Mahidol-York Interdisciplinary Living Research Excellence Center

University of York, United Kingdom

12 months

October 2023

This proposed collaboration would build and strengthen capacity in environmental health monitoring and assessment across institutions and all stages of science. By creating and delivering a collaboratively designed experiment, the research communities will share and develop skills, practical experience, and knowledge. This will form the basis for longterm interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complexities of pollution and waste management, addressing the governance and legal dimensions of waste management, and social attitudes towards waste and pollution. The international collaboration will allow Mahidol and York colleagues to address the local and global complexities of waste, water, food and energy, and the needs and interests of different stakeholders. Mahidol colleagues will be trained in metabolomics analyses, genomics assays and non-targeted analysis, and draw on the experience of UK waste management. This collaboration addresses a significant knowledge deficit through non-targeted screening of pollutants from landfill leachate and the environmental, public health and social impacts of its contamination in agricultural areas in order to identify appropriate public policy interventions. This work will inform global sustainable agricultural concerns, considering issues surrounding water, agriculture, and toxic substances. Academic exchange activities will be initiated and implemented throughout the project.

1. Develop Mahidol-York Interdisciplinary Research Excellence Center
2. Establish a core of landfill emerging pollutants and waste management researchers across York and Mahidol for knowledge exchange, experimental design and execution, and future collaborations.
3. Establish an interdisciplinary network to address the complexities of waste management and identify appropriate public policy interventions.
4. Exchange knowledge between scholars from the University of York and Mahidol University, including young researchers and graduate and undergraduate students.

Mahidol University
School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus (MUKA)

a. The University of York

1) Department of Environmental and Geography
2) Department of Biology
3) York Environmental Sustainability Institute

b. Mahidol University

1) Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Salaya Campus
2) Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Phayathai Campus
3) Department of Public Health Administration, Faculty of Public Health, Phayathai Campus
4) Department of biology, Faculty of Science, Phayathai Campus
5) Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR)
6) Nakornsawan Campus (MUNA)
7) Amnat Charoen Campus (MUAM)

Obtaining research funding is crucial for continuing the collaboration and advancing scientific knowledge, innovation, and societal progress. The focus of this collaborative network is to strengthen science and translate to policy and practice. This will require collaboration with national and international organizations. The link between researchers and international organizations is crucial for fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and addressing global challenges. By experiences and networks of the leader of this project (Jutamas Kaewsuk) and York side (Richard Friend), we plan to bring international organizations on board in this network. This partnership will facilitate sharing resources, funding, and expertise, enabling researchers to contribute effectively to the global scientific community. By leveraging the connection with international organizations, researchers can enhance their impact, influence policies, and collaborate on a global scale.

With the current collaborative project funded by Worldwide University Network, the team is planning to hold an international science to policy workshop in collaboration with international organizations, such as Asian Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (AECEN) and United Nation (UN) agencies, to distribute the findings and increase the visibility of both institutions. It also exposes researchers to a wider audience,
facilitates networking opportunities, and enhances their professional reputation. This recognition will open doors to further collaborations and funding opportunities.

Apart from international organizations, the collaboration between the two institutions has already been reached to researchers from several universities across the globe, such as Arava Institute for Environmental Studies from Israel, Institute of Policy and Management (IPAM), VNU Hanoi, University of Social Sciences and Humanities from Vietnam, University of Yamanashi from Japan and a research institute from South Africa. The first webinar was conducted on June 9, 2023, to allow researchers from these countries to exchange experiences and ideas and seek opportunities to propose funding together in the near future.

To find potential funding, we have received help from the Office of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni, the University of York to seek out available funding for the
network. The potential funding sources would be;

• Coca Cola
• Mitsubishi
• Gate Foundation
• Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF)
• The Wellcome Trust.

Securing additional funding for research projects is an essential goal for this network, as it enables us to expand our work, pursue new avenues of inquiry, and enhance the impact of our findings. With all of what we have built, we are confident that we will get significant funding in the future.

Jutamas Kaewsuk, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus

The University of York

• Richard M. Friend, Department of Environmental and Geography
• Brett Sallach, Department of Environmental and Geography
• Kelly Robert Redeker, Department of Biology
• James P. J. Chong, Department of Biology

Mahidol University

• Arika Bridhikitti, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Netiya Karaket, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Nitima Sutapin, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Watchara Chintakovid, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Kittipong Somchat, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Suphatchai Rujakom, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Suphat Prasopsin, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Kanchanaburi Campus
• Achara Ussawarujikulchai, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Salaya Campus
• Chanida Lertpitakpong, Department of Public Health Administration, Faculty of Public Health, Phayathai Campus
• Tawach Prechthai, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Phayathai Campus
• Jiraphan Junjhon, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Public Health, Phayathai Campus
• Sarunya Sujaritpong, Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR), Salaya Campus
• Marc Voelker, Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR), Salaya Campus
• Watinee Suntara, Amnat Charoen Campus
• Suphawadee Panthumas, Amnat Charoen Campus
• Aroon La-Up, Nakornsawan Campus (MUNA)
• Denpong Wongwichit, Nakornsawan Campus (MUNA)
• Taweesak Chooma, Nakornsawan Campus (MUNA)
• Kulaporn Boonyaves, Department of biology, Faculty of Science, Phayathai Campus