This Week: Chinese Diaspora and the Modern World Virtual Forum

Announcements

Happy Halloween Image by Nuttaporn Chattakul/Vecteezy

English Online Lecture: Chinese Immigration and the Modern World Online lecture time: November 3 (Wednesday), Beijing time at 10 am November 2 (Tuesday) at 10pm Eastern Time Speaker: Wang Gungwu Interviewers: Bai Xianshen, Feng Daxuan For more than two centuries, in order to survive, a large number of Chinese living in coastal provinces have left their homes to seek better opportunities in other countries. They first went to Southeast Asia, and then to the United States. Today, Chinese immigration continues, but the connotation has undergone tremendous changes. The new immigrants and their descendants are collectively referred to as "Chinese Diaspora" (Chinese Diaspora), and they occupy an important political and economic position in their new home country.To this end, we specially invited Professor Wang Gungwu from the National University of Singapore to introduce us the status quo of the extremely large and complex Chinese immigrants in the unpredictable world of the 21st century. The organizer of this lecture is China and the World: Ancient and Modern Silk Road journal, and the co-organizers are the "China-US Impression" website and the Atlanta China Research Center.

The Academic Resource Center will offer support to senior thesis writers as they navigate the remainder of their fall semester and transition into spring. Thesis students can make use of the following resources:   Half-hour workshops designed for students writing and/or researching their thesis: Fitting in Your Thesis (October 28 at 2pm and November 3 at 4pm) Writing Through Stress (November 15 at 10am and December 2 at noon) One-on-one academic coaching to support: Time management Creating and meeting deadlines Identifying thesis action items Having productive conversations with advisors Avoiding procrastination Working with feedback Developing a writing schedule An accountability hour with the Harvard Library on Wednesdays from 4-5pm. The ARC’s Senior Thesis Working Retreat (January 10-14) A structured space for students to make significant progress on their thesis during the winter break, no matter where they are in the process.    Registration for coaching appointments, workshops, and accountability hours can be completed using the ARC scheduler.

Fall 2022 Applications now open for Interdisciplinary MA in Regional Studies—East Asia at Columbia University! Application deadline: February 3, 2022 Founded more than 20 years ago, MARSEA is a leading MA program for the interdisciplinary study of modern politics, history, international relations, and languages of East Asia. Offering courses taught by over fifty faculty specialists in the Asia-Pacific region, access to Columbia's world-class library system, and the opportunity to live and study in New York City, the MARSEA program is a great option for students wishing to focus on modern and contemporary East Asia. The program offers specializations in China, Japan, Korea, and Tibet. Learn more and apply here.

Summer 2022 Study Abroad Updates from Asia Centers Please note the following decisions are tentative and will be subject to change in accordance with public health guidance and travel policies. Further updates will be listed as needed.

In response to travel restrictions, the Harvard Asia Center will consider funding undergraduate/graduate research grant applications that do not involve travel to international destinations rated Level 4 or Unknown for COVID-19 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please see the Harvard Travel Guidance website for up to date information. Applications for students who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 wishing to conduct research in countries rated Level 1, 2 or 3 will be considered. The Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Program in Hong Kong will not be held in Summer 2022. Harvard Taipei Academy (HTA), a new program replacing the former Harvard Beijing Academy, will be held in-person this summer.

The Reischauer Institute will continue to accept applications to fund summer research: thesis & summer science research for undergrads, language study, & internships. Harvard Summer School in Kyoto is planned to be held in-person in Japan. Further decisions will be announced in January. Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) is planning for an in-person spring semester and summer language intensive on the campus of Doshisha University in 2022.

Kansai Gaidai University's Summer Asian Studies initiatives will be held online in 2022. Available programs include the ASP Home-Based Program (online ASP courses), the Online Summer Program during June and July, and the Intercultural Engagement Program (IEP), a student-led virtual initiative for Japanese and foreign students to learn about each other. To learn more about Kansai Gaidai's offerings, click here. Students of the KGIP program may be invited to participate in the Kansai Gaidai Internship Program. The Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Program in Seoul will be in-person this year, with classes held on the campus of Ewha Womans University.

