Published on May 26, 2026 – Updated on May 26, 2026
Chanrithy Lao recently completed a research visit to the School of Geography, Earth, and Atmospheric Science at the University of Melbourne, hosted by Associate Professor Brian Cook. This stay is part of her PhD research within the ECOTERM project, a research program co-conducted by iEES Paris, CERDI, and IRD. Sébastien Marchand, Martine Audibert, and Pascal Jouquet supervise and guide her research on the impact of ecological services in Cambodia.

During her visiting, Chanrithy had the opportunity to engage with the NextGen research team and learn from the ACIAR-funded project “Farmer Decision-Making”, which explores how smallholder farmers navigate their social relations as they make decisions about their farming practices in rural Cambodia. They put strong emphasis on their knowledge, participation, and farmer-led pathways for agricultural changes. 

Chanrithy’s doctoral work focuses on the role of local ecological resources in shaping agricultural practices and rural livelihoods. Combining econometric analysis, field surveys, and participatory approaches with farmers, the research examines how ecosystem services associated with termite mound ecosystems interact with agricultural production, biodiversity conservation, health, and farmer practices within broader processes of rural change. The visit also offered valuable opportunities to further reflect on farmer decision-making and on how agrarian change, environmental sustainability, and rural development are linked.

During her stay, Chanrithy presented findings from fieldwork conducted in Cambodia and exchanged ideas with Brian Cook and his colleagues, helping to refine ongoing analyses and open new avenues for future collaboration.

She is now back in Cambodia to lead a workshop with farmers on sustainable farming practices.

More information on the NextGen project.