Prof. Ronahlee A. Asuncion

Prof. Ronahlee A. Asuncion, PhD

Dr. Melisa R. Serrano is a Full Professor and the twice-appointed Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR), beginning her second term on February 26, 2026. A dedicated scholar-practitioner, she holds a PhD in Labour Studies from the University of Milan, dual Master’s degrees in Industrial Relations from UP Diliman and Labour Policies and Globalization from the University of Kassel/Berlin School of Economics and Law, and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Throughout her tenure, which followed roles as Director of the Center for Labor Justice and the Center for Labor and Grassroots Initiatives, Dr. Serrano has championed a four-pillar strategy focusing on academic excellence, policy-oriented research, worker empowerment, and administrative modernization. Her leadership is marked by significant internationalization efforts, including initiating SOLAIR’s membership in the Global Labour University (GLU) network and spearheading the ENGAGE Asia training program. A multi-awarded academic, she has received several One UP and UPD Centennial Professorial Chair Awards, reflecting her expertise in global supply chains, trade union transformation, and labor justice.

Core Areas of Expertise

Industrial Relations & National Development: Analyzing the role of labor relations in shaping national economic growth and development policies.
Global Supply Chains: Specialized research on labor subordination, discrimination, and building worker unity within global value chains, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trade Union Transformation: Expertise in the evolution of labor movements, focused on empowering grassroots initiatives and modernizing union strategies.
Labor Policy & Globalization: High-level analysis of how global economic shifts affect domestic labor markets and the implementation of "Decent Work" standards.
Human Resource Management (National Level): Teaching and developing frameworks for human resources from a macro-policy perspective rather than just corporate management.
Labor Justice & Grassroots Initiatives: Practical and academic leadership in social justice for workers, centered on democratization and the humanization of work.
International Labor Education: Extensive experience in cross-border pedagogy through the Global Labour University (GLU) and international visiting lectureships.

Academic & Professional Milestones

Education: PhD in Labour Studies (Milan); MA in Labour Policies & Globalization (Germany); MIR (UP Diliman).

Key Research: Global Supply Chains, Trade Unions in Transformation, and Labor Justice.

Leadership: Two-term Dean of UP SOLAIR; Director of the Center for Labor Justice.

Recognition: Multi-year recipient of the One UP Professorial Chair and UPD Centennial Faculty Grants.

Publications:

Serrano, Melisa R.; Viajar, Verna Dinah Q. (2022) "Transformative strategies towards gender equality in trade unions : a handbook

Serrano, Melisa R. & Castillo; Rolly Czar Joseph, (2021) "Economic & Social Rights in Philippines Monitor"

Serrano, Melisa R. & Castillo; Rolly Czar Joseph, "Chapter 16. Solidarity on multiple scales: repression in the Philippines. In Calire Cerruti (ed.) Labour Organising under Authoritarian Regimes". Baden-Baden Germany: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, pp. 103-112.

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