Bio
Pon Souvannaseng has a doctorate from the London School of Economics & Political Science. A political economist by training, she researches the intersection of private and public sector actors in comparative global infrastructure lending and energy development in Asia and Africa. She is particularly interested in the financialization of infrastructure and South-South asymmetric dependency. Pon has a strong interest in how the political economy of development, international affairs, and environment and energy research intersect. Pon has held a Mansfield-Luce Asia Fellowship (2020-2022), a Wilson Center China Fellowship (2021), an APSA Asia Scholarship (2019-2021), and is a Non-Resident Visiting Fellow of the East-West Center, Washington DC. Her research has been supported by US Fulbright, UK Research & Innovation, Japan Foundation and Bentley Research Council grants. She has served as a researcher at the UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) & ASEAN Labour Secretariat. She is a Research Affiliate of the Centre for Crisis Studies & Mitigation at the University of Manchester. Pon is a Network B Organizer for the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (SASE) and Board Member of the Thai, Lao, Cambodia (TLC) Studies Group of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS).
Professional Links
Professional Memberships
Association for Asian Studies 2022 - PresentSociety of the Advancement of Socio-Economics 2021 - PresentInternational Studies Association 2020 - PresentAssociation for American Geographers 2019 - PresentAmerican Political Science Association 2019 - PresentDevelopment Studies Association 2018 - PresentAssociation for Southeast Asia Studies (UK) 2018 - PresentSociety for the Advance of Socio-Economics 2015 - PresentAwards and Honors
2023, Thai, Lao, Cambodia Studies Group - Designated Research Panel Award 2023, Association for Asian Studies - Thailand, Laos, Cambodia (TLC) Studies Group2022, Bentley Research Council Grant, Bentley Research Council2021, Bentley Faculty Affairs Committee Grant, Bentley Faculty Affairs Committee2021, Wilson China Fellowship, Woodrow Wilson Center2020, East-West Center DC - Non-Residential Asia Fellow 2020, East West Center, Washington DC - Japan Foundation - US Embassy, Tokyo2020, Mansfield-Luce Asia Scholar 2020-2021, Mansfield Foundation / Henry Luce Foundation2019, American Political Science Association Asia Fellow, American Political Science Association2014, International Federation for University Women Recognition Award, International Federation for University Women 2013, Fulbright Independent Research Grant, US Department of Education2012, South-South Young Laureate Fellowship, CLACSO-CODESRIA-APISAPublications
Journal Articles
Souvannaseng, P. (2022). Liquidated: US/Japan-Chinese Rivalry, Financial Crises, and Explaining Shifts in Hydropower Finance Regimes in the Mekong. Asian Perspective. Winter 2021 (Link)Markkanen, S., Plummer Braeckman, J., Souvannaseng, P. (2020). Mapping the evolving complexity of large hydropower project finance in low and lower-middle income countries. Green Finance, (Volume 2) 02 (Link)Souvannaseng, P., Plummer Braeckman, J., Markkanen, S. (2020). Mapping the evolving complexity of large hydropower project finance in low and lower-middle income countries. FutureDAMS Working Paper 007, (FutureDAMS Working Paper ) 07 (Link)
Book Chapters
Souvannaseng, P. (2021). Sino-African Hydropower Projects in Comparative Perspective In Jean-Francois Rousseau & Sabrina Habich-Sobiegalla, (Eds.) Hydropower in Southwest China: Drivers & Impacts. 255-264. Cham (Springer): Palgrave: International Political Economy Series (Link)Souvannaseng, P. (). Infrastructure Finance Regimes In Simon Creak, Holly High, Oliver Tappe, (Eds.) Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Laos. Routledge UK: Routledge Forthcoming.
