Francisco Kiko Bautista is a PhD researcher in politics and international studies at the School of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong. Previously, he received an M.Ed. in Adult Education (with distinction) from the University of Glasgow and an MA in Philippine Studies from UP Diliman. His research focuses on political economy, particularly the neoliberal ideas behind foreign aid and their impact on democratic practices in the Global South. Drawing mainly on social theory and ethnography, Kiko examines the everyday beliefs and “common-sense” understandings held by “men and women in the street,” exploring how these ideas can either reinforce or challenge existing power structures. He also conducts research in community education, with a special interest in how social movements foster dialogical learning to promote social and political change. His work has been published in Asian Politics & Policy and Progress in Development Studies. In addition, Kiko is also a writer and has contributed on Philippine culture and society for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Rappler.