Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences & Supporting Under-Represented  Scholars of Asia

SOUTHEAST ASIA & SOUTH ASIA

CHSS

CHSS · Supporting Under-Represented Scholars of Asia

This four-year project (03/2022-02/2026) aims at reducing the vulnerabilities of Southeast and South Asian low-income countries through policy-pertinent research, especially in post-conflict and conflict areas to stimulate peace building, cooperation and development.

This collaborative project will pursue its objectives through cooperation, exchange, and the creation of a ‘network of networks’ centered on four main partners located in different parts of the region. These include two universities based in Southeast Asia (Thailand and Cambodia) and two in South Asia (India and Pakistan). In addition, the project will work with an East-Timorese institutional partner to continue fostering the field of Timor-Leste studies.

With generous support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) and our hosts at Universitas Gadjah Mada, this year’s AAS-in-Asia conference featured a series of graffiti and street art events highlighting the work of local artists and graffiti writers from Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The project’s aims

CHSS Thailand Conference December 2022

The “Multiple Marginalities” conference was the first event held under the “(CHSS) project, with the support of (SIDA).

CHSS will develop the research capabilities of scholars, junior faculty members and students & local institutions in humanities and social sciences research.
CHSS will invigorate academic studies in South and Southeast Asia.
The project will encourage innovative inter-disciplinary and cross-boundary research focused on development, democracy, human rights, gender and environment.
“I am writing to express my gratitude for the research funding I received from the Association for Asian Studies.”

“This support made it possible for me to embark on field research trips to Kashmir, where I witnessed some truly majestic moments and was able to capture them with my camera. I am humbled and profoundly grateful to the AAS. My time in Kashmir was life-changing, and I owe it all to the CHSS program. Without this support, I would not have had the chance to visit Kashmir, let alone witness and capture these awe-inspiring scenes.”
Kasir AliIndia
Chinar Charm: There are very few things in life that delight us even in their death, and Chinar leaves are one of them. They sweep the streets and yards of Kashmir like a cozy blanket. Download high resolution.
If I have to pick a place to read an old novel or write my first one I will sit on this bench. if I have to absorb a new feeling or yearn in the old depths of self-discovery, I will choose this time. If I have to seek the beauty within me or remember the ones outside, I will etch this moment. Download high resolution.
Apricots: In the Spring, these white petals delight every eye that takes the road and paint every sight that meets an open window in Kashmir. Download high resolution.
This is Dal Lake, the heart of Srinagar. Download high resolution.
The Lonely Rose: This picture reinforces my belief in the art of absence. This picture reaffirms my motto that less is more. This picture reminds me that solitude is beautiful. Download high resolution.

CHSS In Motion

See below for the latest posts from CHSS and its partners.

More CHSS in Motion
Articles | Thoughts | Expressions | Research

CHSS Target Participants

Scholars in low-income countries of Southeast and South Asia.

Scholars from conflict and post-conflict regions.

Early-career faculty and students.

Women.

Ethnic minority groups.

CHSS Target Countries & Regions

South Asia

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka

Southeast Asia

Cambodia
Parts of Indonesia (e.g., Aceh, Maluku, Papua, West Papua)
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Myanmar
Parts of the Philippines (e.g., Mindanao)
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Vietnam

CHSS Project Components

Grants / Fellowships

Short- and long-term research grants, graduate student paper awards, and Scholars-in-Residence Fellowship program for members of under-represented and vulnerable groups

Capacity-Bulding

Capacity-building in scholarship for conflict and post-conflict countries; (involving bi-annual research skill-building workshops and mentoring).

Events

AAS-in-Asia conferences and transregional workshops;
(annual academic event and training in publishing or peace-building and human security).

Special Publications

AAS Education About Asia journal and publications of workshop proceedings.

AAS Project Partners

The Association for Asian Studies “Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences and Supporting Under-represented Scholars of Asia” is a project supported by Sweden.

AAS Logo CHSS
Sweden Sverige logo CHSS

CHSS Project Hubs and Focus Point in South and Southeast Asia

To lay a solid foundation of this project, we build on the selected institutions’ strategic geographical locations, teaching resources, and accounting and reporting capabilities. The ‘regional Hubs’ will help us identify and develop the capacity of underserved universities that are often located away from the largest cities and/ or in areas of conflict.  The Timor-Leste Focus Point will develop the profile of Timor-Leste Studies.

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation.

Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development

Chiang Mai University is a public research university in northern Thailand.

Lahore University of Management Sciences

Lahore University of Management Sciences is a research university, in Punjab, Pakistan.

Royal University of Phnom Penh

The Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) is a national research university of Cambodia.

Savitribai Phule Pune University

Savitribai Phule Pune University, is a collegiate public state university located in the city of Pune, India.

UNTL · Timor-Leste

The National University of East Timor is a a public university, the only one of its kind in Timor-Leste.

Read More about the Project Partners

Cultivating the Humanities and Social Sciences & Supporting Under-Represented Scholars of Asia

Theory of Change

Read about the Projects Targets, the Preconditions, and the Assumptions that lead to the CHSS Theory of Change.

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