Conference & Presentation Formats
The AAS 2025 Annual Conference will only include in-person sessions. Unlike the 2023 and 2024 Annual Conferences, there will not be a separate online component. Participants in sessions that are scheduled to take place in person may not present remotely via Zoom or other technology.
Submission Types (All sessions are 1 hour and 30 minutes in length)
| Type | Description | Requirements | Notes |
| Organized Panels | Pre-organized session with three to four paper presentations and a session chair and/or discussant to facilitate a discussion of the papers presented. The session abstract word count is 250 words maximum. | • Session Abstract • Minimum of 3 paper presenters / Maximum 4 paper presenters • Chair (required) | These sessions are submitted as pre-organized sessions, which already include the names of the paper presenters, chair, and discussant. Do you have an individual paper presentation? See the Individual Paper submission type |
| Roundtable Sessions | Teaching and learning development format. Mostly pedagogical. Formal papers are not required. | • Session Abstract (350 words maximum) • One (1) Chair (required) • 3-5 Discussants | Discussion format centered around a particular topic. This is not a formal paper presentation session. Rather, the session should aim at stimulating interaction, debate, and discussion among roundtable participants and those in attendance |
| Workshop Sessions | Teaching and learning development format. Mostly pedagogical. Formal papers are not required. | • Session Abstract (350 words maximum) • Minimum 2/Maximum 4 Presenters • Chair (required) | Teaching and learning development format. Mostly pedagogical. Formal papers are not required. |
| (NEW IN 2025) Poster Session | A poster, made by the poster presenter, conveys a project’s key research findings. If your work lends itself to visual presentation—photographs, maps, material culture, or statistical evidence that can be presented graphically—think about proposing a poster. | 350-word abstract tailored to poster format | Preference is given to students or junior scholars. The presenter prepares the poster in advance and attends the formally scheduled poster session. AAS cannot assist in or advise on the preparation of the poster. |
| (NEW IN 2025) Panel Of “Lightning Talks” | A pre-organized session with 5-7 presenters, who each speak for no more than 5-7 minutes. Useful format for presenting around a certain theme, a new publication, celebrating a specific scholar, or exploring new methods of teaching or research. Panels of lightning talks offer an opportunity to feature more speakers who do not present fully developed individual papers but short provocations (or lightning talks) around a specific theme. | • Session abstract of 350 words • Chair (required) • 5-7 presenters (no abstracts required) | Session abstract may not exceed 350 words. Should explain the main theme or focus, and reference the method by which the timing-keeping will be done (e.g. PechaKucha style). |
| Individual Papers | Individual submission of a paper proposal. These submissions are not submitted as part of a panel. If accepted, the Program Committee will form panels (Individual Paper Sessions) composed of accepted Individual Paper submissions sharing similar topics and/or thematic content. | 250-word abstract | Generally, preference is given to students or junior scholars. Only 12-20 Individual Paper sessions are created each year. The acceptance rate is very low. Senior scholars should consider organizing or joining an organized panel proposal. |
Digital Technology Sessions
Digital Technology session types aim to provide space for cross-regional and cross-disciplinary discussions on such topics as digital archiving, integrating digital research in the university curriculum, introductory and advanced digital text and image analysis, and critical engagements with the digital turn—with a clear focus on the particularities of Asian languages and Asian societies.
To facilitate in-depth discussion and allow for audience interaction, panel formats consist of workshops, roundtables, and lightning talks only. Regular research papers on Digital Asia and digital research on Asian histories and literature should be submitted as Individual Papers or as part of Organized Panel Sessions.
| Type | Description | Requirements | Notes |
| Digital Technology Workshop | Workshops should focus on teaching image or text analytical methods for research on Asian source materials. | • Session Abstract • Maximum of 3 participants | |
| Digital Technology Roundtable | Discussion format centered around a particular topic. | • Session Abstract • 3-5 Discussants • Chair (required) | Session abstract may include a maximum of 350 words and should describe the viewpoint for each of the discussants. |
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Two-Part Panels
Organizers may submit “two-part” or “back-to-back” session proposals on related themes or topics. However, each proposal will be reviewed on its own merits. The Program Committee cannot guarantee acceptance of a series of sessions or specific scheduling requests for accepted “two-part” or “back-to-back” panels. If both parts are accepted, part 1 will be scheduled before part 2, but we cannot guarantee part 2 will be scheduled in the same room or the next time slot.
