Asia House Fellowship
The Asia House Fellows for 2024-2025, Bahtiar Rifai and Catherine Setiawan will focus on the deployment of AI in Southeast Asia, addressing the region’s challenges in leveraging AI-driven technologies.
The fellows bring a wealth of experience in policy work at both national and multilateral levels to the fellowship. Their expertise will be pivotal in developing strategies to improve the region’s AI preparedness and drive competitiveness on the global stage.

AI readiness for government
Bahtiar’s research will focus on the acceleration of AI adoption in the public sector and its role in improving the quality of public services.
Bahtiar, who completed his PhD in Regional Economics from the University of Birmingham in 2020, will be based in Jakarta throughout the duration of his fellowship. He brings extensive research experience gained through his role as the Head of Research Group for Knowledge-Based Economy at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).

Data regimes in ASEAN
Catherine will explore the ethics of AI and its implications for international trade, focusing on the case study of Southeast Asia.
Catherine’s project will bring together her vast experience and deep knowledge of emerging technologies and policy frameworks at the multilateral level. This research is timely given the recent endorsement of the ASEAN Guide on AI Ethics and Governance in February 2024 and the ongoing negotiations of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which ASEAN aims to conclude by the end of 2025.
Applications are open for 2025/26
A unique opportunity to join the global conversation
The Asia House Fellowship Programme aims to develop the next generation of business and policy leaders. The Fellowships offer a unique 12-month opportunity for two postgraduate candidates who share Asia House’s vision for a strong and dynamic relationship between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
The Fellows will each conduct a major research project on the issues driving change across Asia and the Middle East. Their research will be published and distributed by Asia House to its wide network of senior business and policy figures and will inform the Asia House programme of engagement with global leaders.
Research topics
Applications are invited for original research which will drive forward the debate shaping global trade. The research will ideally fall under one of the following broad categories:
• Geopolitics and trade
• Technology and data
• Energy and sustainability
Benefits and Eligibility
The Fellowships offer a 12-month opportunity to focus on a large piece of research that will be distributed among Asia House’s international network of leading figures from government, trade, business, and technology – including our founding stakeholders: HSBC, Standard Chartered and Prudential.
Fellows will receive research support, a mentorship scheme and leadership advice, alongside the opportunity to be part of Asia House’s renowned business and policy programme and build professional contacts across our network. Fellows will also receive a stipend of circa £24,000.
The Fellowship is open to all nationalities, with the roles expected to be remote. To be eligible, candidates must:
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.
• Have a completed Masters and/or PhD by October 2025.
• Be self-driven and enthusiastic, with leadership potential.
• Have a keen interest and knowledge of economic/political/commercial issues affecting Asia and/or the Middle East.
How to apply
Applications are open for 2025/26
More information can be found by downloading our Asia House Fellowship Programme Brochure below.