Myanmar Research & Analysis Network (MRAN)
Official Publisher of The Myanmar Analysis Journal (MAJ)
The Myanmar Research & Analysis Network (MRAN) is an independent, non-profit research association officially registered in Norway (Organisation Number: 937731329). MRAN serves as the institutional hub and official publisher of The Myanmar Analysis Journal (MAJ).
Our core mission is to promote, support, and disseminate evidence-based social science research, geopolitical documentation, and strategic analysis concerning the contemporary socio-political, economic, and security dynamics of Myanmar. By bridging field insights with rigorous academic frameworks, MRAN provides a secure, objective platform for researchers, independent scholars, and analysts dedicated to regional studies.
As a network founded on academic integrity, MRAN is dedicated to fostering independent analysis, protecting research ethics, and preserving knowledge that contributes to a deeper understanding of Myanmar’s shifting governance and social landscape.
Bylaws & Core Mandate
The internal operations, ethical governance, and structural integrity of the Myanmar Research & Analysis Network (MRAN) are governed by our official charter, adjusted and adopted at the foundation meeting on April 26, 2026. Below is an overview of the core legal and operational pillars that define our network:
Institutional Framework
Legal Entity: MRAN is established as a self-owned, independent, non-profit legal entity registered in Norway.
Limited Liability: The association operates with non-personal and limited liability for debt; no members or board members can be held personally responsible or liable for the association's obligations.
Financial Integrity: All organizational funds are used exclusively to promote our research mandates. Any financial surplus generated from Article Processing Charges (APC), public grants, or private donations is strictly reinvested into active research operations and the maintenance of the journal. The fiscal year follows the calendar year standard.
Organizational Governance
The Board: Daily operations, financial management, and ultimate editorial oversight of The Myanmar Analysis Journal (MAJ) are managed by a governing board of between 3 and 9 members elected for staggered two-year terms. The board achieves a quorum when more than half of its active members are present.
The Annual Meeting: Held by the end of March each year with a minimum of two weeks' advance notice, the Annual Meeting serves as the highest authority of the network to review annual reports, approve accounts, vote on submitted proposals, and elect board members and the chairperson.
Charter Stability: Amendments to these organisational bylaws or decisions regarding the potential future dissolution of the network require a strict 2/3 majority vote among attending members at an annual or extraordinary meeting. Upon dissolution, all remaining assets and archives must fall to a designated non-profit entity or an organisation focused on human rights or Southeast Asian research.
Ethical Standards & Membership Rights
In accordance with § 4 and § 9 of the MRAN Bylaws, membership remains restricted to individuals actively aligned with our objective research mission. The board retains the formal authority to establish entry tiers and to exclude any individual whose professional conduct acts in direct conflict with the network's ethical principles or protective security guidelines. Furthermore, no organisational funds or remaining assets will ever fall or be distributed to individual members.
Download the official MRAN Bylaws in Norwegian (PDF)
Download the English translation of the official MRAN Bylaws (PDF)
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Membership Framework
We welcome applications from established scholars, independent analysts, sub-national governance researchers, and postgraduate students who share our commitment to academic integrity and objective documentation.
1. Core Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for membership in MRAN, an applicant must satisfy at least one of the following academic or professional profiles, while explicitly agreeing to the network's ethical and security protocols:
Holds an advanced academic degree (Master's, Ph.D., or professional equivalent) in the social sciences, humanities, international law, public policy, or a related discipline.
Is an active researcher, policy analyst, or independent scholar with a documented track record of work focusing on Myanmar’s socio-political, security, economic, or governance landscape.
Is a postgraduate student currently pursuing verified research directly related to Myanmar or Southeast Asian regional studies.
2. Defined Membership Categories
Applicants must select the tier that best matches their current professional standing and research experience:
Membership Tier
Senior Fellow: Established academics, senior analysts, and senior researchers with extensive publication histories or long-term institutional experience in Myanmar studies.
Associate Researcher: Active researchers, journalists, sub-national governance analysts, and independent field scholars actively contributing regular insights to the discipline.
Research Student: Current Master's or Ph.D. candidates focusing their graduate thesis or dissertation research on Myanmar-related issues.
3. Review and Admission Process
In alignment with § 4 of the MRAN Bylaws, all applications are treated with absolute confidentiality.
Submission: Applicants must complete the formal online application form, providing verifiable academic profiles, publication records, or relevant institutional backgrounds.
Vetting: The MRAN Board reviews submissions against the eligibility criteria to ensure research alignment, academic integrity, and organisational security.
Notification: The Board typically processes applications within 7 to 14 business days. Approved members are officially registered under their designated membership tier.
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Membership Application Form
Privacy & Security Notice
Given the sensitive nature of researching contemporary security, governance, and human rights conditions, MRAN prioritizing the safety and confidentiality of its network. All data submitted through this application is stored securely within our encrypted organizational infrastructure and will be accessed exclusively by the MRAN Board for vetting purposes. Membership registries are strictly confidential and will never be shared publicly or with external entities without your explicit, written consent.
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