Van Nguyen is the Director of the Center for Knowledge Co-creation and Development Research (CKC), an independent research organisation committed to advancing social research and community development in Vietnam. With nearly 15 years of professional experience, she has worked extensively in the fields of social assessment, poverty reduction, gender equality, energy transition, education, and inclusive community development.
Van has served as a technical consultant on numerous energy infrastructure and livelihood development projects across Vietnam and Lao PDR. Her work has focused on social, gender, human rights, and indigenous peoples impact assessments, as well as the design and implementation of social management plans that adhere to both international and national standards for social performance. Her strong connection with communities and deep understanding of social safeguards frameworks are key strengths in her practice.
Her academic and professional interests centre on knowledge co-creation, socially just transitions, and gender studies. She has conducted in-depth case studies on ethnic minority women, women’s empowerment, and community development practices that promote the rights and inclusion of disadvantaged groups, including women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities. Van’s work is grounded in a commitment to ethical research and sustained community engagement.
Van Nguyen will be speaking on day two of the conference in the breakout on Building resilient programmes through volunteering, where she will share a case study about how, the Center for Knowledge Co-creation and Development Research (CKC), a Vietnam-based research organisation, in collaboration with the Australian Volunteers Program, began a three-year participatory action research initiative to explore and strengthen organisational capacity.
