World Cities Culture Forum and the British Council are commissioning a researcher, either an individual or a team, to produce a report on cultural policy in five Southeast Asian cities: Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, and Metro Manila.
The project aims to deepen understanding of the cultural policy landscape in the region, highlight leadership and best practice in culture-led approaches to sustainable urban development, and strengthen long-term collaboration between Southeast Asian cities and the wider World Cities Culture Forum network. The final report will include trends analysis, city profiles, case studies, expert interviews, and visual storytelling. It will be launched in 2026 at British Council events marking the UK’s Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN and at the World Cities Culture Summit.
The opportunity supports high-quality research that is policy focused and accessible, encouraging applications from those with proven expertise in urban and/or cultural policy and professional experience in Southeast Asia. Applicants should demonstrate strong research and communication skills in English, with regional language ability desirable.
The research is scheduled to begin in December 2025.
Eligibility is open to individuals or teams with relevant expertise; applicants must be able to cover all five cities.
The commission offers a fee of 12,000 GBP, inclusive of all fees, taxes, and expenses. A report designer will be provided by the organisers, and the researcher will be expected to collaborate to ensure the publication is consistent and accurate.
