Facing Methodological Challenges in Asian Studies

Abstract

Regional social science studies with a focus on Asia are no longer at the margin of universities’ degree programs. China’s economic rise and Japan’s soft power appeal are just two examples for the growing public and academic interest in Asia and have led to the creation of a myriad of new study programs and research institutes around the world. Given that Asian studies are interdisciplinary in nature, research and writing require a fine balance of knowledge on the country or area in focus and sound training in social science methods. Furthermore, methodologies and theoretical concepts developed in non-Asian contexts confront students with the difficulty to choose the right one among a range of possible research designs and methods and to be sensitive to a potential Eurocentric bias at the same time.

This workshop offers a platform for discussing research methodologies and writing for social science projects on all areas in Asia. Invited doctoral students will have the opportunity to present a chapter of their dissertation and receive feedback by an expert of their area of study.

Keynotes

• Prof. Dr. Cornelia Reiher (GEAS, Freie Universität Berlin)
• Prof. Dr. Nicolas Martin (IAOS, UZH) 

Discussants

• Prof. Dr. Cornelia Reiher (GEAS, Freie Universität Berlin)
• Prof. Dr. Mareile Flitsch (Völkerkundemuseum / ISEK, UZH)
• Prof. Dr. Nicolas Martin (IAOS, UZH)

Organisation

Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies - Japanese Studies

• Dr. Helena Hof
• Dr. Fynn Holm
• Nora Gilgen, M.A.

Financially supported by the Graduate Campus, UZH

Note

The Workshop is open for invited doctoral students and professors only. It will be held online.