Professor emerita Dr. Barbara Watson Andaya has received the Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies award from the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), a leading international organization dedicated to advancing research and teaching on Asia. She was awarded this honor at the AAS 2026 Conference held in Vancouver, Canada.
Dr. Andaya is widely known for her work on early modern Southeast Asia. Over the course of her career, her research has significantly influenced how historians interpret the region’s history and cultural development. She regularly engages with students in the Department of Asian Studies who research Southeast Asia, and her guidance is highly regarded and sought after by students. Students also adore her exquisite fashion sense, as she is never seen without a head-to-toe matching outfit, often incorporating various Southeast Asian designs and textile traditions, such as hand-woven silks.
Below are some words from the AAS as to why they selected Dr. Andaya to receive the "Distinguished Contributions to Asian Studies" award this year:
"Barbara Watson Andaya’s scholarship is breathtaking in both depth and breadth. Through her prolific publications—including definitive volumes on Southeast Asian and Malaysian history, as well as pioneering studies on gender and religion—she has reshaped how scholars and students engage with the region. Just as important has been her teaching and mentorship, through which she has trained and inspired generations of scholars who now carry her influence into classrooms and institutions worldwide."
Dr. Andaya's award was also reported on in the UH News, with her fellow UHM professors offering comment on her achievements:
“Professor Barbara Andaya has been a true academic treasure to UH Mānoa during her career, and we are absolutely delighted to see her hard work and devotion recognized by our international association,” said Miriam Stark, director of the UH Mānoa Center for Southeast Asian Studies.