Conference Video: The Transnational Asia Initiative Explores Asia and Asians at Harvard

In November 2025, the Transnational Asia Initiative at the Harvard Asia Center convened a two-day conference in Tsai Auditorium, titled Asia and Asians at Harvard. The program traced Harvard’s historical and contemporary connections with Asia since the late nineteenth century, highlighting the Asian scholars, students, and leaders who have shaped both the University and the wider world.

The conference opened with a welcome note and reflections by Director Michael Puett, followed by an opening panel featuring Professor Susan J. Pharr on Harvard’s early engagements with Japan, and Professor Sugata Bose, who delivered a presentation titled “Harvard and Asia: Brief Encounters, Abiding Relationships.” A traditional Sumatran dance performance, by the Harvard Indonesian Students Association, accompanied the opening session, underscoring the continuing cultural contributions of Asian students to campus life.

Over two days, scholars and students addressed the multifaceted legacies of Harvard’s engagement with Asia. Presentations explored the influence of renowned Asian figures, alongside critical examinations of the University’s role in U.S. colonial education in the Philippines and the history of immigration restriction and eugenics. By revisiting these institutional histories, from museum collections to Cold War policy, the conference advanced a dialogue on institutional responsibility and future regional engagement.

Visit the Exhibition
The exhibition Memories and Milestones: Asia and Asians at Harvard is on view at the Harvard Asia Center (First floor, CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge Street, Cambridge) through March 31, 2026.

Video: Conference Proceedings
Recordings of the conference are available below, encompassing the opening and closing reflections, presentations, and a cultural performance.