just about reputation or rankings, which are impressive, but for me, it’s about the strong presence Monash has in the region. That, to me, was appealing.
I was fortunate to have two PhD supervisors—Professor Suzanne Blackburn, who specialised in Southeast Asian Politics, and Professor David Chandler, a leading Western scholar on Cambodia. Their guidance was instrumental in supporting my four-year research journey.
Additionally, Monash has a very diverse student body, which creates a strong peer support system. Being able to connect with peers, whether they are working on similar topics or not, is incredibly valuable. The opportunity to form those connections is really important.
I also benefited from various small support groups, clubs, and activities like writing and debating, as well as a wide range of seminars and lectures. The resources, support from supervisors and faculty, and the diverse student community made the entire experience truly enriching.
Do you feel your PhD amplified your potential to make positive change in your field? And also in Cambodia?
I received a great deal of support during my four-year PhD program. I was also invited to present and share my work, not just at Monash, but at other universities in Australia that have an interest in Cambodia. That was a rewarding experience, and the university provided valuable opportunities for knowledge sharing. You share what you know, but you also meet others working in similar fields, and you learn more from their work, especially if they were also focused on Cambodia or the region. These connections are something I continue to maintain and deepen in Australia and internationally.
In terms of my career, the PhD has elevated my profile. I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now without that qualification and recognition. But it’s not just about the degree; it’s also about continuing to build on what I learned during those four years—exploring new topics, sharing knowledge, and contributing back. One of the most rewarding aspects of my current role is helping to mentor the next generation of Cambodian researchers. It’s a privilege to work with so many bright Cambodians who are keen to further their education and contribute to the country's development.
Can you describe how your PhD research translates into real-world applications, particularly in your area of expertise?
During my PhD fieldwork in 2011 and 2012, I interviewed a range of individuals, and I still keep in contact with some of them—particularly the female local leaders I focused on. My research was about understanding how government reforms were implemented and the impacts they had, especially highlighting the challenges policymakers encounter at various levels. One of the key issues is the disconnect between national-level policies and their local-level implementation. CDRI’s work helps bridge this gap by sharing national-level information with local communities, while also bringing local insights back to inform national conversations.
The challenge for policymakers is to make high-level decisions that translate into meaningful changes at the ground level. Often, there’s a disparity between what’s decided at the top and what’s actually happening on the ground. That’s where research like ours at CDRI comes in, serving as a mediator of information and ensuring that both sides are aware of each other’s perspectives. This two-way flow of information allows for both sides to keep in touch, share insights and stories to advocate for and implement policies more effectively.
Do you have any idea where your research and work might take you next?
Currently, I haven’t had much time to focus on my own research agenda, but I’ve found other ways to make an impact. I support my peers and colleagues, as well as supervise and mentor students working on their own research projects. I hope that by offering my guidance, I can contribute to their success and to the wider goals of our field.
In the future, I’d love to do more regional-level comparative work, to focus on amplifying the voices of young people. Cambodia has such a large number of youth, and a younger generation in Cambodia, but they often don’t have the opportunity to channel their perspectives to policy discussions. At a community level that would be fantastic to find and facilitate synergies on how young people could contribute to the development and future of their own country.