Sean Turnell is an author, economist and former policy advisor who, in 2021, was falsely imprisoned in Myanmar for 650 days.

With a passion for economic development, Sean has dedicated his career to promoting sustainable growth and policy reform in Southeast Asia. His expertise led him to serve as a key economic policy advisor to Myanmar’s State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Sean’s life turned upside down following the Myanmar military coup in February 2021, when he was jailed as a political prisoner at the infamous Insein Prison.

Despite being subject to brutal physical and psychological conditions, Sean recalls the humanity of the people around him. Through the compassion of his fellow political prisoners, his supporters back home, and the escapism offered through reading, Sean managed to find the light within the dark.

Today, Sean is also a Senior Fellow in the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, covering developments in Myanmar, the wider region, and international economic issues.

His book, An Unlikely Prisoner, tells the story of how a mild-mannered economics professor was able to survive a notorious Myanmar prison and leave with his love for the people of Myanmar intact.