Summer 2025 Field School & Workshop

Theme: Southeast Asian identities in popular culture and literature

In conjunction with our Spring 2025 course, SEAC will offer the opportunity for SEAC members to apply to participate in our Summer 2025 Field School and Workshop. This will take place in Malaysia.

Upon arrival, participants will work with the cohort and faculty to begin workshopping their projects.

Participants will workshop a project related to the theme of the year, Southeast Asian identities in popular culture and literature, in any area of Southeast Asia, from any disciplinary perspective.

Eligibility

  • Faculty including temporary, non-tenure track, tenure track, and tenured

  • Graduate students PhD, MA, and other

  • Undergraduate students currently registered and continuing students at SUNY and CUNY enrolled in any discipline of study who are engaged in research or studies related to this year’s theme are eligible to apply.

Approximately ten (10) participants will be selected.

SEAC will cover the cost of:

  • Airfare to Malaysia

  • Room and board for duration of workshop and field school

  • Travel insurance (need to be a current student in order to participate)

Required Events

  • Spring 2025 Course

    A 1-credit online-synchronous course in taught by the lead faculty, EK Tan (Stony Brook University), Martina Nguyen (Baruch College/CUNY), and Lauren Meeker (SUNY New Paltz). You may also audit the course for 0 credits.

    Register as an independent study with one of the lead faculty or a professor at your home institution.

  • Orientations

    Online synchronous SUNY/CUNY orientations in the Spring semester

  • Workshop

    3-day workshop in June 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

  • Field School

    7-day field school following the workshop, also in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    *Workshop and Field School will be joined by faculty and students from local institutions

Application Process and Timeline

Timeline:

  • Call for Proposals: mid-late December 2024

  • Submission Deadline: Early February 2025 (roughly one week into semester for all campuses so that at least one session of the online class)

  • Notification: Late February 2025

Application Materials

Faculty and graduate students:

  • Statement of interest in the SUNY/CUNY SEAC Workshop and Field School and this year’s core research agenda (300-500 words)

  • A paper abstract for consideration for the workshop (300-500 words)

  • A resume or curriculum vitae (2-5 pages)

  • For graduate students, a digital copy of recent academic transcripts from SUNY/CUNY

  • A completed application form 

Undergraduate students:

  • Statement of interest in the SUNY/CUNY SEAC Fellowship and this year’s core research agenda (300-500 words)

  • A paper abstract for consideration for the workshop (300-500 words)

  • A resume or curriculum vitae (2-5 pages)

  • A digital copy of recent academic transcripts from SUNY/CUNY

  • A completed application form

What are we looking for? 

From Faculty and Graduate Applications:

  1. Quality of Research Project

  2. Explanation of how the field school and research in Southeast Asia can benefit your project and career trajectory 

From Undergrad Applications:

  1. Motivation: Why do you want to go to Southeast Asia? While heritage students are encouraged, we are especially looking for those who also have intellectual interest.

  2. Quality of Research Project

Still have Questions?