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Leading the way to effective forest governance: Introducing Explore's new Program Advisory Committee Chair and Program Manager

Explore welcomes Dr. Siti Kusujiarti as the new Chair of the Program Advisory Committee and Dr. Hao 'Hope' Zhuang as Program Manager. Their combined expertise will enhance research, community engagement and environmental governance in Southeast Asia.
From left: Dr. Siti Kusujiarti, Explore’s new Chair of the Program Advisory Committee and Dr. Hao 'Hope' Zhuang, Explore’s Program Manager
From left: Dr. Siti Kusujiarti, Explore’s new Chair of the Program Advisory Committee and Dr. Hao 'Hope' Zhuang, Explore’s Program Manager

Dr. Siti Kusujiarti, Chair of Sociology and Anthropology at Warren Wilson College, has been elected as the Chair for the Program Advisory Committee of the Explore program. In this role, she will guide strategic decision-making and governance until 2025. The Program Advisory Committee, comprising professionals from various organizations, plays a pivotal role in shaping the program's development. As the policy-making body of Explore, the Committee supervises grant approvals, assesses project effectiveness, actively engages the Explore National Advisory Committees and ensures alignment with the program's objectives.

Dr. Kusujiarti brings a wealth of experience in interdisciplinary research, focusing on gender relations, disaster and climate change across Southeast Asia. Her influential work, spanning several decades, explores the complex connections between social sciences and environmental concerns, providing a solid foundation for guiding Explore towards impactful governance.

Complementing Dr. Kusujiarti's leadership is Dr. Hao 'Hope' Zhuang, who will assume the role of Explore’s Program Manager. Dr. Zhuang brings a wealth of expertise in environmental governance research, further reinforcing Explore's commitment to fostering sustainable practices in the region. Her academic journey, including a Ph.D. in Natural Resources and the Environment from Cornell University, reflects her dedication to studying environmental governance dynamics, civil society organizations and private enforcement of environmental laws in China and the US context.

Together, Dr. Kusujiarti and Dr. Zhuang bring expertise and visionary leadership to Explore, propelling its mission to enhance research capacities, foster community engagement and drive impactful environmental governance across Southeast Asia.

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About Explore

Explore is a research network and community of practice dedicated to expanding and applying knowledge on forest landscape governance in Southeast Asia. It is the only research network in the world focused on forest landscape governance.  

Launched in October 2020, Explore is funded by Sida. The network is hosted by RECOFTC, in partnership with the CIFOR-ICRAF, in collaboration with universities, research institutes, governments, civil society organizations, local communities, and the private sector in Southeast Asia.