The smartvote Tibet project team:

• Dr. Sonam Palmo Brunner is a political scientist and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Zurich. Her research focuses on democracy, governance, mobilization, identity, and transnational dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the Tibetan diaspora. Trained as a registered nurse, she has also led public health research projects and complements her academic work with active engagement in community initiatives that promote inclusion and civic participation.

• Yeshi Deuss-Ngingthatshang graduated from the University of Zurich with an MA in Social and Business Psychology. She worked as an HR specialist in Telecom and eCommerce before she started her PhD studies in management at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, where she’s currently researching distrust between organizations.

• Dechen Pemba is a UK born Tibetan and graduated from University College London with a degree in English and German Literature. After several years working as a lobbyist and campaigner on Tibet in Berlin, she lived in Beijing for two years from 2006-2008. Since completing a Masters in Chinese Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Dechen has been based in London and is the editor of High Peaks Pure Earth, a website that offers translations, news, and commentary from Tibetan cyberspace and social media. Dechen also serves as a researcher and consultant on Tibet-related issues.

• Tenzin Tsedoen graduated from the University of Zurich with a Master of Arts in Political Science and from the University of Essex with an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law. Her professional experience includes human rights advisory roles and project leadership in the field of the right to health, in the prevention of torture, as well as research and policy consultancy on human rights and statelessness. She has extensive experience in legal research, human rights monitoring, and working directly with people in vulnerable human rights situations.

• Tenzin Sewo is a political scientist who formerly served as a close aide to the Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is currently the Executive Director of the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama, based in Switzerland. Before dedicating himself fully to the Tibetan cause, he worked in the web services division of the Swiss Stock Exchange and, alongside his professional work, served as President of the Tibetan Youth Association in Europe.

• Dondup Shelkar studied Design at the University of the Arts in Zurich. He co-founded a company, led design for a Fortune 500 company and is now building privacy-focussed products at Proton.

• Tenzin Namdak studied Economics and is currently working as an Application Analyst at Citi bank Switzerland.

• Chemi Lhamo is a community organizer with a decade of experience in campaigns and communications strategy. Currently on the leadership council of the World Liberty Congress, she advocates for freedom. She was formerly the Campaigns Director at SFT International and a 2024 Freedom Fellow of the Human Rights Foundation.

• Tenzin Woeden graduated with a Bachelors degree in Journalism from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. Currently pursuing her masters in Political Science, she is also freelancing as a stringer for Agence France Presse. She also has an experience of working at Voice of America Tibetan Service.

• Lodoe Choezom graduated from JSS College of Pharmacy with a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Science. She has worked as a Senior Project Executive in a healthcare market research firm in Bangalore and is currently working as a part time Research Assistant on a human rights project focused on addressing violence against women in Indian communities.

Members of the Advisory Board of smartvote Tibet:

• Choenyi Woeser: Editor of the Tibetan Newspaper “Bangchen” (Tibet Express).

• Jamyang Phuntsok: Tibetan screenwriter and filmmaker. He is also the co-host of the Tibetan language podcast Khyeltam and the co-founder of the Tibetan language and literature circle Wasur.

• Geshe Lhakdor: Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamshala. Former English translator of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and co-author of several books on Tibetan Buddhism.

• Dr. Namri Dagyab: Economist, who wrote his PhD about 'Monastery Economics' at the University of Bonn in Germany and is a former entrepreneur. As an accomplished product management expert, he combines his professional experience with his long-time dedicated engagement for the Tibetan cause. This includes serving on the boards of the International Campaign for Tibet and the Tibet House Cultural Foundation, and amplifying Tibetan voices as host of his English-language podcast OUT OF TIBET.

• Tenzin Wangdak Gadhong: Former journalist at “Voice of Tibet”.

• Dr. Tenzin Wangmo: Professor at the Institute for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Basel, Switzerland

• Dr. Tsering Wangmo Dhompa: Associate Professor in the English Department at Villanova University, USA. First Tibetan poetess to be published in English.