Supa-at Asarath
Senior Social Science Researcher and Engagement Coordinator
- MORU Safeguarding Lead
Supa-at (Ice) Asarath is a Senior Social Science Researcher and Engagement Coordinator with the Bioethics and Engagement Department at the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Bangkok, Thailand. His work focuses on ethics and community engagement in health research with under-served populations, including migrants, young people and communities living along the Thai–Myanmar border. He is particularly interested in how research is experienced by participants and community members, and how their perspectives can inform the ethical design, conduct of health research studies.
Since joining MORU in 2018, Ice has contributed to and co-led a range of qualitative and engagement studies. These include the Melioidosis Vaccines Attitudes (MeVa) study on vaccine hesitancy, acceptance and perceptions of clinical trial participation; the evaluation of the Tak Community Advisory Board (T-CAB); and initiatives to embed community perspectives in MORU’s health research priority setting. He has extensive experience working with school students and youth groups and employs qualitative, participatory and visual methods to support meaningful involvement of communities in research.
Ice serves as MORU’s Safeguarding Lead and Area Safety Officer, providing guidance on safeguarding, vulnerability and power relations in researcher - community interactions, and supporting teams to work to ethical and safety standards. He also co-organises Pint of Science Thailand and has a role in the development and review of media, exhibitions and video materials, with a focus on clear, accessible, and context-sensitive communication of research.