136-word bionote:
“Nassef Manabilang Adiong served as head of a policy research office of the Bangsamoro Parliament and is the founder of four academic networks, including the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO). His work examines policy issues affecting Bangsamoro society while advancing decolonial knowledge production from the Global South and interdisciplinary engagement between Islam and International Relations. Since 2012, he has established one academic journal and five book series, in addition to publishing edited books, journal articles, policy papers, book chapters, discussion papers, encyclopedic essays, and reference entries. Dr. Adiong has received more than twenty-three distinctions, among them the Noam Chomsky Global Connections Emerging Scholar Award, a Philippine Senate resolution and BTA-BARMM legislative resolution of commendation, the UP Scientist conferment, the UP Centennial Professorial Chair Award, the Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) honor, and the PUP Professorial Chairholder Award.”
A Detailed Profile of Dr. Nassef Manabilang Adiong
Dr. Nassef Manabilang Adiong presents a distinguished profile that brings together scholarly accomplishment, institutional leadership, policy engagement, and sustained field-building in a notably coherent way. The strength of his record lies not only in its breadth, but also in the clarity of its intellectual and professional direction: across research, teaching, publishing, and public service, he has developed a sustained agenda at the intersection of international relations, Islam, decolonial thought, and Bangsamoro governance.
A notable feature of his career is his ability to move between academic inquiry and practical governance with equal credibility. As a scholar with a substantial body of books, edited volumes, policy papers, and invited lectures, and as a senior public servant in the policy research office of a regional government placed him at the center of legislative and institutional work, he has developed a profile of unusual depth. This dual grounding enables him to connect theoretical work to governance and public policy in ways that are both intellectually serious and practically consequential.
Major professional identity: academic leadership fused with public service
A defining feature of Dr. Adiong’s career is his move into senior institutional and policy leadership in the Bangsamoro government while sustaining an active academic and publishing profile. Since 2021, he has served as tenured Director of Policy Research and Legal Services in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, with permanent civil service status and reappointment under the Bangsamoro Parliament in 2025. He has also held roles in key BARMM governance bodies, including the Regional Statistics Committee, the Spatial Development Framework Planning Committee, the Research and Development Council, and the Bangsamoro Parliament’s Project Management Team.
This government-facing leadership is reinforced by his advisory and consultancy work. He has served institutions such as the Department of Health, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, the National Security Council, DFAT Palladium’s Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao, the Development Academy of the Philippines, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil Relations Service. Collectively, these roles center on governance, security, education, and policy design rather than narrow academic specialization.
Taken together, this profile presents Nassef as working simultaneously in state-building, research infrastructure, legislative support, and public intellectual life in the Bangsamoro region and beyond.
A career defined by institution-building and network creation
A major feature of his career is his role in founding and building organizations rather than simply participating in them. He has established or helped lead intellectual and professional platforms such as the Bangsamoro Research and Legal Network (BRLN), the Decolonial Studies Research Network (DSRN), the UP CIDS Decolonial Studies Program, the Philippine International Studies Organization (PHISO), and the International Relations and Islamic Studies Research Cohort (Co-IRIS).
This record reflects more than a list of positions; it presents him as a builder of fields and scholarly conversations. That impression is reinforced by his elected roles in the International Studies Association’s Asia Pacific Region, the World International Studies Committee, and the ISA Global South Caucus. Taken together, these activities indicate influence through network-building, conference convening, editorial leadership, and intellectual agenda-setting, particularly in non-Western and decolonial international studies.
Core intellectual agenda: Islam, international relations, decoloniality, and Bangsamoro governance
Dr. Adiong’s scholarly profile is distinguished by both the clarity of its niche and the significance of its contribution. He has contributed to important conversations on Islam and international relations, non-Western and decolonial knowledge production, and Bangsamoro political thought and policy. His work reflects a sustained and coherent intellectual agenda, visible not only in his publications but also in his editorial, institutional, and public-facing activities. Several recurring questions provide the conceptual center of this body of work:
- how Islam relates to international relations theory;
- how Muslim political thought intersects with sovereignty, territoriality, and governance;
- how decolonial approaches can reshape international studies and legislation;
- how these theoretical issues play out concretely in the Bangsamoro context.
