In 2026 the Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA) celebrates its 50th anniversary. To mark this occasion, the ASAA Council and Executive Committee have launched several initiatives, including an oral history project, which is intended to highlight the contributions of people who have played significant roles in the life of the Association.
Participants will be asked about what Asian Studies means to them, and how and why they became involved in the field. The goal is to find out about the books, movies, people, and events that influenced their careers, their contributions to the field and to the ASAA (when relevant), and what they see as the future of Asian Studies.
It’s an attempt to map the past, present, and future of Asian Studies in Australia in its totality, so the intention is not to solely or wholly focus on the founding generation – although they are certainly part of the project. Similarly, it won’t be merely a history of former presidents of the Association, conference hosts, or editors of publications such as the journal or Asian Currents – as interesting as they are.
It’s as much about people who are partway through their careers as those who’ve had decades of experience, as well as those who are at the outset of their journeys. Finally, you will learn about people who study both the countries which have traditionally featured prominently in Asian Studies in Australia, such as Indonesia and China, as well those which get comparatively less coverage, such as Singapore and Myanmar.
Everyone will find something of value in the project. For aspiring and current academics, it’s an opportunity to learn more about how some of their colleagues have chosen and traversed pathways to academic and other careers in Asian Studies. For scholars outside of Asian Studies (and the wider community), the project provides a snapshot into the research and passions of Asianists. And for those in positions to shape and influence policymaking, it is a rare opportunity to hear first-hand how scholars in Asian Studies see the value of the field, the challenges that it faces, and what might collectively be done to safeguard its future.
In the introductory episode, the three organisers introduce themselves and discuss how and why they wanted to create this series. View the video below or at the ASAA’s youtube channel here.
