Asia Research Institute, NUS

Congratulations to Professor Brenda Yeoh on receiving an honorary doctorate from Lund University.

This prestigious honour recognises her groundbreaking contributions to research on migration, urbanisation, and social change. We are immensely proud to have her as a distinguished colleague in our Migration and Mobilities research cluster.

Distinguished NUS geographer Brenda Yeoh awarded Lund University honorary doctorate Professor Brenda Yeoh, Distinguished Professor from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Lund University in Sweden on 29 May 2026 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to research on migration, mobilities, urbanisation and social change.The ho...

‘When we talk about 'The Field', it's not something that's 'over there' - you are ‘The Field.'’

Associate Professor Sandeep Ray's contagious energy filled the room during his inspiring Keynote Address to participants of the Graduate Forum this morning.

A wonderful day yesterday that brought together, in person for the first time, our 2026 Graduate Forum cohort and ARI–Luce Collaboratory scholars.

The 21st Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asian Studies was officially opened by our Director, Vineeta Sinha, and Deputy Director, Maitrii Aung-Thwin. Over the next week, forum participants will present their work in thematically organised sessions spanning religion, politics, economy, gender, culture, language, migration, urbanism, science and technology, identities, population, and social change.

In addition, there will be keynote lectures offered by Associate Professor Sandeep Ray University of Nottingham Malaysia, and Professor George E. Dutton University of California Los Angeles.

Indonesia-Timor Leste Reconciliation: ‘Through Memory Towards Hope’ » Asia Research Institute, NUS Indonesia-Timor Leste Reconciliation: 'Through Memory Towards Hope' I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja is the executive director of the ASEAN Institute for Peace & Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR). When the Indonesia-Timor-Leste Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) was established, he...

What does it take to publish successfully in academia?

Yesterday morning (18 June) Professor Miriam T. Stark from the University of Hawaii at Manoa led a session titled “Academic Publishing without Tears? Tips for Success in the Academic Publishing World.” She unpacked the peer review process and shared practical strategies for publishing journal articles, book chapters, and monographs.

Henry Luce Foundation

How can academic research speak to policy audiences without losing its rigour?

Dr Moe Thuzar shared insights from her work at ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, where she translates academic research into policy-relevant outputs through the Myanmar Studies Programme. Drawing from her own experience, she introduced her “3 Knows” framework for researchers: know your story, know your audience, and know your risks.

Drawing on examples from policy briefs, blog commentaries, and webinars on Myanmar, she reflected on the challenges of communicating research in politically sensitive contexts while balancing rigour, advocacy, and researcher safety. The session offered early-career scholars practical ways to think about taking their work beyond academia.

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Our Director, Prof Vineeta Sinha was an invited guest at the international symposium on "The Global Significance of Chinese Modernization" in Chongqing, China on Thursday 18 June.

Under the theme 'Advancing Modernization Together, Building a Shared Future,' the symposium focused on 'Mutual Learning and Development of the Global South on Chongqing's Practice of Chinese Modernization.'

Officials from relevant departments, experts from domestic and international think tanks and universities, and media representatives from China, Singapore, Hungary, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Peru attended the event, co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, the Academy of Marxism of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chongqing Collaborative Research Base of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, and the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO), and organized by the Western China International Communication Organization.

Prof Sinha is pictured on stage left (first photo) and 2nd from right (second photo).

Photos courtesy of https://www.ichongqing.info/

The third installment of our skills and competencies series, held yesterday (Wednesday, 17 June), featured Assoc Prof Lisandro E. Claudio as guest speaker on lucid writing in academic work. He shared reflections on writing clearly in area studies, especially the balance between a “show” voice (storytelling, narrative) and a “tell” voice (clear, direct argument). Drawing from his experience writing for magazines like 𝘙𝘰𝘨𝘶𝘦 and 𝘌𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦, as well as biographies for the Ramon Magsaysay Award, he emphasised that academic writing should be aimed at specific audiences and remain accountable to the publics it engages.

What makes a strong academic conference presentation, and why does it matter?

Dr Ven Paolo B. Valenzuela led a session yesterday (16 June) sharing practical advice on navigating academic conferences with early-career researchers. Drawing from his own interdisciplinary work, from climate adaptation fieldwork in the Philippines to producing a 360 VR documentary on tidal flooding, he reflected on how conferences can shape research journeys through feedback, collaboration, and new ideas.

What does it take to thrive in academia when English isn’t your first language?

At Tuesday's (June 16) Academy session, renowned historian Professor Thongchai Winichakul reflected on his journey as a historian working across Thai and international academic contexts. He shared the challenges language posed throughout his career, and the practical strategies he developed to overcome them - from reading for key ideas and taking extensive notes to adapting his writing for different audiences.

Professor Winichakul's message was clear: intellectual curiosity, persistence, and strong ideas matter more than flawless English.

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