Other(s)
Souvannaseng, P. (2022). ‘Evidence-based Policymaking’ or Epistemic Manufacturing? US-China Geopolitics, Politicized Water Scholarship and The Fight for Narrative Control Along the MekongWilson Center China Fellowship - 2022 Essays on China, (2022 Essays on China) Souvannaseng, P. (2020). US-Japanese Strategic Dissonance and Southeast Asian Infrastructure FinanceAsia Pacific Bulletin. 519 (Link)Presentations
Souvannaseng, P. (2023). “‘Phantom Projects, Intimate Extortion & Violent Enclaves: Financial “Ghosting” & Illicit Laundering at the Digital- Physical Infrastructure Nexus in Laos’ ” Presented at the AAS Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference 2023 Boston Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “Crypto by Fiat (Order): State-Sanctioned Mining at the Crypto-Hydro Nexus and Resource Mobilization at the Frontiers of Global Sovereign Debt in Lao PDR” Presented at the Development & Change Journal / ISS (Institute for Social Studies, Erasmus University) Development & Change Forum Workshop on Debt Crisis in the Majority World The Hague, Netherlands Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “Physical to Digital Transitions & Development Agendas in Contemporary Southeast Asia” Presented at the University of Cambridge / Newnham College University of Cambridge Margaret Anstee Centre for Global Studies Development Finance Reading Group Seminar - Guest Lecture Newnham College, Cambridge, UK Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “Reflections on the Mansfield-Luce 2022 Asia Study Tour & Policy Insights” Presented at the Mansfield Foundation Mansfield-Luce Symposium on Capitol Hill Washington DC Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “From Hydro to Crypto? Physical to Digital Transitions & Development Agendas in Contemporary Southeast Asia” Presented at the Southeast Asian League of Studies (JHU SAIS) Johns Hopkins University SAIS - SEALS Lecture Series Washington DC Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “ ‘Crypto by Fiat: State-Sanctioned Mining at the Crypto-Hydro Nexus and Resource Mobilization at the Frontiers of Global Sovereign Debt in Lao PDR’” Presented at the APSA Asia Program American Political Science Association Asia Publication Workshop Bangkok, Thailand Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “General Remarks” Presented at the Australia National University & Australian Embassy of Thailand Rupture: exploring interactive landscape transformations around Mekong hydropower projects Chiang Mai, Thailand Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “Regional Infrastructure, Development Finance & Mekong Sustainability - Cooperation & Climate Change Adaptation?” Presented at the Queensland University of Technology QUT Australia Awards: Water Diplomacy for a Resilient Mekong Hanoi (Remote) Souvannaseng, P. (2022). “From Contention to Complicity: Comparative Policy Shifts, Reversals, and Continuity in State-based Dam Building Policy in the Lower Mekong” Presented at the AAS Association for Asian Studies Annual Conference 2022: Panel on 'Change, Contestation and Hydropower Dam Development in the Lower Mekong River Basin' Honolulu Souvannaseng, P. (2021). “Laos-China railway: high speed, high risk, high rewards?” Presented at the Foreign Correspondent's Club of Thailand FCCT Live Panel: Lao Highspeed Railway- High Speed, High Risk, High Rewards? Bangkok / Virtual Souvannaseng, P. (2021). “Fast Finance: Who Gives a Dam? Disaster-by-Design & the Political Economy of Dam Failure in Lao PDR” Presented at the American Political Science Assocation APSA 2021 Seattle/Virtual Souvannaseng, P. (2021). “Post-Socialism the Mekong Way: Sino-Investment in the Clmv Countries ” Presented at the Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics SASE 2021 Amsterdam Souvannaseng, P. (2021). “Fast Finance: Who Gives a Dam? The US, Japan & China: Debating Hydropower Infrastructure Quality & Quantity Along the Mekong” Presented at the International Studies Association ISA2021 Las Vegas Souvannaseng, P. (2020). “Mekong Dam Monitor Launch” Presented at the Stimson Center - US State Department US State Dept - Stimson Center Mekong Dam Monitor Launch Washington DC (Virtual) Souvannaseng, P. (2020). “'China & Southeast Asia: Too Close for Comfort?'” Presented at the Chatham House Chatham House - AsiaSouvannaseng, P. (2020). “Southeast Asian National Responses to Covid-19” Presented at the ASEAS(UK) ASEASUK Webinar London / Southeast Asia (Global) Souvannaseng, P. (2020). “On Unequal Footing: Strategic Dissonance & Failures of Competition in Infrastructure Promotion” Presented at the East West Center Washington DC East West Center Washington DC Indo-Pacific Political Economy and Trade Virtual Seminar Washington DC (Virtual) Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Fast Finance: Who Gives a Dam? Perils and Pitfalls of Asymmetric South-South Finance” Presented at the London School of Economics LSE Inclusive Economies Seminar Series: Financialization, Development & Economic Inclusion London Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Sub-Regional Rivalry, Institutional Poaching & Parallel Governance Along the Mekong: From Liberal to Revisionist Institutionalism” Presented at the East West Center Washington DC East West Center Washington DC Indo-Pacific Political Economy and Trade Seminar Washington DC Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Searching for Patient Lending in an Impatient World: Infrastructure, Finance and the Illusion of Capital” Presented at the Johns Hopkins SAIS Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies African Studies Seminar Washington DC Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Institutional Poaching & Regional Subversion Along the Mekong” Presented at the APSA American Political Science Association Asian Workshop Penang Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Dams, Development & Fast Finance Along the Mekong” Presented at the Development Studies Association Dams, Development & Decision-Making: New Directions Open University, Milton Keynes Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Fast Finance: Who Gives a Dam? Hydro-energy Expansion & Environmental Governance in the Age of Post-DAC Competitive Capital” Presented at the AAG American Association of Geographers Annual Conference Washington DC Souvannaseng, P. (2019). “Infrastructure as Public Good or Portfolio Asset: Financing Development and Development Finance Along the Mekong and Ayeyarwaddy” Presented at the Columbia University / NYSEARN Columbia University SIPA / NY Southeast Asia Research Network Public Lecture New York City Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits
Post & Art Compilation: Retrospective - Jam-bor-ee, (2023).Service
Department Service
Committee Member for GLS Engagement Committee 2020 - PresentCommittee Member for GLS Hiring Committee 2021 - 2021Committee Member for Committee for GLS Statement on Anti-Racism 2020 - 2020University Service
Concentration Coordinator for Bentley Liberal Studies Major - Political Economy of Development Concentration 2020 - PresentCommittee Member for Faculty Affairs Committee 2023 - 2026Guest Speaker for Bentley International Film Festival - 2023Contributed input as faculty member for Bentley Office of Diversity and Inclusion - 2022Professional Service
Committee Member for Burmese Study Group - AAS 2022 - PresentConference/Workshop Organizer for Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics 2021 - PresentCommittee Member for Association for Southeast Asian Studies (UK) 2018 - PresentConference/Workshop Organizer for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Studies Group - Association for Asian Studies 2023 - 2028Editor (Associate), Journal for Asian Perspective 2020 - 2021Editor (Associate), Journal for International Journal of Comparative Sociology 2020 - 2021Panel Organizer for International Studies Association - 2021Reviewer, Journal Article for Development & Change - 2021Invited Lecture/Presentation for US Stimson Center - US Department of State - 2020Invited Lecture/Presentation for Chatham House Asia Pacific - 2020Invited Lecture/Presentation for Association for Southeast Asian Studies UK - 2020Invited Lecture/Presentation for East-West Center Washington DC - 2020Invited Lecture/Presentation for London School of Economics - Inclusive Economies Seminar Series - 2019Invited Lecture/Presentation for East West Center - Washington DC - 2019Invited Lecture/Presentation for Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) - 2019Reviewer, Journal Article for Development & Change - 2019Invited Lecture/Presentation for Columbia University - NY Southeast Asian Network - 2019
