Asia and Asians at Harvard Conference
Harvard’s long-standing, reciprocal relationships with Asia have shaped scholarship, policymaking, and cultural life—both on our campus and across the region. This two-day conference will Illuminate history – showcase pivotal encounters, initiatives, and collaborations linking Harvard and Asia since the late-19th century; Celebrate contributions – honor Asian students, faculty, and visitors whose work redefined disciplines and campus culture; Critically assess impact – examine Harvard’s role in Asian policymaking, development, and institution-building, acknowledging successes and shortcomings; and Imagine futures – spark new, equitable collaborations that broaden Asia-related teaching, research, and public engagement at Harvard.
Registration is not required but appreciated for planning purposes.
Two-Day Conference
Day 1: Thursday, November 13, 2025
CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge Street
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Opening and Introductions
Michael Puett, Victor and William Fung Foundation Director, Harvard University Asia Center; Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology; Harvard College Professor
Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University
Reception
Concourse Area, CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge Street
Day 2: Friday, November 14, 2025
CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge Street
8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Distinguished Visitors: Asian Intellectuals and Public Figures at Harvard
Moderator: Shigehisa Kuriyama, Reischauer Institute Professor of Cultural History; Director, Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies; Interim Chair in the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations; and Faculty Director for the Humanities, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
Panelists:
Susan J. Pharr, Edwin O. Reischauer Research Professor of Japanese Politics, Harvard University
Mou Banerjee, Assistant Professor of History, University of Wisconsin–Madison; Ph.D. in History, Harvard University
Yan Yu, Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Visiting Scholar, Harvard History Department
Eugene Chua, Harvard College Student
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Pioneers and Pathways: Asian Student Experiences at Harvard
Moderator: Sun Joo Kim, Harvard-Yenching Professor of Korean History
Panelists:
Sujin Elisa Han, Ph.D. candidate in History and East Asian Languages, Harvard University
Mui Poopoksakul, Literary Translator; Harvard College Graduate
Shayna Leng, Harvard College Student
Kashish Bastola, Harvard College Student
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Harvard’s Engagement in U.S. Policy towards Asia
Moderator: Sugata Bose, Gardiner Professor of Oceanic History and Affairs, Harvard University
Panelists:
Eleanor Wikstrom, MSt in Global and Imperial History, University of Oxford; Harvard College Graduate
Erika Lee, Bae Family Professor of History and the Faculty Director of the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Harvard University
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) and Associate Professor of International Political Economy, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Nghia Nguyen, Harvard College Student
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Harvard’s Asian Futures: Rethinking Institutional Legacies and Regional Engagement
Moderator: Jay Rosengard, Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
Panelists:
Joseph Esherick, Emeritus Professor of Modern Chinese History, University of California, San Diego
Bill Alford, Jerome A. and Joan L. Cohen Professor of Law; Director, East Asian Legal Studies Program; Chair, Harvard Law School Project on Disability
Robin Albrecht, MArch Candidate, Department of Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Michael Puett, Victor and William Fung Foundation Director, Harvard University Asia Center; Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology; Harvard College Professor
4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closing Acknowledgement
Rachelle Walsh, Executive Director, Asia Center, Harvard University
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Faculty Lead: Professor Sugata Bose
We gratefully acknowledge the guidance and support of the following faculty members: Sun Joo Kim; Annette Damayanti Lienau; Michael Puett; Malavika Reddy; James Robson; Jay Rosengard; Mark Wu.
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Co-sponsored by the Asia Center, the Program on U.S.-Japan Relations, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, the Korea Institute, the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, the Harvard-Yenching Institute, and the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies.
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Related course: See the course HIST 1966 - Asia and Asians at Harvard taught by Professor Sugata Bose.
Related Harvard Resources (hosted by other Harvard units)