Harvard Events

Monday, November 1 Monday, 12:00pm-1:00pm UN’s Role in the Global Disarmament Agenda Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Moderator: Christina L. Davis, Harvard University Special Series on Policy Innovations in Crises Monday, 12:00pm-1:30pm Panel Discussion: Overcoming Challenges in the Research Environment in China Elizabeth Perry, Harvard University Denise Ho, Yale University Robert Weller, Boston University Yuen Yuen Ang, University of Michigan Moderator: Michael Szonyi, Harvard University Monday, 12:30pm-1:45pm Queer Dis/inheritance: Vietnamese Radical Activism on Intergenerational Trauma, Refugee Lineage, and Chosen Future Ly Thuy Nguyen, Augsburg University Tuesday, November 2 Tuesday, 4:00pm-5:30pm The Ideograph and a Cantonese Pun: Linguistic Divergence and Spurious Chinese Marks in Global Capitalism Speaker: Eugenia Lean, Professor of History and East Asian Languages and Cultures; Director, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University By examining two early legal cases featuring the alleged counterfeiting of Xiangmao Honey Soap, this talk shows how the Chinese language and linguistic practices in Chinese commercial culture often stymied Western manufacturers and import companies’ attempts to pursue and prosecute suspected Chinese copycats. Registration Required. Register: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5xjWzVTGRLiYB9I6Sb-lrg

Wednesday, November 3 Wednesday, 12:00pm-1:30pm Empathy and Xenophobia: Migrant and Refugee Experiences Weatherhead Forum Special Online Event Rula Amin, Senior Communication Advisor and Spokesperson, Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Jacqueline Bhabha, Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights, Department of Global Health and Population; Director of Research, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Jeremiah Smith Jr., Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School Melani Cammett, Center Director, Clarence Dillon Professor of International Affairs, Department of Government, Harvard University; Professor, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Sarah Dryden-Peterson, Associate Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education Registration is required. Wednesday, 12:00pm Political Violence in Southeast Asia Since 1945: Case Studies from Six Countries Eve Zucker, Yale University Ben Kiernan, Yale University Wednesday, 1:15pm-2:30pm Politics and Literature in Mongolia 1921-1948 Simon Wickhamsmith, Rutgers University Inner Asian and Altaic Studies Lecture Thursday, November 4 Thursday, 4:30pm-6:00pm Hidden Gems in the Korea Collection at the Harvard-Yenching Library Mikyung Kang, Harvard-Yenching Library Chair: Sun Joo Kim, Harvard University Korean Treasures at Harvard Series I Friday, November 5 Friday, 12:30pm-2:00pm War and the Reconfiguration of China's Energy Geography Environment in Asia Series Speaker: Ying Jia Tan, Assistant Professor of History and East Asian Studies, Wesleyan University In Recharging China in War and Revolution, 1882–1955 (Cornell University Press, 2021), Ying Jia Tan argues that, even in times of peace, the Chinese economy operated as though still at war, constructing power systems that met immediate demands but sacrificed efficiency and longevity. Registration Required. Register: https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jRhu4N8RSqGioDgdMqvjOw CHINA HUMANITIES SEMINAR Friday, 4:00pm-5:15pm Questioning Vaccine Hesitancy in Japan, Past and Present Andrew Gordon, Harvard University Michael Reich, Harvard University Moderator: Mary C. Brinton, Harvard University Reischauer Institute Japan Forum presentation Friday, 8:00pm-9:00pm Publisher at Work: Yu Xiangdou's Images and Visualizing Intellectual Labor China Humanities Seminar Speaker: Suyoung Son, Associate Professor, Cornell University How could intangible, tacit intellectual labor be legible, acknowledged, and compensated? The relationship between authorship and authorial property was hotly debated in late imperial China when a flurry of fakes, forgeries, and counterfeits abounded in the commercial book market. Register: https://harvard.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYpcOyuqTItH9XHfGGHtpzj0f6bGEsaGjG0

