Research Tender: Cultural Policy in Southeast Asian Cities

About the Open Call

World Cities Culture Forum and the British Council are commissioning a researcher (individual or team) to produce a high-quality report on cultural policy in five Southeast Asian cities: Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, and Metro Manila. The study will: Build a deeper understanding of the cultural policy landscape across the region. Highlight Southeast Asian leadership and best practice in culture-led approaches to sustainable urban development. Strengthen World Cities Culture Forum’s presence in Southeast Asia and foster long-term collaborations between cities in the region and the global network. The final report will feature a trends overview, detailed city profiles with case studies, expert interviews, and strong visual storytelling. It will be launched in 2026 at British Council activities marking the 5th anniversary of UK’s Dialogue Partnership to ASEAN and at the World Cities Culture Summit. We are looking for: Proven expertise in urban and/or cultural policy, with professional experience in Southeast Asia. Strong track record producing accessible, visually engaging research for policy audiences. Excellent communication skills in English (regional language skills desirable).

What is Offered

GBP £12,000 (inclusive of all fees, taxes, expenses)

Requirements

Proven expertise in urban and/or cultural policy, with professional experience in Southeast Asia. Strong track record producing accessible, visually engaging research for policy audiences. Excellent communication skills in English (regional language skills desirable). The call-out is for a researcher or a team to cover all five cities. Fluency in at least one of the major languages represented among the five cities (e.g. Bahasa Indonesia, Thai, Vietnamese, Malay, or Filipino/Tagalog) is desirable for the research purpose.

How to Apply

Please apply via our online form: https://form.jotform.com/252333436896364