CfP: Environmental and Economic Challenges in Global Asia5.12.2025 {en}
The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at the University of Kansas (KU) invites submissions for its annual spring symposium, to be held in a hybrid format—both virtually and in person—on April 3–4, 2026, at the KU Lawrence campus.
This year’s theme, “Environmental and Economic Challenges in Global Asia,” examines how countries and communities across Asia are responding to intensifying environmental pressures, climate change, natural disasters, resource scarcity, energy transitions, and economic volatility. By focusing on long-term planning, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation amid global uncertainty, the symposium seeks to explore how Asian societies—both at micro and macro levels—work toward more sustainable, resilient, and equitable futures.
While East Asia is the primary focus of the symposium, we warmly welcome proposals engaging South, Southeast, and Central Asia, as well as comparative or transregional perspectives that situate Asia within global environmental and economic systems.
This two-day interdisciplinary gathering will bring together scholars and graduate students from environmental studies, history, political science, geography, architecture, anthropology, the arts, and related fields. We especially welcome contributions that take innovative, empirical, theoretical, or creative approaches to the theme.
Possible Topics Include (but are not limited to):
- Climate adaptation, mitigation, and resilience across Asia
- Environmental governance, policy, and cross-border cooperation
- Resource extraction, energy transitions, and sustainability challenges
- Urbanization, infrastructure risk, and environmental justice
- Labor, migration, and environmental or economic precarity
- Cultural, artistic, and media representations of environmental crisis
- Market volatility, economic policy, and regional development
We welcome individual paper abstracts from faculty, independent scholars, and students across disciplines. Please submit a 250-word abstract no later than January 15, 2026. You will be notified of your paper’s acceptance status by January 26, 2026
Hybrid Format and Participation Expectations
The symposium will operate in a hybrid format. Virtual participation is available, but in-person attendance is encouraged and expected when possible. Please note: There is no registration fee and no travel support is available.
Special Note for Graduate and Undergraduate Students
The Graduate Scholars in East Asian Studies (GSEAS) will host “The KU Graduate Student Asian Studies Research Exhibition” on Day 2 of the symposium (April 4), featuring papers, posters, and creative or multimedia projects by graduate and advanced undergraduate students.
If you are a graduate or upper-level undergraduate student, please submit your application through this form and contact gseas[at]ku.edu with any questions.
