Kieran Li Nair

Malaysian climate advocate and policy researcher

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

About

"Let the world we dream about be the one we live in now." - Hadestown Original Cast Recording Live As many early-career youth who precede and will succeed me, I'm enthusiastic about taking on complex challenges and opportunities to learn, driven by what I think of as hard work and passion (although often more accurately described as bullheadedness). I am currently on sabbatical pursuing a Masters in Environment, Politics and Development at SOAS University of London. In my professional life, I am involved in climate, environment and energy policy research, with a focus on international relations, ecological economics as well as equity and justice-oriented policymaking. I also engage in youth climate advocacy by advising a volunteer non-governmental organisation building capacity among young adults in climate diplomacy, governance and policy. Ultimately, my worldview has been shaped by my experience in civil society spaces, and in my current capacity I hope to use policy research in bridging the gap to a better Malaysia and a just world. If any of my work speaks to you, let's connect.

Experience

  • Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia ()
    • On sabbatical
      Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    • Senior Researcher
      Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Part of ISIS Malaysia's Climate, Environment and Energy team. https://isis.org.my/author/kieran

  • Malaysian Youth Delegation (5 yrs 7 mos)
    • Advisor
      Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

    • Co-Focal Point
      Jan 2023 - Sep 2025 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      *To be updated with 2024/2025 experience • Lead a team of seven working groups and 60-80 members alongside Co-Focal Point Lim Kai Sin, including spearheading a new organisational strategy to achieve MYD's goal of raising awareness on local and international climate policies as a lever for advocacy. • Lead and coordinate local, regional and international stakeholder engagements and collaborations. • Advisor for Malaysian Local Conference of Youth 2023-2024 and Steering Committee for Asia Pacific Regional Conference of Youth 2023. • Civil society organisation and youth representative at the Global Stocktake Regional Dialogue at Asia Pacific Climate Week 2023. • Official representative to COP28, tracking the Global Stocktake and Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) negotiation agendas. Moderated "Role of Youth in Climate Negotiations" panel session at Malaysian Pavilion. • Advisor and speaker for Post-COP28 Forum; co-author for Post-COP28 Report. • Coordinate organisational inputs for ministerial and civil society consultation engagements.

    • Operations & Technology Working Group Coordinator
      Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 · 1 yr

      • Independently coordinated a team of four to support the organisation's technical operations, including managing the floor for webinars, setting up livestreams, managing external communications via newsletter, handling administrative matters through the Registrar of Societies' platform, etc. • Supported the revamp of MYD's website. • Provided event support as the tech lead for the first-ever hybrid Malaysian Local Conference of Youth (#MYLCOY2022).

  • Head of Digital Marketing at United Nations Association Malaysia (UNAM)
    Jun 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

  • Communications Lead at Malaysian CSO-SDG Alliance
    Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 · 2 yrs

  • Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA) (1 yr 3 mos)
    • Communications Officer
      Mar 2024 - Dec 2024 · 10 mos

    • Social Media Manager
      Oct 2023 - Feb 2024 · 5 mos