Hsu Htet is completing her PhD on a topic that is close to both her heart and heritage. Her whole life was turned upside down when she was forced to flee Myanmar during the 2021 political coup.
She says, alongside other students and academics, she participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement in opposition to the military takeover. Because of this, continuing her studies under those circumstances became impossible. Leaving Myanmar, and fleeing to Thailand, was not part of her plan. However, this drastic change reshaped her academic interests.
Hsu Htet began a Master of Research program in Thailand on a full scholarship, determined to continue learning despite uncertainty.
“Studying in exile deepened my understanding that law is never abstract. It is lived. It determines who feels safe, who is heard, and whose knowledge is recognised.”
Inspiration for her PhD
Now, at ANU Law School, she is working on her PhD. Using her lived experience, while remaining true to her cultural heritage, her research centres around the control and protection of cultural knowledge.
Hsu explains that in contexts like Myanmar, where armed conflict and displacement disrupt cultural transmission, questions of who controls traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and sacred sites become urgent rather than theoretical.
“Growing up in Myanmar also meant growing up surrounded by rich cultural traditions from many ethnic communities. Yet I witnessed how these identities often struggled for recognition within centralised legal and political frameworks. Those tensions profoundly shaped my intellectual journey. They made me ask: Who has the authority to govern culture? Who decides what knowledge is protected? Whose voices are reflected in law? What motivates me today is not only academic curiosity, but responsibility.”
Who has the right to control and protect cultural knowledge?
It is because of this, at its core, Hsu’s PhD thesis asks the simple but urgent question: who has the right to control and protect cultural knowledge? She explains that many intellectual property laws are built around individual creators, limited time periods, and commercial markets. However, Indigenous cultural knowledge is often collective, intergenerational, and spiritually significant.
“My research examines how Myanmar’s legal system can better protect this type of knowledge, especially during ongoing conflict and political transition. This research matters because cultural heritage is not only about the past — it shapes identity, dignity, and survival” she says.
“When communities lose control over their cultural knowledge, they risk losing authority over their own future.”
ANU Law School experience
Since starting at ANU Law School, Hsu has embedded herself in the community here. “I am grateful to be part of a community at ANU that values critical thinking, diversity of perspectives, and meaningful scholarship. For me, studying law is not simply about understanding rules: it is about exploring how systems of authority can evolve toward greater justice,” she says.
Hsu is not just a student, but also a familiar face as a tutor and marker. She says that for her, teaching clarifies her thinking and sharpens analytical skills. She’s also an integral part in student leadership, serving as the HDR Student Representative and is involved in student leadership through the Myanmar Research Centre and the ANU Myanmar Students' Association.
“These roles have reminded me that a PhD journey is not only about individual research; it is also about supporting peers, contributing to institutional dialogue, and building community,” she explains.
Once she finishes her PhD, she’s hoping to have an impact both in both an academia and policy-making. “I am interested in pursuing a career that allows me to teach, conduct research, and contribute to international and domestic legal reform initiatives. My goal is to contribute to legal scholarship while also participating in real-world institutional design.”
Advice for students considering PhD
A PhD is not for the faint of heart; it is a grueling and long journey. Because of this, Hsu has some advice for students who are considering undertaking the program.
“Choose a research question that genuinely unsettles or excites you; something you can live with for several years.”
She explains how a PhD is not only an academic journey but also a personal one, especially for students coming from complex political contexts. The research can feel deeply intertwined with identity and responsibility.
A PhD is an investment, and she says that because of this, intrinsic motivation matters. She aptly notes that there will be moments of doubt and intellectual uncertainty, so your topic needs to be meaningful enough to sustain you through those phases.
Broaden your scope
It is also important not to get bogged down in a narrow research focus. Hsu recommends attending seminars beyond your immediate field and engaging in conversations across disciplines. Through this you will find that some of the most valuable insights emerge from unexpected discussions, whether in workshops, conferences, or informal academic gatherings.
She also strongly encourages students to step beyond the thesis itself and engage in opportunities that develop communication, leadership, and teaching skills.
“A PhD is not only about producing a thesis. It is about becoming a scholar, a communicator, and a responsible member of an intellectual community.”
Competitions like the ANU Three Minute Thesis (3MT) are incredibly valuable. “I was fortunate to be a runner-up at the College level and finalist at University level in the 2025 competition, and the experience was transformative. It pushed me to distil complex research into a clear and compelling narrative, and it strengthened my confidence in presenting my work to broader audiences.”
Finally, trust that developing your scholarly voice takes time. It is a gradual process, but a deeply transformative one.
Ready to take your research further? Learn more about the ANU Law School PhD program.