The RSCS programme examines the history, sociology and anthropology of national and transnational processes within Southeast Asia. RSCS is concerned with ethnographic practices in contemporary histories, nation-building, civil society and religion, cultural globalisation and identity-making, transnational movements, democratisation and multiculturalism, and contemporary politics in Southeast Asia. The programme adopts qualitative and quantitative methods and comparative approaches in its studies.
The programme publishes the internationally-refereed SOJOURN thrice a year. The journal is an interdisciplinary journal devoted to the study of social and cultural issues in Southeast Asia. Areas of special concern include ethnicity, religion, tourism, urbanisation, migration, popular culture, social and cultural change, and development.
Projects
Religion in Southeast Asia
The projects under this theme examine the impact of religious growth and revival on multicultural and multi-religious societies and their role in shaping politics and public debates. They analyse, among others, the role of religious elites, religious movements, religious education, and new modes of religious transmission. Currently, it is building its focus on Islamic trends in the region and expanding its interest in Christianity and Buddhism.
For more information, please contact the Coordinators, Dr Norshahril Saat and Dr Terence Chong.
China and Southeast Asian Society
This project seeks to monitor and understand the extent to which China’s political and cultural influence is impacting Southeast Asia, overseas Chinese and new Chinese migrants in the region. Some themes include the growth of Chinese popular culture, the impact of Chinese tourists on local economies, Chinese migrant workers in Southeast Asia, and the transformation of Chinese religions in mainland Southeast Asia.
For more information, please contact the Coordinator, Professor Leo Suryadinata.
Youth and Civic Engagement
The project critically analyses the religious and political behaviour of youths in Southeast Asia. Covering several countries in the region, this project examines how youths articulate their interests and aspirations, negotiate religion, politics and emerging digital trends, and explores cross-state engagements and interactions. The project also hopes to survey the extent to which Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism shape the social, political and cultural lives of those between the ages 15 to 35.
For more information, please contact the Coordinators, Dr Iim Halimatusa’diyah and Dr Norshahril Saat.
Social Inequality and the Urban Poor in Southeast Asia
This project adopts a sociological and anthropological approach to better understand the social behaviour of the underclass in Southeast Asia’s urban centres. In the post-COVID-19 pandemic era, new forms of economic and social struggles have been observed among the urban poor. This project traces how they grapple with the social assistance provided by states, their jobs, housing needs, educational attainment, as well as access to healthcare services and other basic needs.
For more information, please contact the Coordinator, Dr Norshahril Saat.
SOJOURN
For matters relating to SOJOURN, please contact the Managing Editor, Professor Hui Yew-Foong.
Researchers
Programme Coordinator
Dr Norshahril Saat
Current Researchers
Dr Terence Chong [DCE]
Professor Leo Suryadinata (Project Coordinator)
Dr Iim Halimatusa’diyah (Project Coordinator)
Professor Hui Yew-Foong (SOJOURN Managing Editor)
Research Officers
Ms Afra Alatas
Ms Dorcas Gan
Ms Gwendolyn Yap
Mr Hasyir Hamid
Ms Rebecca Neo
Visiting Fellows [Between 2020 – 2023]
Dr A’an Suryana
Dr Andrew Ong
Dr Aranya Siriphon
Professor Chang-Yau Hoon
Dr Daungyewa Utarasint
Dr Mohd Faizal Musa
Dr Kevin S.Y Tan
Professor Kuah Khun Eng
Dr Ahmad Muhajir
Dr Oliver Tappe
Dr Sivarin Lertpusit
Dr Siti Mazidah Mohamad
Dr Vannarith Chheang
Current Associate Fellows
Dr Jason Lim
Dr Ross Tapsell
Dr Veronica L. Gregorio
Wang Gungwu Fellows [Between 2020 – 2023]
Dr Courtney T. Wittekind
Mr Jackie Wong Siu Hei
