Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Conference 2025
Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
July 23 - 25, 2025
ABOUT CONFERENCE
Welcome to IACS 2025!
The Inter-Asia Cultural Studies project works towards the imagination and possibilities of intellectual exchange and collaboration in and beyond Asia. Since the early 1990s, the movement has been bridging Asia’s diverse academic and intellectual worlds. Its conference started with questions about how knowledge is produced in the Asian context, and over the years, we’ve held meetings in cities such as Taipei (1998), Fukuoka (2000), Bangalore (2004), Seoul (2005 and 2017), Shanghai (2007), Tokyo (2009), Dhaka (2011), Singapore (2013 and 2021), Surabaya (2015), Dumaguete (2019), Ahmedabad (2023), and our very own Nakhon Si Thammarat, South of Thailand, in 2025. Discover the connections, friendships, and insights into collective knowledge, cultural richness, and societal dynamics with us at IACS 2025.
Mission
We are pleased to announce the theme for our highly anticipated 2025 Inter-Asia Conference: “Geo-Social Connection: The Continuing Journey of Critical Inquiry,” We introduce the term “geo-social” as a conceptual tool to capture Inter-Asian connections that go beyond the geopolitical. This theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of geography and society as key sites of knowledge production across Asia. Our mission is to spark innovative research methods, promote collaborative solutions to Asian challenges, and ignite deep intellectual curiosity. One tactical approach to fostering existing and emerging geo-social connections is through “inter-referencing,” which highlights shared issues, political processes, and societal dynamics that often remain hidden. Hosted by the Center of Geosocial and Cultural Research for Sustainable Development (GSCR) and the School of Political Science and Public Administration at Walailak University, this conference offers a blend of academic excellence and friendly hospitality. Join us on a journey of critical inquiry and intellectual exploration, in green environments with warm hospitality!
Location
Drawing on Gramsci’s concept of The Southern Question, we seek to explore the solidarity of subjugated knowledge from other southern locations. Nestled on the east coast of southern Thailand, Nakhon Si Thammarat province (นครศรีธรรมราช) derives its name from Sanskrit, meaning “City of the Sacred Dharma King.” Locally known as “Muang Khon” and in Malay as “Ligor,” the province is situated between the South China Sea and the Bay of Bengal, right in the maritime Trans-Asiatic trade network, equidistant from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Its intellectual atmosphere is steeped in intercultural exchanges, diverse languages, and multiple local beliefs. It is home to renowned southern Thai realist artists such as Cherd Songsri in film, Kanokphong Songsomphan in literature, and Suchart Subsin in shadow play. The province offers a rich setting for examining how we can forge geo-social connections to challenge hegemonic alliances in global geopolitics and knowledge production. Scholars, practitioners, and activists from Asia and beyond are welcome to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat, Southern Thailand. It is easy to reach by one-hour flight from Bangkok or overnight bus or train!
Welcome to WU
We enthusiastically welcome you to Walailak University (WU). Named after Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, the university is located in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Established in 1992 as a state-funded institution, Walailak University serves as a comprehensive educational institution, offering courses in social sciences, humanities, science, and technology. The university has developed into a university city, providing a residential environment with complete public utilities and services.