Grant & Publication Opportunities

Korea Institute Undergraduate Summer Research Travel Grants Deadline: Monday, February 7, 2022, 5pm EST For AY21-22, due to COVID-19, all programs and opportunities are subject to change and/or cancellation. KI undergrad summer research support is for travel for research/fieldwork. All support related to travel is contingent upon Harvard guidelines and safety protocols. See following sites for up-to-date guidance: Harvard Travel Guidance and Harvard GSS COVID-19 travel advice. Please see the Korea Institute undergraduate opportunities page for more grant and study abroad opportunities.

Work Opportunities

Japanese-Language Research Assistant to Harvard EALC Alum Yuting Dong (Harvard EALC PhD 2021), currently Academy Scholar at the Harvard Academy for International and Area Studies, is seeking a research assistant who can assist her with Japanese-language data input, mainly transcribing basic information data (name, address, etc.) from photos to Word and Excel. Native or near-native proficiency in Japanese is strongly preferred. Requirements:  Can input Japanese information into Excel The work will be about 60 hours, can be extended depending on the situation Payment: Undergraduate $16/hour, graduate $18/hour.  Must be able to be enrolled in Harvard payroll system. Anyone interested should email yutingdong@fas.harvard.edu. Will require a test run consisting of transcription of one page.  Data Annotator and Translator, CJK languages (hourly, via Workforce Logiq) Location & hours: fully remote, part-time (20+ hours/week), partial flex time Compensation: $25/hr Moveworks is a Series C start-up in Silicon Valley that has developed a powerful AI-based chatbot which resolves enterprise employee issues autonomously and instantly using advanced Natural Language Understanding.   Overview  Data annotation entails categorizing, tagging, labeling, and evaluating textual information. This role is a blend of data annotation and translation.    Expert fluency in English and Chinese OR Japanese OR Korean is required.     Hiring manager: Natasha Klein-Atlas, https://www.linkedin.com/in/klein-atlas/ - please submit resume and cover letter to natasha@moveworks.ai with the subject “Data Annotation and Translation, CJK languages”

Below is a static list of academic and social resources.

Events by Institution

Harvard Asia Center Event Calendar

Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies Event Calendar

Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies Event Calendar

Korea Institute Event Calendar

Harvard-Yenching Institute

Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation Event Calendar

Weatherhead Center for International Affairs Event Calendar

Harvard Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Events and Exhibitions

Asia Center Virtual Programs Experience Harvard Asia Center programming through current and archived digital exhibitions, as well as podcast talk series and author conversations! Click to view virtual programs at the Asia Center. Left: Still from 3D virtual exhibition "Harvard Asia Center Poster Art 2010-2020"

Student Groups *Please be aware that student groups may have become inactive during our time off campus. If you are aware of any updates to a group on this list, please let us know by e-mailing naia_poyer@fas.harvard.edu.