This coherence is especially evident in the trajectory of his books and edited volumes. Titles such as International Relations and Islam: Diverse Perspectives, Islam and International Relations: Contributions to Theory and Practice, Islam in International Relations: Politics and Paradigms, and International Studies in the Philippines: Mapping New Frontiers in Theory and Practice indicate both subject-matter depth and field-building ambition. The 2022 Philippine edition of the latter, with added materials including a new foreword, translation, COVID-19 essay, and chapter on the West Philippine Sea, suggests an effort to localize and expand international studies discourse for Philippine audiences. That book was also a finalist for the 41st National Book Awards in Social Science.
His work on Islam and international relations, non-Western theory, and international studies in the Philippines reflects both subject-matter depth and a clear field-building orientation. At the level of articles and chapters, recurring themes include Muslim governance, Salafi orthodoxy in the Bangsamoro, decolonizing religion, decolonial legislation, Indigenous peoples’ rights, decentralization, and gender-responsive climate security. The scholarship is therefore both conceptually serious and consistently attentive to questions of public significance. In other words, Dr. Adiong’s works are not purely abstract; it repeatedly turns theoretical frameworks into policy-relevant analysis.
Strong emphasis on policy relevance and applied research
Dr. Adiong’s research portfolio shows a sustained emphasis on funded, policy-oriented work closely tied to public issues in BARMM. His commissioned projects address the UNESCO Memory of the World inscription for the Peace Accords between the Philippines and the Bangsamoro, gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive climate security mechanisms, climate adaptation strategies, madrasah education policy, Muslim governance and Salafi orthodoxy, and Islamic approaches to International Relations. Several projects are supported by substantial grants, including a more than 1M policy analysis grant on madrasah education.
This practical orientation extends into his professional service. He has reviewed legislation on amendments to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act, the proposed Bangsamoro Gender and Development Code, and the IPRA law for a Senate committee. These roles show direct involvement in shaping policy instruments rather than commenting on them from a distance. Recurring themes such as moral governance, policy development, legislative drafting, gender-responsive legislation, local governance, peacebuilding, and research-to-policy translation underscore a consistent pattern: his work turns scholarly expertise into legislative and administrative practice.
Significant editorial and publishing influence
A notable feature of Dr. Adiong’s profile is the breadth of his editorial work. He has served as founding chief editor of several book series and a journal, including the Islam and Global Studies and Islam in Southeast Asia series with Palgrave Macmillan/Springer, the International Relations in Southeast Asia series with Routledge, and the International Journal of Islam in Asia with Brill.
These roles reflect both professional trust and recognized influence in the field. His service as a reviewer and editorial-board member for journals and publishers such as Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, SAGE, Routledge, and Palgrave Macmillan/Springer suggests that he contributes not only as a scholar, but also as a participant in shaping the broader conversations in international studies, religion, and related fields.
Teaching and mentorship are broad, sustained, and interdisciplinary
Dr. Adiong’s academic record also shows a long and varied teaching experiences ranging from professorial lecturer to associate professor across major Philippine institutions, including UP Diliman, PUP Manila, Miriam College, San Beda University, Development Academy of the Philippines, FEU, among others, with an additional offered but declined post in Universiti Brunei Darussalam.
His teaching portfolio mirrors his research range. Courses span global and regional governance, policy analysis, advanced research methodology, local government and regional administration, Philippine foreign policy, security issues in Asia Pacific, post-conflict reconstruction, Muslim governance, Islamic political thought, history of Islam, relations of Muslims and non-Muslims, and specialized offerings on Turkish culture, Islam in Europe, and the Philippines in the Global South.
This breadth suggests a scholar comfortable moving among theory, area studies, public administration, peacebuilding, and religion, and the thesis supervision list reinforces that range through topics on public value, moral governance, political participation, disasters, e-government, separatism, and religion-state authority.
Education and international formation
His formal training is rooted in international studies and international relations, culminating in a PhD in International Relations from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, following a Master in International Studies from UP Diliman and a BA in International Studies from the University of the East.
His scholastic record also shows extensive international academic exposure through certificates, fellowships, summer schools, grants, and scholarships in Turkey, the UK, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Denmark, the United States, Malaysia, Russia, and elsewhere. Of particular note are the Chevening Fellowship at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, the SUSI fellowship on religious pluralism at Temple University, and long-term Turkish and Erasmus-related support during doctoral study.
This formation helps explain the comparative and transregional dimensions of his scholarship, particularly his sustained engagement with Middle Eastern and Islamicate contexts.
