A summer school focused on the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand will be part of the third Asia-Pacific Week, hosted by the Australian National University's College of Asia-Pacific Studies, from 29 January-2 February 2006. The school's main purpose is to provide opportunities for honours and post-graduate students working on Asia-Pacific countries, to meet and interact with established academics in an informal and supportive environment. It will also enable networking among area specialists, and inform the public about research activities on Asia-Pacific in Australian universities generally.
For the past two years the National Thai Studies Centre has convened a summer school on Thailand. In 2006 the NTSC will again assist in convening a summer school, but the focus will be widened to include other Southeast Asian countries in which Theravada Buddhism represents a common cultural heritage, namely Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. We plan panels on topical issues based on student and staff interest.
Honours level students interested in undertaking postgraduate research; PhD and MA students just beginning their studies; and postgraduate students who have returned from fieldwork and are writing their dissertations from all disciplines who are involved in research on and about the four countries are invited to attend. Researchers at all levels will have opportunities for intensive contact with academic specialists in their field. The ANU has a large number of experts across a range of disciplines in relation to the four countries, and will be assisted by specialists from other universities.
The format of the Summer School will include a mix of formal presentations, workshops, and special events. We would like all student participants to prepare a paper of 3-5,000 words in the area of their specialisation, and to forward this by mid January. At the summer school participants will give a 20 minute overview of their work, and a panel convener or other suitably qualified academic will review both the written and oral presentations.
Previous summer schools included participation and public lectures by notable Thai academics (Prof Thirayuth Boonmi from Thammasat University in 2004, and Prof Uthai Dulyakasem from Walailak University in 2005). We plan to bring an academic from one of the four countries covered in 2006. Other planned activities include an exhibition and lecture on Thai art by artist Phaptawan Suwannakudt, a workshop on research methodology by Dr Craig Reynolds (ANU), and a lecture on politics and Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia by Professor Martin Stuart-Fox (University of Queensland). Researchers will also be introduced to the extensive Southeast Asian library resources, in English and local languages, at the ANU and National Library of Australia.
Honours level and postgraduate students enrolled in a course of study at an Australian or New Zealand university are eligible to apply for scholarships to participate in the Summer School/Conference. These scholarships will offset travel and accommodation costs. Campus accommodation will be available at that time, and organisers will be able to assist with bookings. Please note that financial assistance will normally be available only to students attending for the full four days.
Applicants should submit expressions of interest to the selection committee as detailed on the Asia Pacific Web page (http://rspas.anu.edu.au/asiapacificweek/). These should be sent to the National Thai Studies Centre, Faculty of Asian Studies (ntsc@anu.edu.au) headed "Summer School". Those with an interest in Myanmar should copy their applications to Mr Trevor Wilson (trevor.wilson@anu.edu.au); those interested in Laos should copy to Professor Martin Stuart-Fox (m.stuartfox@uq.edu.au). Applications should be submitted before the end of October. (These may be preliminary in nature, if research depends on academic results.)
Funding is not generally available for researchers based outside Australia, but overseas postgraduate students are welcome to attend the Summer School to present a paper on their research project and/or to audit workshops. Overseas students wishing to attend the Summer School should provide the same information as that being requested from Australian students (see above).
The 2006 ISGSS is to be held in conjunction with summer schools in Chinese Studies, Indonesian Studies, Korea Studies, Pacific Island Studies, Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Studies, Japan Studies, South Asia Studies and East Timor Studies. The Asia-Pacific week will feature special events such as keynote speeches, films, performances and exhibitions. Participants at the ISGSS will interact with participants from other summer schools in combined social functions.
Dr John Funston
02 6125 2925
john.funston@anu.edu.au