When submitting a two-part panel, please reference these format options:
Politics of Food in Global Asias-Part I: Gastronomic Grounding and Culinary Mobility
Politics of Food in Global Asias-Part II: Gastrodiplomacy and the Health of Nations
Bodies in Crisis: Imagining the Otherwise in Asia, Part 1
Bodies in Crisis: Imagining the Otherwise in Asia, Part 2
Submission Type Descriptions
All session types will be 1 hour and 30 minutes in length.
Click the types below to view the full descriptions.
ORGANIZED PANEL SESSIONS
This proposal type consists of formal paper presentations (3-4 papers) of 15 minutes each and a chair (moderator). Panels may also include a discussant.
This session proposal type is submitted by the session organizer as a complete session with all paper presentation abstracts and a chair to serve as the session moderator. The session chair briefly introduces the panelists, ensures panelists keep to their allotted presentation time, and moderates the Q&A when needed. Ensuring equal time for all presenters is essential, and chairs must be prepared to end a presentation that will clearly exceed the allotted time. All organized panel session proposals should include a chair role. Discussants are optional. The role of the discussant is to facilitate a discussion among the panelists and attendees.
Role Count Limit:
*Up to two (2) Organizers
*One (1) Chair
*Minimum three (3) / Maximum four (4) paper presentations. Each paper may include a co-author+.
*A maximum of two (2) discussants.
♦The abstracts provided for each prospective paper presentation are very important, but the overall panel abstract is of the greatest importance.♦
The exact configuration of paper presenters and discussants is left to your discretion. See the Innovative Session section for more information. It is the preference of the Program Committee to receive proposals that allow for a reasonable amount of time for discussion despite the panel format.
+Co-Authors: Co-authors are allowed for paper presentations. The application will allow the submitter to indicate whether the co-author is presenting or not presenting. Selecting “not presenting” allows the co-author to be acknowledged while also alerting the AAS whether the co-author will be in attendance and also presenting in person. A co-author may not be added AFTER the session or paper has been accepted; all names should appear on the original proposal submission.
Because co-authors are allowed, we do not list a specific number of paper presenters in a session, as that number can vary depending on the number of papers with co-authors. However, the maximum number of paper titles allowed on an organized panel is limited to FOUR (4). It is very possible that all four papers could have a co-author, resulting in a total of eight paper presenters. This is allowed.
ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS
A roundtable is a session format in which no formal papers are presented but engages speakers and the audience in interaction and exchange. This format provides participants with specific expertise to discuss issues or themes concerning a discipline, a relevant topic, or an Asian regional area with each other and with members of the audience. It would be an appropriate format for proposals to discuss important books that have been recently published.
Roundtable proposal applications should include a maximum of 350-word abstract that includes each discussant’s position on the topic being discussed. Roundtables should include one (1) chair, a minimum of three (3), and a maximum of five (5) discussants.
Organizers may submit “two-part” or “back-to-back” session proposals on related themes or topics, but each proposal will be reviewed to its own merits. The Program Committee cannot guarantee acceptance of a panel series or specific scheduling requests for accepted “two-part” or “back-to-back” panels.
WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Workshops are sessions relating to teaching and professional development, with a special emphasis on the development of new skills. Workshops might focus on a number of issues: language pedagogy, the use of instructional technology in the classroom, new tools for research, tips on publishing a first book, or the exchange of syllabi. Sessions may contain paper presentations or follow a more informal roundtable format, but in all cases, they should allow considerable time for discussion and the exchange of ideas. We encourage affiliated groups and committees that have previously conducted workshops or seminar-type presentations as “Meetings-in-Conjunction” to submit formal proposals within the Workshop category.
Organizers may submit “two-part” or “back-to-back” session proposals on related themes or topics, but each proposal will be reviewed on its own merits. The Program Committee cannot guarantee acceptance of a panel series or specific scheduling requests for accepted “two-part” or “back-to-back” panels.
PANEL OF LIGHTNING TALKS (NEW IN 2025)
Panels of lightning talks offer an opportunity to feature more speakers who do not present fully developed individual papers but short provocations (or lightning talks) around a specific theme. The theme could be a recent methodological innovation or a publication, feature a specific author or teacher, or invite respondents from across a range of disciplines.
This panel follows PechaKucha style format, where each presenter has five minutes to present their paper and research, followed by five minutes of feedback or Q&A. It will be the responsibility of the panel chair to keep time. The format features up to eight presenters, and a chair.
