I am delighted to say that ASEAS successfully held our first ‘in Asia’ conference this year, hosted in November 2023 by the Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Indonesia. Our excellent programme featured 210 speakers subdivided into 54 panels, 4 plenaries, and 4 keynotes. There was an impressive mix of early career researchers and established experts in the field of Southeast Asian Studies.
Participants will fondly remember John Sidel’s call to arms on day one of the conference, when he encouraged everyone to engage in robust debate and to challenge conventional knowledge. On the second day Maris Diokno captivated the audience with a razor sharp critique of the Marcos regime in the Philippines.
On the third day conference participants were spoilt for choice, with guest appearances from celebrity fashion designer Didiet Maulana, Ambassador Sarah Tiffin, Ambassador Derry Aman, and Bambang Hero Saharjo, one of Indonesia’s most celebrated forensic scientists who helps enforce forestry and environmental law.
Finally, day four began with a masterclass on elections in Southeast Asia, with Duncan McCargo (Thailand), Bridget Welsh (Malaysia), Ronald Holmes (Philippines), and Aditya Perdana (Indonesia) revealing novel patterns of democratic decline in the region. The day ended with a brilliant reception at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Jakarta, and conference delegates said their farewells in style.
On behalf of ASEAS I extend my sincere appreciation to our external supporters. The University of Leeds was a generous high-level sponsor. The Indonesia Britain Education Centre provided conference materials and set up a booth at the venue. Periplus and Galda-Verlag publishers set up attractive stalls with excellent book collections.
The involvement of dedicated colleagues from the British Council and the UK Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta really elevated the conference and reinforced the UK’s commitment to educational links with Southeast Asian partners and stakeholders.
The conference committee at the Universitas Indonesia worked tirelessly to deliver a fantastic conference experience for all delegates. I wish to thank all participants once again, and look forward to the next conference in 2025!
Dr Adam Tyson
Chair, Association of Southeast Asian Studies UK
Associate Professor, School of Politics and International Studies
Pro Dean International, Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Leeds
Click here to view the 2023 Conference webpage and Book of Abstracts
ASEAS 