From hashtags to honours: Tracy’s path to the ANU University Medal
What do online hashtags, inflatable ducks, grassroots protests, and milk tea have in common? For Tracy, they’re all threads in the tapestry of her remarkable academic journey.
This ANU graduate has turned a life shaped by the Asia-Pacific region into groundbreaking research on social movements, gender equity, and regional dynamics—and now, a University Medal.
Living the Asia-Pacific experience
For Tracy, the Asia Pacific isn’t just a region—it’s a lived experience. Born in Thailand, with family ties in Vietnam and academic stints in Korea and Myanmar, she has been immersed in its cultures and complexities from an early age.
Her academic curiosity took shape during an internship with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, where she analysed digital movements such as the Milk Tea Alliance and Thailand’s 2020-21 protests. "I became captivated by the patterns and trends emerging across the region," she reflects. Her insights culminated in a live interview with BBC World News and commentary in The Guardian, igniting a passion for research that drove her back to academia.
When it came to deepen her expertise, Tracy chose the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific (CAP) for its world-class faculty, interdisciplinary approach, and unparalleled access to regional expertise. The Master of Asian and Pacific Studies stood out to her because of its flexibility, research-driven curriculum and the opportunity to engage with leading scholars in the field.
At CAP, she found a stimulating intellectual home, particularly in the ANU School of Culture, History and Language (CHL), where she explored the intersection of culture, history, and contemporary challenges facing the region. There she also found opportunities to dive deeper into the issues she cared about.
A highlight of her time at ANU was Associate Professor Shameem Black’s course, Cultural Creativity and Research in Asia and the Pacific.
“For my final project, I explored how Vietnamese diasporic communities in Australia use food to reconnect with their homeland,” she explains. Her grandmother’s spring roll recipe became the centrepiece of a deeply personal presentation, showing how culture and research intertwine.
Her master’s thesis, supervised by Dr. Matthew Galway, tackled a subject close to her heart: the role of patriarchal institutions in perpetuating gendered violence and resistance in Thailand. "The struggle for gender justice in Thailand is still largely underexplored, particularly in English," she says. "I can only hope my research honours the resilience of those advocating for change."
Confidence, achievements and the road ahead
Winning the ANU University Medal is a testament to Tracy’s hard work and resilience. Awarded to a select few students each year, the medal recognises exceptional academic performance, including a consistently high GPA and an outstanding thesis.
"I used to be terrified of raising my hand in class," she admits. Years of professional experience helped her build the confidence to excel academically.
“It feels incredibly surreal to receive this honour, especially for someone who continued working full time while pursuing their degree,” she says. “Of course, none of this would have been possible without my incredible support network—winning a university medal is a collective endeavour.”
A career highlight came when her paper written during her first semester for Professor Matt Tomlinson's Approaching Asia and the Pacific: Concepts, Tools, and Methods course was accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Justice in Southeast Asia Lab. She presented the paper, on Thailand’s online hashtag activism, to esteemed scholars like Dr Tyrell Haberkorn and Dr Thongchai Winichakul, whose research had been a continual source of inspiration throughout her studies.
“It was a starstruck moment for me,” she recalls.
Outside her studies, Tracy is on a personal mission to visit 30 countries before turning 30—and she’s already 24 down, with New Zealand, Greece, and Turkey next on the list. Back in Canberra, you might spot her sipping a strawberry matcha in Braddon or dancing to the latest K-pop hits.
Her advice to future students? “Explore different perspectives and disciplines until you find one that speaks to your heart. And when you find that niche, let it guide you towards making a positive difference in the world, no matter how big or small.”
Tracy is already making an impact, working in the Southeast Asian space where she applies her research skills and linguistic expertise to regional issues. While she insists a PhD is off the table for now, she’s leaving the door open for the future: “Who can say what the future holds?”
Her journey doesn’t end here. With her passion for making a difference, the future holds many exciting opportunities. Her University Medal is just the beginning of what’s sure to be an inspiring path ahead.
Want to follow in Tracy’s footsteps? Discover how the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies at ANU can help you unlock new opportunities in research, policy, and regional engagement. Learn more about this program here.
