May 8-9, 2024
Washington, DC

An East-West Center and Association for Asian Studies Writing and Policy Workshop

The East-West Center (EWC) is partnering with the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) to build a “Network of Networks” bridging the U.S. and the Indo-Pacific. As part of the EWC’s Research Innovation & Collaboration Exchange (RICE) initiative, this collaboration is designed to support experts and public intellectuals from Asia and the U.S. through writing workshops, conferences, and joint publications. 

The project aims at generating critical analysis on issues that broadly relate to the 2024 elections. With almost two billion voters heading to the polls in Asia and in the United States, the results of this electoral year will affect most of the world’s population in terms of trade and investment, foreign policy, economic migration, climate change commitments and the future of global democracy and human rights, amongst other issues. The combined effect of these individual elections will likely have significant and lasting repercussions.  

The AAS is pleased to invite applications from early career scholars and practitioners from Asia and the U.S. to participate in a workshop on “The Year of Choosing Dangerously: Anticipating the impact of the 2024 Elections in the Indo-Pacific and the United States,” supported by the East-West Center. This workshop is convened by the Association for Asian Studies and will be hosted by the East-West Center in Washington, DC in early May. 

The two-day workshop is designed to foster conversations between and across various geographical, political, and economic vantage points and publications in EWC’s Asia Pacific Bulletin and/or Occasional Paper Series. This gathering will create an opportunity to debate the implications of a selection of electoral outcomes for maintaining regional peace and anticipating how a possible change in U.S. leadership could shape the future of international order. Workshop participants will be invited to examine the extent to which these elections will have serious implications on many fronts that include, but are not limited to, trade and diplomacy, borders and migrations, international cooperation on security and defense, human rights, and global climate actions. Additionally, participants will gain skills in navigating the political ecosystem of Washington, DC, networking, policy writing, and promoting their work on social media. 

To apply, please submit a 250-word analysis abstract on a topic of your choice in connection with a 2024 election and a CV by March 4, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST using the AAS portal. Between 10 and 12 applicants will be selected and results will be announced during the week of April 1, 2024.  

If selected for the workshop, you will be asked to submit a 1,000-word Asia Pacific Bulletin analysis that exemplifies and situates your contribution to debate the political, social, economic, or cultural impact of the 2024 Elections in the Indo-Pacific and the United States by April 11, 2024. This workshop also aims to provide participants with the needed tools to disseminate their overall work more broadly and engage in the US-Indo-Pacific policy space. As such, another final written piece will be required following the workshop in Washington, DC to be submitted to an external publication of the participant’s choice by August 31, 2024. 

For any questions about the workshop or the application process, please email Dr. Krisna Uk at krisnauk@asiantsudies.org and Dr. Nicholas Hamisevicz at hamisevn@eastwestcenter.org. 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be nationals of a country in Asia or the United States of America to receive a fellowship stipend.

• Applicants must possess a minimum of a completed Master’s degree. Research applicants should have completed a PhD, while policy experts, NGO/CSO leaders, and journalists, among others, should have demonstrated experience in their professions. Preference will be given to candidates who have not yet had the opportunity to conduct research, projects, and network in Washington, DC, USA.

Fellowship Funding Covers

• Airfare and visa costs from Asia/or the US to Washington, D.C. USA (basic economy), shared accommodations in Washington, D.C., local transportation, group meals, and per diem to enable May workshop participation.

Event Participation and Writing Requirements

• Fellowship awardees must participate in the in-person workshop in Washington, D.C., USA on May 8-9, 2024, and two virtual meetings, on April 11, 2024 and June 6, 2024, respectively. Writing requirements include 1,000 words before the first virtual workshop on April 11, 2024, and a second piece to be completed and submitted to an external policy publication of the applicant’s choice in coordination with EWC and AAS by August 31, 2024.