Recognition, public engagement, and professional standing
The record of honors and recognitions further supports the strength of Dr. Adiong’s professional standing. Distinctions such as UP Scientist III, the A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Award, the UP International Publication Award, and other national recognitions in international relations indicate that his work has received meaningful acknowledgment from both academic and public institutions. Together with his invited lectures, keynote addresses, and extensive conference participation, these distinctions reinforce the impression of a scholar with established credibility, growing influence, and substantial public visibility.
Taken as a whole, Dr. Nassef Manabilang Adiong presents a highly accomplished and distinctive record that integrates scholarly productivity, editorial leadership, institution-building, teaching, and direct policy engagement. His career reflects a sustained intellectual agenda at the intersection of international relations, Islam, decolonial thought, and Bangsamoro governance. Particularly notable is the degree to which these elements are mutually reinforcing: his scholarship is rigorous, institutionally relevant, and demonstrably connected to public and policy concerns. Dr. Adiong’s recognitions attest to the value of scholarly distinction combined with leadership and impact beyond the halls of a university.
Commendations
“Having worked closely under his leadership in the Policy Research and Legal Services (PRLS) of the Bangsamoro Parliament, I witnessed Dr. Adiong’s exceptional ability as an academic leader and institution-builder. He combines intellectual vision with practical execution, building strong systems, teams, and a research culture. Under his directorship, PRLS became a credible policy research institution supporting legislation, governance reform, and evidence-based policymaking in the Bangsamoro government. Dr. Adiong also encouraged innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration, while strengthening staff development and expanding the office’s academic and policy networks. His leadership consistently bridged academia, policymaking, and community engagement through scholarship, public service, and social relevance.” – Chief Vincent L. Casil, Supervising Legislative Staff Officer II, Bangsamoro Parliament’s PRLS Legislative Research Division
“Dr. Adiong is a distinguished scholar and institution-builder with recognized expertise in Global South international relations, decolonial studies, and Islamic political thought. His strong publication record, leadership in international research networks, and editorial roles reflect both academic depth and global engagement. He has also shown exceptional ability to translate scholarship into policy impact, lead complex initiatives, and build sustainable academic communities. I saw these strengths firsthand in a UNESCO-affiliated project under the International Centre for Documentary Heritage in South Korea, where he led stakeholder consultations and the drafting of nomination materials. His leadership was instrumental in the successful submission that led to the inscription of the Peace Agreements between the Government of the Philippines and the Bangsamoro in the Memory of the World National Register—a significant contribution to documentary preservation, peacebuilding, and international cooperation.” – Dr. Junsu Seo, Senior Programme Specialist at UNESCO International Centre for Documentary Heritage & Researcher at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
“Dr. Adiong is a leading Global South scholar of International Relations in Southeast Asia. His work in international relations, Islamic political thought, decolonial theory, governance, and Bangsamoro studies reflects intellectual rigor, methodological range, and a sustained commitment to Global South perspectives. His strong publication record has earned international recognition and positioned him as an important voice in the decoloniality of IR. In his parliamentary role, he applies scholarly insight to legislation, institutional design, and capacity-building. He is also a dedicated teacher, with strong evaluations across leading institutions and a consistent record of mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds.” – Dr. Melanie Reyes, former Chairperson of Miriam College’s Department of International Studies, Executive Director of Women and Gender Institute, and President of Women’s and Gender Studies Association of the Philippines
“Dr. Adiong has built a distinguished body of work grounded in sustained engagement with the Global South, particularly Southwest and Southeast Asia. His scholarship has advanced decolonial approaches in International Relations, especially in theorizing Islam, pluriversalism, and worlding, while shaping a clear intellectual agenda. He has also turned these commitments into lasting institutional impact through program development, curriculum design, and the creation of scholarly platforms, including the University of the Philippines’ Decolonial Studies Program and PHISO. Beyond academe, he has worked effectively across academic and policy spheres, including public service in BARMM, where he bridged theory and practice with inclusive and context-sensitive leadership. Nassef leads with calm, patience, and deliberation—qualities that inspire trust and sustain collaboration.” – Dr. Frances Antoinette Cruz, Assistant Professor, Department of European Languages, University of the Philippines Diliman & Deputy Director of the UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies
“Dr. Adiong’s career has been marked by sustained recognition across institutions, reflecting a body of work that has earned the respect of peers well beyond any single academic home. His scholarship is notable not only for its substance, but also for its contribution to the intellectual and institutional conditions that enable further scholarship. Equally significant is his commitment to teaching and mentorship, grounded in a clear sense of accountability to students and to the broader mission of education. He takes seriously the question of whose knowledge counts and whose experience informs theory. His organizational initiatives likewise deserve emphasis: they reflect not merely administrative competence, but the capacity to identify institutional gaps, build durable structures, and sustain them over time.” – Prof. Lorna Q. Israel, Chair, Miriam College’s Department of International Development, Innovation, and Sustainability
“Dr. Adiong is a scholar of distinguished accomplishment, an accomplished academic administrator, and a proven institution-builder whose career embodies sustained excellence in mission-driven higher education. Over more than two decades, he has demonstrated distinction in teaching, research, curriculum development, and institutional leadership. His interdisciplinary scholarship has earned international recognition, while his work as founding chief editor of five scholarly book series and an international journal reflects both intellectual authority and a profound commitment to advancing knowledge production in underrepresented regions. He has likewise founded four enduring organizations and provided leadership to academic programs across diverse institutional settings. Above all, his work is guided by an unwavering commitment to the Bangsamoro people, to decolonial knowledge production, and to elevating Global South voices within international academic discourse.” – Dr. Rizal G. Buendia, Independent political analyst and consultant in Southeast Asian Politics and Governance based in Wales, UK
“Dr. Adiong combines scholarly distinction with pluralistic intellectual range, inclusive institutional leadership, and a clear sense of mission. His editorial appointments with journals published by Oxford University Press, SAGE, and Brill reflect the strength of his international standing. Beyond the classroom, he has shown exceptional leadership where he leads research that informs legislation and engages government ministries and international institutions. He has also held elected roles in global professional associations as well as founded Philippine-based research networks. These are not ceremonial distinctions, but proof of his capacity to build institutions and lead with purpose. He is also a dedicated teacher and mentor who has advanced decolonial approaches to International Studies and brought Islamic perspectives into mainstream IR discourse, amplifying Global South voices.” – Dr. Rommel A. Curaming, Senior Assistant Professor, History and International Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
“Dr. Adiong is a distinguished scholar whose pioneering work on decolonial methodology and the intersection of International Relations and Islam. A multi-awarded academic and public servant, Dr Adiong has built a strong record of research excellence, with major publications and editorial leadership across Routledge, Palgrave Macmillan, and Brill. He has also shown a strong capacity to teach, mentor, and build academic programmes across institutions. His work has earned major recognition, including designation as UP Scientist III, TOYM honors in International Relations, and formal commendation from the Bangsamoro Parliament. Dr. Adiong is an exceptional scholar of rigor, range, and public impact.” – Atty. Archill Niña F. Capistrano, Assistant Professor for Political Science, University of the Philippines Cebu
“Dr. Adiong’s work is distinguished by rigor, integrity, and intellectual clarity. Bringing a strong Global South perspective to International Relations, he challenges mainstream frameworks by centering overlooked voices, including indigenous traditions. His scholarship is analytically sharp, historically grounded, and closely attuned to Islamic civilization and contemporary global realities. As a teacher and institution-builder, he fosters critical inquiry, open dialogue, and meaningful academic collaboration. In both scholarship and service, he is a committed and exemplary academic citizen.” – Erickson D. Calata, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
“I met Dr. Adiong in 2018, beginning a sustained scholarly collaboration through which he introduced me to Global South and decolonial approaches that have shaped my academic work. He went on to create the country’s first Decolonial Studies Program, build scholarly communities around decoloniality and Global South knowledge production, and, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, demonstrate how effectively he links scholarship to institutional practice. Our collaborations on Indigenous rights, Bangsamoro governance, policy briefs, book chapters, and The Contemporary World showed his ability to mentor junior scholars, build serious collective scholarship, and produce work of public relevance. With doctoral training in International Relations and civilisation studies, and National Research Council of the Philippines funding for research on foreign aid in the Bangsamoro, Dr. Adiong combines rigorous scholarship, institutional leadership, and policy impact.” – Kebart P. Licayan, PhD Candidate, Department of Political and Social Change, Australian National University
To download his CV, click here. Send him an email at contact@nassef.info.
Nassef Manabilang Adiong, PhD 
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