Session abstract may not exceed 350 words. Should explain the main theme or focus, and reference the method by which the timing-keeping will be done (e.g. PechaKucha style). The coherence of the presentations and the significance of the theme will have to be explained by the panel organizer in the 350-word panel abstract.
POSTER PRESENTATION (NEW IN 2025)
If your work lends itself to visual presentations, photographs, maps, material culture, or statistical evidence that can be presented graphically—think about proposing a poster. This option may suit those at an early stage in their research, presentation of certain research methods or technologies, and presentations that include digital and visual materials.
Posters encourage one-on-one conversation between presenters and their audience and are particularly helpful to scholars seeking feedback on work in progress. Poster presentations are scheduled presentations at which posters are displayed in a space where presenters can be in attendance and explain their ongoing research findings.
There will be a maximum number of poster presentations, depending on the available space and scheduling constraints. Posters may also be presented by groups, collaborators, and those already appearing in another role on the program, though preference will be given to those not yet appearing elsewhere on the program.
A poster presentation is the equivalent of a paper presentation and an individual may not present a paper in an organized panel session and present a poster.
INDIVIDUAL PAPERS (click here to view full details)
THE AAS DOES NOT POST A LIST OF SESSIONS/TOPICS FOR INDIVIDUAL PAPER APPLICANTS TO APPLY TO FOR CONSIDERATION.
Individuals who have not connected with colleagues to organize or join a panel, roundtable, or workshop proposal, but who have a paper they would like to present on any topic or subject matter relevant to the study of Asia, may submit a paper abstract for consideration.
Individuals should be prepared to enter the following information with the Individual Paper proposal:
When submitting an Individual Paper proposal, a 250-word (maximum) abstract of the paper is required. Please note: The AAS does not require uploading or submitting the completed paper at the time of the proposal submission, nor does it collect the full paper prior to the conference.
While any person may submit a proposal for an Individual Paper presentation, strong preference is given to those submitted by advanced graduate students or those who have completed their PhDs in the last two or three years. The intellectual quality of the abstract is the prime selection criterion for proposals. Those who present an individual paper one year are not eligible to submit in the Individual Paper category in the following year. Once assigned to a session, individual paper presenters may not change to another session.
The AAS Program Committee adheres to the following format in reviewing Individual Paper proposals:
(1) Each individual paper proposal is reviewed and scored.
(2) Individual paper proposals receiving a high score are then further reviewed as a group to determine if sufficient highly ranked papers are centered around a specific topic (these may be cross-disciplinary or cross-cultural) to form a cohesive session.
(3) If the Program Committee successfully forms cohesive sessions with individual paper proposal submissions, the selected papers will be accepted for inclusion in the formal program.
(4) The panel chair, typically a Program Committee member, will request copies of the papers to be presented in advance of the conference and will contact each paper presenter with the information regarding the panel format (i.e., presentation order, presentation time length, etc.). Panel members will also be required to exchange papers ahead of time so that they can read and develop linking comments or questions about each other’s work.
There are a limited number of slots available and created for the Annual Conference; each session will have 4-6 papers.
The above process can result in a highly-scored paper ultimately being rejected due to a lack of fit within the formal program. We do not add Individual Papers to accepted Organized Panel sessions.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING INDIVIDUAL PAPER ACCEPTANCE RATES (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)
There are a limited number of Individual Papers accepted (less than 20%). The Program Committee considers the AAS Annual Conference to be primarily a session-based conference, and thus, the acceptance rate for individual paper abstract proposals is much lower than that for Organized, Roundtable, or Workshop session proposals (approx. 72%). For example, during the 2024 CFP, we received 924 Individual Paper proposal submissions. One-hundred and sixty (160) Individual Papers were accepted to create 25 Individual Paper Sessions. We strongly encourage working with colleagues to join or form an organized session for consideration.
To help increase your odds of acceptance to present at the AAS Annual Conference, we have established a forum for individuals interested in connecting with others to form an organized panel session or to join a session that is currently in the development stages. Click here to join the community and post about your interest in joining or organizing a session.
The committee would like to remind junior scholars that AAS Regional Conferences are the ideal place to submit individual paper proposals and meet like-minded scholars interested in collaborating on organized panel proposals for the following year’s Annual Conference. For complete information about AAS Regional Conferences, visit the Regional Conferences page at our website.
