On June 20th, 2023, the Postgraduate Student Liaisons of the Asian Studies Association of Australia and the Japanese Studies Association of Australia organized an online networking event for postgraduate students in Japanese and Asian Studies. The event, named ‘Building Bridges,’ aimed to foster new connections and research collaborations among postgraduate students in the field. With 26 registered participants and 16 attendees, the event showcased the diverse backgrounds and disciplines represented, including political science, history, and cultural studies. Guest speakers Associate Professor David Hundt and Dr. Laura Emily Clark shared valuable insights on academic networking, emphasizing the importance of professional communication and area-specific connections. Participants engaged in breakout room discussions focused on disciplines of study and candidature stages, sharing resources, discussing research methodologies, and offering support. The event successfully achieved its goal of building connections and providing valuable insights for postgraduate researchers in Asian Studies.

– Jorien van Beukering & Soyeon Kim, ASAA Postgrad Representatives