Cambodia knowledge sector

Ponlok Chomnes II | Results 2023-2025

Across government, Cambodian institutions are asking for research and inviting researchers into policy discussions. Think tanks, universities and civil society are responding with evidence that is more credible, more inclusive and easier to use, a partnership worth sustaining for Cambodiaʼs next stage of development.

Government demand for evidence is growing

• 41 government institutions engaged: 18 ministries, 18 subnational administrations and 5 public universities
• 18 institutions consulted or requested evidence from Cambodian research partners
• 17 policy issues with structured engagement between government and civil society through evidence-informed dialogue

Evidence is more credible and inclusive

• 23% → 65% of publications meet at least half of the gender equality, disability and
  social inclusion (GEDSI) criteria
• 18% → 31% of publications led by a woman first author
• 94% of assessed dialogues met the minimum standards of the Inclusive Dialogue Guidelines, launched with
  the Guidebook on Quality Research in 2025

A new generation of Cambodian researchers

• 72 young people supported: 30 undergraduates, 12 early-career and
  30 mid-career researchers
• 54% of Inclusive Policy Fellows from marginalised groups, including
  Indigenous, LGBTQIA+ and persons with disabilities
• 36 researchers supported through fellowships, mentoring and the SheThinks Network

Contributing evidence to government-led policy processes

Between 2023 and 2025, Cambodian research partners contributed research and inclusive dialogue to 11 government-led policy processes at national and subnational levels, across 10 policy areas, at the invitation of ministries, provincial authorities and commune councils:

• Rural development
• Education and skills
• Social protection and climate resilience
• Agriculture and the rice sector
• Commune climate budgeting
• National statistics
• Climate-resilient WASH
• Labour market and returning migrants
• MSMEs and industry
• Public administration and open data

Inclusive dialogue

• 63 dialogues (50 national, 13 subnational)
• 4,853 participants
• 41% of participants women
• Dialogues with women speakers 65% (41/63)
• Dialogues with speakers with disabilities 16% (10/63)
• Dialogues meeting inclusion standards 94% (34/36)

Women in research and leadership

• Women as first authors 31% (19/62)
• Women as speakers 37% (117/315)
• Women as participants 41% (1,982/4,853)
• The SheThinks Network connects women researchers across institutions through mentoring, research grants and policy dialogue.

Persons with disabilities

• 13 speakers
• 73 participants
• 4 facilitators
• 75% of dialogues in accessible venues
• Disability inclusion is our priority for improvement: persons with disabilities are 1.5% of participants. Braille materials, sign language interpretation and accessible venues are now standard at major events.

Evidence that reaches people

• 1.77M views of Future Forumʼs Khmer “Small Ideasˮ series
• 401K organic views on Facebook
• 67K Policy Pulse users
• 16 media articles in 8 national outlets
• Research web pages meeting accessibility criteria 46%
• Research in Khmer and accessible formats is reaching well beyond policy circles, through public lectures, videos and podcasts.

Looking ahead: what will sustain these gains toward 2030?

• Evidence for policy: Evidence requested and used as routine
• Financing knowledge: A diverse funding mix, including public-interest research
• Research workforce: Careers that attract and keep diverse talent
• Knowledge ecosystem: A Cambodian-owned platform linking research and government

Please click Ponlok Chomnes II | Results 2023-2025 to read more