Proposals, registrations sought for Asia conference this fall

KALAMAZOO--Scholars and teachers interested in Asia will be able to examine issues that span that region during two concurrent conferences Friday through Sunday, Sept. 21-23, in the Fetzer Center on Western Michigan University's main campus in Kalamazoo.

The events are the 61st Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs, which is a regional conference of the Association of Asian Studies, and the second Himalayan Studies Conference, which is being presented by the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies.

"We're excited about hosting these conferences because it's a great chance for students and teachers from around the Midwest to learn more about Asia and for us to showcase our rapidly growing Asia programs and related research and outreach activities," says Dr. Stephen Covell. Covell, who is an associate professor and the Mary Meader Professor of Comparative Religion at WMU, is chair of the Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs.

He adds, "WMU is home to the Soga Japan Center, Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies and a Confucius Institute. Our faculty conduct research on Asia and teach about nearly every part of the region, and we send many students to study abroad there each year."

Proposals

Proposals for panel and paper presentations are due by Friday, May 18, at anhs-himalaya.org/hsc for the Himalayan Studies Conference and by Friday, June 15, at international.wmich.edu/mcaa for the Asian affairs conference. Those hoping to present at the Himalayan Studies Conference also must register to attend the event by May 18.

Organizers of both conferences will accept proposals from undergraduate and graduate students as well as other scholars from any academic discipline on any topic involving Asia. Abstracts must accompany proposals for papers. Accepted proposals will be announced by the end of July.

Registration

The Himalayan Studies Conference, which is free to WMU students, costs from $65 to $95 for those registering online through Aug. 1 and $80 to $110 for those registering on site. Visit anhs-himalaya.org/hsc to learn more or to register.

To present at or attend the Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs, registrations must be received by Friday, Aug. 31. The event costs $65 for students and $95 for others. Additionally, an optional K-12 Educator Workshop is being planned, which will have a separate fee. Visit international.wmich.edu/mcaa to learn more or to register.

The conferences are being hosted by WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education. Dr. Mahendra Lawoti, WMU professor of political science, is the Himalayan Studies Conference chair.

Direct questions to @email or Karen Smith in WMU's Haenicke Institute at (269) 387-3780.