Tanya explains how she came to Asian Studies by happenstance after a visit to India. After attending university as a mature-age student, she became an expert about development in India. Tanya looks to Asia – especially India and Indonesia – to generate new theories (especially of power) and applies them outside of Asia. Tanya first became involved in the ASAA through the 2016 conference and enjoys the Association’s collegiality (e.g., by organising the Women in Asia conference and being South Asia Editor for Asian Studies Review). She has also been involved in the Development Studies Association (e.g., as President) but encourages her students to acquire regional expertise. Tanya notes how there are fewer Australian experts on Asia now, but conversely there are more experts from the region itself who are excellent collaborators for Australian scholars of Asian Studies.

Watch Tanya’s interview below or on the ASAA’s youtube channel here. See the other interviews in the series here.