Asian American Business Association The Asian American Business Association (AABA) provides a forum for the promotion, understanding, and cross-cultural exchange of East Asian and Asian American business, social, academic, cultural, political, and community-related initiatives. Visit their website here. Asian American Dance Troupe For over twenty years, the Asian American Dance Troupe (AADT) has sought to spread an appreciation and awareness of Asian culture through the medium of dance. Our repertoire includes a diverse range of dance forms including traditional, ethnic minority, fusion, martial arts, modern, and hip hop. Membership open to all students in good standing currently enrolled in Harvard College. Visit their website here. Asian American Studies Working Group is a space of interdisciplinary collaboration between faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates pursuing scholarships in Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) histories, experiences, and intellectual traditions. Its goals are to build scholarly community, explore major debates and developments in API Studies, and enrich the research pursued by its members across Harvard University. To contact the organizers, see when the group meets next, or to learn more, visit their webpage. China Forum Founded in 1998, Harvard College China Forum is currently the largest China-focused conference in the New England area and annually attracts audiences from all over North America. Every spring the forum invites influential business leaders, policy shapers, and leading scholars to Harvard to address current events in a wide range of topics relevant to the development of China today. Operating under the Harvard China Review framework, HCCF, together with the Harvard China Review, runs a series of sub-programs, including monthly seminars and an annual cultural exchange program in the summer. Visit their website here. Gaongil (Harvard College Modern Korean Studies Society)  A tight-knit organization that meets to discuss various economic, social, political, cultural issues related to modern Korea. As the Korean word "Gaongil" means "Middle-Path," the organization is committed to remaining nonpartisan while encouraging free, unhindered discussion. Anyone interested in joining Gaongil is welcome! No prior experience with Korean language or culture is needed; meetings are in English. Fill out the interest form here to be included in their e-mail list. Harvard Asian American Womxn's Association The Asian American Womxn's Association recognizes the need for a unified, open community at Harvard concerned with the issues facing people of Asian descent in Western society. The purpose of the Asian American Womxn's Association is to address these needs by creating a collective voice and promoting the prominence and concerns of the Asian-American population, both within the community and without. Visit their Facebook page here. Harvard Buddhist Community The HDS Buddhist Community (HBC) is a nondenominational Buddhist group serving the Harvard and Cambridge communities throughout the school year. In addition to hosting weekly meditation sittings, HBC also organizes Buddhist film screenings and discussion groups, as well as the annual Buddhism & Race Conference. HBC generally meets weekly at the Harvard Divinity School. To subscribe to the mailing list, or to inquire about events, e-mail hbcsangha@gmail.com; or visit their Facebook page here. Harvard Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) Harvard CSSA is dedicated to the goal of promoting social, intellectual, and cultural activities of Chinese students and scholars at Harvard and for other interested members in the Harvard community. It facilitates communication among its members and acts as a liaison between itself and other organizations on campus. The group works to facilitate the exchange of information between China and the United States. Its activities include sponsoring and co-sponsoring social, intellectual, and cultural events, films, and seminars. The contact e-mail is harvardcssa@gmail.com. Visit their website here. Harvard Taiwanese Culture Society TCS is a student-run organization at Harvard College dedicated to promoting the culture and heritage of Taiwan and Taiwanese-Americans. From cultural events like making muaji to social events like karaoke to special events like their annual Winterfest: Taste of Taiwan, their goal is to enhance awareness of Taiwanese culture and provide a place for those interested in learning about Taiwan to meet. Visit their website here; or visit their Facebook page here. Harvard Task Force for Asian American Progressive Advocacy and Studies (TAPAS) The Task Force for Asian American Progressive Advocacy and Studies (TAPAS) is an advocacy organization of Harvard undergraduates aiming to support Asian American communities and stand in solidarity with progressive struggles. Visit their Facebook page for more info. Harvard Vietnamese Association The Harvard Vietnamese Association is dedicated to fostering an awareness of Vietnamese culture on campus and within the Greater Boston area, and promoting the interests of the Vietnamese student body at Harvard. Visit their website here, or like their Facebook page for regular updates--including a biweekly Vietnamese language table for native speakers and learners to enjoy each other's company and conversation! Korea Caucus The mission of Korea Caucus, a student-run organization at Harvard Kennedy School, is to actively raise the awareness of Korea within the KSG community by sharing the country's cultural heritage through social events, serving as a bridge and resource to non-Korean students who are interested in learning more about the country. They also aim to provide a forum to address key issues facing Korea and their implications for the rest of the world through activities and events. Visit their Facebook page. Korean Association The Korean Association leads the undergraduate Korean-American community's efforts to teach and learn about Korean culture and political issues. The KA additionally provides a social outlet for Korean-American students interested in meeting others with a shared heritage and interests. KA supports cultural groups including YISEI the magazine, the fan dance troupe Chunsa, and the Korean drumming group (poongmul pae) Han Ma Eum. Visit their website or follow their Facebook page. Organization of Asian American Sisters in Service OAASIS currently consists of 25 members committed to each other in three aspects: commitment in sisterhood, commitment in service, and commitment in exploring the diverse experiences of Asian and Asian American women. Visit their Facebook page at http://facebook.com/harvardoaasis. Direct any questions to oaasis.harvard@gmail.com. OAASIS welcomes students of all gender and ethnic identities.

