Asia Theories Network

The Asia Theories Network (ATN) is a global scholarly network functioning as a platform for exchanges and collaborations among humanities and interpretive social science scholars in Asia and other parts of the world.

ATN was initiated by several associated groups of Asian critical theory scholars who were concerned with the epistemological, cultural, and socio-political changes and possibilities of Asia in the contemporary age of globalization. They also formed collaborative relationships with institutions and organizations, including National Taiwan University, the University of California, Seoul National University, the University of Tokyo, Ateneo de Manila University, and others. The core scholars and institutes jointly proposed and established ATN in 2017, and have been cooperating in the administration of the network since. Hung-chiung Li (National Taiwan University) and David Theo Goldberg (University of California, Irvine) are currently the coordinators of ATN; the advisory board consists of prominent scholars from participating societies.

ATN is committed to (critical) theory studies of Asia-related subjects. The disciplines and fields ATN covers encompass critical theory, Asian and comparative literatures, art, philosophy, Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, STS (Science, Technology and Society), and social and political theories. Our main goals include:

1. Assembling local, regional, and international communities of scholars concerned with the creation, interpretation, and elaboration of (critical) theories as they are practiced in and apply to Asia and larger global Asias;
2. Fostering dialogue between (critical) theories of the Western, Asian, and global humanities;
3. Incubating and developing new paradigms in the study of (critical) theories as created and practiced in Asia/global Asias;
4. Enhancing intellectual exchanges between Asia and the West/Global North as well as the Global South, especially concerning the emerging socio-cultural aspects of contemporary Asia.

ATN initiates, conducts, coordinates, orchestrates and participates in variegated projects in relation to its goals, including meetings, exchanges, residences, researches, networkings, platforms and publications. It keeps organizing conferences, workshops, forums, camps and other activities at partner venues, including Taiwan, US, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and Poland.