The Roles of Academics in Environmental Struggles Along the Mekong: Engaged Scholarship Under Political Restriction

ABSTRACT Academics in the Mekong region play a crucial role in producing research that supports environmental movements, challenges dominant models of development, and informs policy discussions. However, our ability to conduct research on environmental issues is constrained by government restrictions, institutional barriers, and shifting political climates. This article synthesises discussions from a recent collaborative workshop that examined the roles of academics in environmental struggles along the Mekong. We examine the political and institutional constraints facing academics, the strategies used to navigate these challenges, and the possibilities for protecting and expanding academic roles in environmental struggles.