Cambodian native Soksamphoas Im, a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science, was selected for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Doctoral Fellowship during the 2019–2020 year. The fellowship provides a $20,000 award toward her dissertation on the emergence of Cambodia’s new national aging policy, which focuses on elderly rights and economic opportunities.
“Being selected as an AAUW award recipient is an honor and privilege as the fellowship allows me not only to continue my PhD program but also help me to accomplish my dissertation project in a timely manner. I hope to inspire other female graduate students at UH Mānoa to apply for AAUW distinguish fellowship,” said Im.
In the future, Im hopes to work toward policies that protect the needs of all vulnerable populations, such as older persons, disabled persons, children and low-income families.
“This award will allow Im to do important and unprecedented fieldwork such as interviewing local and global policy makers and activists that are working to improve rights and protections for Cambodia’s aging population,” said Katharina Heyer, associate professor in UH Mānoa’s department of political science.
