SPAS Graduate Conference 2022: Call for Abstracts

“Technologies and Adaptations: Celebrating Innovations in Human Knowledge Across Asia”

The School of Pacific and Asian Studies (SPAS) and the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) welcome proposals for papers, performances, and panels for the 33rd annual Asian Studies Graduate Student Conference. The conference will be held on Zoom in synchronous webinar format on April 6-7, 2022. 

We are proud to present the theme Technologies and Adaptations: Celebrating Innovations in Human Knowledge Across Asia for the 2022 Conference. The past few decades have seen rapid advancements in technologies throughout Asia, affecting how people across the region live, work, and understand the world around them. “Technology” not only encompasses computer advancements and applied sciences, but also to the practical application of knowledge across the spectrum of the human experience.  From computer science to political science, from robotics to literature, from engineering to the performing arts, new technological innovations continue to emerge across disciplines throughout Asia, while traditional technologies continue to be adapted by its users to reflect our brave new world. The goal of this conference is to examine how people in Asia have innovated and adapted to technologies new and old, past and future, thus we welcome submissions from interdisciplinary fields that tackle novel theoretical approaches to new and old challenges alike. 

The 2022 SPAS Graduate Student Conference will feature Jennifer Robertson as the keynote speaker. Jennifer Robertson is Professor Emerita of Anthropology and the History of Art at the University of Michigan (UM), Ann Arbor, and is an affiliate faculty of the Robotics Institute at Michigan, and Affiliate Professor of Anthropology and Japan Studies at the University of Washington, Seattle. 

Why Apply?

The SPAS Graduate Student Conference gives students an opportunity to present their research to a friendly group of peers and professors. As many students from across the U.S., Europe, and Asia attend the conference, there are ample opportunities to network with fellow academics with a passion for the study of Asia. Additionally, there will be several “Best Paper” prizes funded by the area centers at UHM :

• Best Korea paper ($200)
• Edward Seidensticker Best Japan paper ($500)
• Best China paper ($200)
• Best Southeast Asia paper ($200)  
• Best South Asia paper ($200)

Who Can Apply?

Graduate students in any academic discipline with a focus on Asia. 

How to Apply?

Applicants should submit a 250-300 word abstract to gradconf@hawaii.edu with “SPAS 2022 Grad Conf Abstract” as the subject by February 5^th, 2022. Any questions can be directed to this email.

Please direct any questions to conference organizers Caitlin Hayes and Tasha Hayashi at gradconf@hawaii.edu. You can also follow the department’s social media accounts listed below for updates.

Co-sponsored by the School of Pacific and Asian Studies (SPAS) and Department of Asian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.