Doing Research in Myanmar: Country Report

Abstract

Research findings are critical for debate, policy formulation and developing comprehensive national priorities. While research and development continue to garner political interest in Myanmar – reflected in R&D national funding commitments – research funding is primarily allocated to ‘hard sciences’ and technical research. As in other developing countries, the instrumentality of social sciences is often neglected and overlooked by the government and its partners in their pursuit of national development objectives and specific policy goals. This is exacerbated by financial constraints and the immensity and range of development priorities that encompass a large variety of thematic areas and timescales. As a result, social science is low down on the list of priorities on the research agenda. In addition, political ideology and popular persuasion often supersede the use of research evidence and data analytics in policymaking. Amid such a paradigm, development agencies and international actors play an important role in assisting Myanmar in navigating its political trade-offs and achieving the desired national developmental goals. Social research is critical helping in navigating these complexities.