Links & Resources The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is here to assist undergraduate and graduate students with navigating their studies and reaching their goals for this semester and beyond. Through the ARC, you have access to academic coaching, peer tutoring, workshops, and accountability sessions to help you succeed. This fall students can choose whether they want to engage with the ARC in person or virtually, and can access all services through the ARC Scheduler. Browse free online courses in a variety of subjects. Harvard University courses on EdX can be audited free, or students can choose to receive a verified certificate for a small fee. Multiple EAS-related courses are offered via HarvardX, including Japanese Books: From Manuscript to Print; ChinaX Book Club: Five Authors, Five Books, Five Views of China; and Contemporary China: The People's Republic, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School hosts programs dedicated to the interdisciplinary research of Vietnam and China. Chinese Art Media Lab (CAMLab) CAMLab explores innovative ways of showcasing Chinese art and culture through immersive installations, exhibitions, films, digital publications, curatorial projects, and other multimedia forms. For more information, visit their website and Instagram.  Questions? Contact Program Coordinator: anniechen@fas.harvard.edu The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies provides undergraduates studying China with a myriad of opportunities and resources, including funding to travel to China, information about programs in China, and opportunities to do research with respected scholars of Chinese studies. Visit their undergraduate resources page: https://fairbank.fas.harvard.edu/resources/undergraduate/ Free Peer Tutoring for Undergraduates A new program implemented to replace the former Bureau of Study Council. Read more here. The Harvard Asia Center generates and shares knowledge about Asia from a transnational and transregional perspective. With its core lectures, seminars series, and conferences, the Center engages with topics critical to Asia and its connections with other regions, bringing in notable academics, government officials, business leaders, and other specialists as featured speakers and panelists. Learn more about Asia Center lectures, events, and student grants here: https://asiacenter.harvard.edu/programs-events The Harvard-Yenching Institute is an independent foundation dedicated to advancing higher education in Asia in the humanities and social sciences, with special attention to the study of Chinese culture. Learn more here. International Chinese Studies Virtual Events Clearing-House In spring 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, China Studies around the world moved online. One unanticipated consequence of this unfortunate situation is that it is now possible to attend events regardless of one’s location. The China Studies Virtual Events Clearing-house has been created to share information about upcoming online events with the broader China studies community. The clearing-house was created and is maintained by the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University. Learn more here. International Japan Studies Event Database The International Japanese Studies Events Database was created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the shift to online event programming undertaken at institutions and programs worldwide. Inspired by a similar initiative within the Chinese studies community and Harvard's Fairbank Center, the Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, in cooperation with the Weatherhead Center Program on US-Japan Relations, has launched this site as a service to the wider Japanese studies community. Learn more here. The Korea Institute provides dozens of funding, travel, grant, and research opportunities for undergraduates studying Korea. Visit their Student page here: https://korea.fas.harvard.edu/for-students Korean Studies Portal Click here. Japan Digital Research Center (Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies) Click here. Japan Disasters Digital Archive Click here. The Office of International Education can connect you with over 200 Harvard-approved study abroad programs across the world. Their advising team is also available for international students needing any help or guidance with Harvard matters. Click here. The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Visit their events page here: https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/calendar/list The Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies is an excellent resource for EAS concentrators studying Japan. Find a calendar of Japan-related events and lectures, undergraduate grant information, and internship opportunities on their website: rijs.fas.harvard.edu Have an event/group you'd like featured in this newsletter? Contact Naia Poyer (EALC Program Assistant).