Framing the Study of Japan” Professionalization Workshop

In partnership with the Japan Foundation’s Program for Strengthening Research Networks to Co-create a Future with the Next Generation initiative, the Association for Asian Studies is pleased to announce a series of professionalization workshops for Southeast Asian scholars incorporating the study of Japan in their work and research. Funded by the Japan Foundation, “Framing the Study of Japan: Professionalization Workshops for Early Ph.D. Students in Southeast Asia” represents a unique training opportunity over a three-year period for Southeast Asian emerging scholars.

Beginning with the 2025 AAS-in-Asia conference in Kathmandu, the AAS will organize two-day pre-conference workshops for ten students in the early stages of their Ph.D. program. Each workshop will be led by two mentors providing professionalization support including, but not limited to, identifying a theoretical framework, conducting a literature review, encountering ethical questions, working with human subjects, developing a research design and methodology, presenting one’s research project, etc.

Year 1 meeting of the workshop series will take place May 30-31 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Year 2 will take place prior to the 2026 AAS-in-Asia conference (TBD), and Year 3 meeting will take place at the 2027 AAS Annual Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Continuation of participants in all three workshops is required.

To ensure effectiveness, participation is limited to 10 Southeast Asian students engaged in Japanese Studies. During the two-day workshop, time will be set aside for formal, structured seminars as well as informal meetings and discussions, group dinners, and social gatherings. We extend a special invitation to those in the underrepresented disciplines in the AAS, including sociology, economics, and political science, as well as Japanese Studies scholars specializing in language and cultural studies to apply. Because the program is meant to support the academic study of Japan, we encourage applications from individuals at institutions with few resources in Japanese Studies.

Students selected for the workshop series will receive a grant to cover the costs of:

• lowest economy roundtrip class airfare (maximum US$1,100.00 reimbursable)
• AAS-in-Asia and AAS Annual Conference registration fees
• lodging (shared room) during the workshop and through the duration of the conference (6 nights)
• meals during the workshop

To apply, please submit the following:

• A letter of interest, which must mention 1) your interest in Japanese Studies; 2) your plan for integrating the study of Japan in your work/research; and 3) your language competencies.
• At least one letter of recommendation from your academic advisor. Letters of recommendation must be emailed directly by your advisor to grants@asianstudies.org no later than February 28, 2025
• CV

All application materials must be submitted via the AAS application portal by February 28, 2025.