Research@CAS
MISSION STATEMENT
In CAS we explore how human behavior, technology, and culture interact to shape our world – and how we can guide that change toward a better future.
RESEARCH PILLARS
Evidence-based insights for development, policy, and societal transformation
Economics research at the College of Arts and Sciences combines rigorous analytical methods with a strong commitment to real-world impact. With Vietnam as a dynamic context of rapid growth and transformation, our research engages directly with the economic challenges and opportunities shaping emerging economies in Asia and beyond.
Bringing together expertise in development economics, public policy, urban and transport economics, and applied empirical research, our faculty integrate global academic training with hands-on policy and industry experience. This enables research that bridges theory and practice while remaining grounded in real policy environments.
Current areas of focus include economic reform in Vietnam; transport and urban systems (including electric vehicles, land use, and environmental policy); productivity and technology adoption; gender equity; and the role of firms and institutions in shaping economic outcomes. Vietnam’s ongoing transformation provides a unique lens through which to examine broader questions of growth, sustainability, and inclusion.
Through this work, CAS economists contribute to evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development, supporting inclusive growth in Vietnam while generating insights relevant to emerging economies worldwide.
Key questions we explore:
· How can Vietnam’s economic transformation inform models of inclusive and sustainable development?
· What role do technology, infrastructure, and institutions play in shaping the future of emerging economies?
Media, AI, and the future of communication
Multimedia research at the College of Arts and Science examines how media, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies are transforming the ways people create, share, and experience ideas, identities, and stories. In a rapidly evolving media landscape shaped by platforms, data, and automation, our work explores both the possibilities and the societal implications of these transformations.
Our faculty and students investigate how AI is reshaping content creation, communication, and audience engagement—from algorithmic curation and generative media to immersive and interactive environments. At the same time, we examine the broader social dynamics of digital media, including platform governance, digital labour, public communication, and the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Key areas of focus include platform studies, AI-driven media production, digital labour, public relations, and immersive media. By combining critical analysis with creative and applied approaches, our research advances new forms of storytelling and communication while addressing questions of responsibility, trust, and human agency.
Multimedia research at VinUniversity prepares students not only to navigate an AI-enabled media environment, but to shape it—designing communication that is innovative, ethical, and socially impactful.
Key questions we explore:
· How is AI transforming creativity, communication, and the production of meaning?
· What does ethical and responsible media design look like in an AI-driven world?
Understanding cultures, societies, and global change
Global Studies research at the College of Arts and Sciences brings together scholars across the social sciences and humanities to address the complex challenges shaping our world today. Drawing on disciplines such as International Relations, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Anthropology, and Asian Studies, our research is deeply interdisciplinary and globally engaged.
We examine critical issues including regional governance and global politics, ASEAN development, intangible heritage and social transformation, Vietnamese history, the ethics of emerging technologies, and comparative religion. Our work connects local realities with global processes, offering nuanced perspectives on identity, culture, and power in a rapidly changing world.
By integrating scholarship across disciplines, Global Studies at VinUniversity contributes to informed policy debates and fosters more inclusive, sustainable, and culturally grounded futures.
Key questions we explore:
· How are identities, cultures, and societies reshaped in an era of globalization and technological change?
· How can Vietnam and ASEAN navigate global transformations while preserving cultural heritage and social cohesion?
Understanding minds, behaviour, and wellbeing in a complex world
Psychology research in the College of Arts and Science explores how and why people think, feel, and act—from the inner workings of the brain to the social environments that shape behaviour, health, and wellbeing. Using rigorous scientific methods, including experiments, randomized trials, observations, and interviews, our researchers generate insights grounded in real-world complexity.
Working across disciplines such as economics, neuroscience, sociology, and computer science, our psychology team addresses pressing challenges in mental health, education, and decision-making. Their work informs evidence-based policy and practice, contributing to healthier, more resilient, and more effective societies.
At VinUniversity, psychology research spans areas such as workplace wellbeing, body image, misinformation, and behavioural decision-making. Through global collaborations and industry partnerships, our researchers ensure that their findings translate into meaningful impact in education, policy, and community life.
Key questions we explore:
· How do social environments and digital media shape behaviour and mental health?
· What drives human decision-making in uncertain and rapidly changing contexts?
VINUNIVERSITY UNESCO CHAIR
CAS Faculty pursues research in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
Our research areas are highly interdisciplinary and include the study of aging populations, ethics and AI, philosophy of science, Vietnamese history and culture, geopolitics, human behavior, economics and sustainability, innovative and disruptive media, as well as linguistics and ethnic minorities. An area of particular focus is human and bio-cultural heritage under the leadership of our UNESCO Chair
As part of that we actively engage in digital humanities blending new technologies such as VR with more traditional approaches to cultural conservation. Please check our individual profiles for more information.
Student Research@CAS
The CAS Student Research Grant offers students in the CAS major programs (Multimedia Communications, Psychology, Economics) funding to conduct their own research project, supervised by CAS faculty members. Through this scheme, students have the opportunity to gain their first experiences of managing and running research projects while being mentored by world-class faculty. Projects take place during the academic year and/or during the summer session and can span from 3 to 12 months.
Requirement: The Principal Investigator (PI) needs to be at least in their second year of studies and be currently enrolled in one of the CAS major programs. First-year students and students of other colleges can be members of the research group.
Prerequisite: Research methods and research ethics training is mandatory (either as part of a curriculum course or training from the project faculty supervisor).
Rationale: For students, the opportunity to engage in experiential learning is greatly beneficial. The College of Arts and Sciences encourages students to apply for this program for a post-graduation competitive advantage.
Visit the links below to learn more about application guidelines and research fund usage:
