Ms Soytavanh Mienmany

Soytavanh started working in sustainable natural resources management and rural livelihoods in 2008 as a government officer in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in Laos and has been associated with many research projects focused on integrated transboundary natural resources management and community livelihoods.

Soytavanh’s postdoctoral work, undertaken primarily an independent consultant, focuses on analysing food and fibre production systems, value chains and associated livelihoods, as the basis for policy and practice interventions to strengthen sustainability, resilience, and livelihoods. A parallel body of work evaluates project impacts at household, community and policy levels. She has conducted this work with Australian and international research and development partners, and reported and communicated outcomes in diverse forms and modes.

Soytavanh’s public service and research experience has required strategic engagement with ACIAR project leaders and teams, universities, and peak bodies, national and international organisations.

Sustainable natural resources management and rural livelihood transformation in the Lower Mekong Region and other countries in Southeast Asia 

Doctor of Philosophy, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University (2022);Thesis topic: Riding the boom: Rural households’ participation and livelihood outcomes associated with teak, banana and cassava crops in Northern Laos. 

Master of Science and Technology, Agronomy and AgroFood Program, Institute of the Tropical Regions, SupAgro, Montpellier, France (2013); Thesis topic:  Agriculture beyond the oil palm development, Participatory Prospective Analysis, Bungo district, Jambi province, Indonesia. 

Bachelor of Environmental Sciences, Centre for Environment and Development Studies, National University of Laos, Vientiane (2008); Thesis topic: Watershed management and rural upland household livelihoods in Pakbeng District, Oudomxay Province, Laos.