Charting Shared Futures: Policy, Culture, and Innovation in Malaysia, Singapore and the Region
24th MASSA Conference | 15–16 January 2026
HDR Workshop: 14 January 2026
Venue: Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
Deadline for abstract submission: 15 August 2025
Southeast Asia today is at a global crossroad. Comprising eleven nations of diverse economic, cultural and historical roots, and home to the growing ASEAN trading bloc, the region sits at the heart of rising global tensions between China and the West, with many member nations caught in the economic and geopolitical crossfire. Decades of peace, prosperity and free trade, with Malaysia and Singapore serving as the epicentres of trade routes for decades, have gradually given way to uncertainties and an increasingly fractured and contentious world order. Nations are increasingly asked to take sides in the emerging global conflict, while domestic shifts in politics and demographics continue to create greater uncertainty within and among Southeast Asian nations.
Yet, working with Southeast Asia cannot be established on purely economic and military terms. Nations like Australia that represent the West, who happen to call Southeast Asia their neighbour, are only just realising the need to engage with the history, culture and politics of a diverse, intricate and dynamic region. Southeast Asia presents a promising future for its family and its extended neighbours, but it is not a future to be taken for granted or extracted from. Considered introspection based on robust and in-depth research allows us to chart a way forward that respects the meaningful contribution of all nations. Appreciating this diverse region is now more crucial than ever, if the West seeks not just deals, but enduring partnerships based on understanding and trust.
Conference Overview
This multidisciplinary conference unites scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the evolving dynamics shaping Malaysia, Singapore, and the broader region. As Southeast Asia navigates global shifts—from climate change and technological disruption to questions of national identity and democratic engagement—this forum invites timely reflection and forward-looking dialogue that appreciates the significance and contribution of the region.
Co-hosted by the Malaysia and Singapore Society of Australia (MASSA) and the Indo-Pacific Research Centre and School of Media and Communication at Murdoch University, this conference will be held at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. It will feature paper presentations, panel discussions, and a dedicated HDR workshop exploring the intersection of policy, culture, and innovation. We warmly invite scholars and practitioners from Southeast Asia and Oceania with a strong research focus on the region, drawing on decades of collegial engagement and shared commitment to deepening mutual understanding. We invite papers that align with any of the following sub-themes with an area interest in Southeast Asia:
- Climate and Energy Policy
- Media, Participation and Democracy
- Education, Borders and Diplomacy
- History and Culture – Future Trajectories
- Innovation and Technology Policy
- Digital Futures and Smart Nations
Key Dates
- Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 August 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: 15 September 2025
- Full Paper Submission for Proceedings: 30 November 2025
- HDR Workshop: 14 January 2026
- Conference Dates: 15–16 January 2026
Submission Guidelines
We welcome individual paper proposals and HDR contributions that align with the conference theme and its sub-themes. Presentations will be 15 minutes long, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A.
- Abstract length: Up to 300 words
- Biography: 100-word author bio
- Session Chairing: Please indicate if you are willing to serve as a session chair.
Submit abstracts to: MASSAconference@outlook.com
