Dr. Mira Kakonen

Assistant Professor

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Biography

Mira Kakonen is an ARC DECRA Fellow in the Resources, Environment & Development Group at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. She began her tenure at ANU as a lecturer in Global Development Studies after working for 15 years on research projects that explore the intersections of politics, environment, and development, with a particular emphasis on water resources governance in the Mekong Region of Southeast Asia. Her current DECRA project, 'Volatile Rivers Infrastructure Politics in the Mekong Region,' investigates the complex relationships between rivers, infrastructure, and power dynamics increasingly influenced by globalization and climate change. Kakonen is also a member of a Kone Foundation-funded research project focused on the political ecologies of repair in the global South, examining how communities living in extractive frontlines can reimagine and recreate their livelihoods in response to environmental challenges.

Research Interests

Experience

ARC DECRA Fellow

2024-01-15 — 2027-01-14

Australian National University • Canberra, ACT, Australia

Leading research on volatile rivers and infrastructure politics in the Mekong Region.

Lecturer

2009-01-01 — 2024-01-14

University of Helsinki • Helsinki, Finland

Conducted various research projects and taught courses related to Global Development Studies.

Requirements for Australian National University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.8
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:18
Reading
Required:18
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:18
Total
Required:80
PTE
Listening
Required:55
Reading
Required:55
Writing
Required:55
Speaking
Required:55
Overall
Required:64
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree or international equivalent Cognate discipline for some specializations
Application Checklist
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Proof of English Proficiency
  • Copy of Passport
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Purpose
Specialization Notes

Requirements are standardized across most Master of Science and Arts programs within the College of Science and College of Arts & Social Sciences.