About
Su Mon Thazin Aung
Researcher • Educator • Southeast Asia Analyst
Hello, I’m Su
I’m a researcher and educator working at the intersection of political science and policy studies. I’ve spent over a decade studying regime transitions and governance dynamics, focusing on elite politics, core executive studies, territorial self-governance and state-society relations, primarily in Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
Why Machine Learning Now?
For over 16 years, I’ve been using mostly qualitative data to explore real-world issues and coach new researchers. But I’ve felt something is missing.I wanted more: new ways to work with data without losing the heart of social science.
That curiosity brought me to machine learning. Not to become a computer scientist, but to stretch how I think and what I can do with data. This site captures that journey — the learning, the stumbles, and everything in between. If you’re exploring machine learning a bit later in life too, welcome.
What I do
- Research governance, disasters, and social resilience
- Teach public policy, Southeast Asian politics and social research
- Learn and apply machine learning in conflict settings
- Collaborate with scholars, civil society, and policy leaders
Mentorship-as-dialogue
I don’t see mentorship as a one-way street. Every time I work with young people, especially those with lived experience of conflict or injustice, I learn just as much as I teach. My hope is to build spaces where they can grow without fear, and imagine futures they’ve never been told are possible. As part of that, I’m planning to integrate the new skills I’ve acquired — particularly in data and technology — into accessible, community-based curricula for young people who have limited access to cutting-edge learning opportunities.
A Little About My Personal Life
When I’m not deep in research or teaching, I turn to painting mostly oil and acrylic. It’s something I do quietly, at my own pace, to slow down and make sense of things that words can’t always capture. I also spend time volunteering in the communities I’ve stayed connected to. Whether it’s sharing what I know or learning alongside others, these moments keep me grounded in why I do the work I do.
Let’s Connect
I’m always open to collaboration, mentorship, or just thoughtful conversation.