With generous support from the Henry Luce Foundation to establish a Global Asia Hub at NYU Shanghai and to promote the teaching of Asia in Asia, the Center for Global Asia invites applications from faculty at Asian institutions to take part in a three-day faculty development workshop on Global Asia(s). The workshop will be held at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, from 13 to 15 January 2027, and will be led by Professor Tina Chen (Pennsylvania State University) and Professor David Ludden (New York University).

The workshop responds to a growing interest in teaching about Asia as an open-ended spatial concept, including the wide world of Asian migration and globalization, rather than as a closed collection of discrete national territories and cultural areas. Its aim is to help participants design and strengthen courses that treat Asia relationally, including across the Indian Ocean, the South China Sea, and the overland routes that have long bound its regions to one another and to the wider world. Over three days, participants will work with the conveners and with one another to rethink syllabi, share pedagogical approaches, and develop teaching materials suited to their own institutional settings.

We anticipate that participants will contribute to the Global Asia Hub’s teaching network following the workshop. Including, for example, by sharing revised syllabi or teaching materials, or by taking part in follow-up meetings.

Who should apply
The workshop is open to faculty based at institutions in Asia who are currently teaching, or preparing to teach, courses on Asia, including the Indian Ocean world. We welcome applicants at any career stage and from any relevant discipline in the humanities and social sciences. Applications are particularly encouraged from faculty seeking to introduce a transregional or Global Asia(s) dimension into existing courses, or to build new courses of this kind. Applicants who have not yet taught a course on Asia are welcome; in such cases the cover letter and teaching statement should convey the shape of the course you intend to develop.

What the award covers
Ten faculty will be selected. Each participant will receive round-trip economy airfare to Singapore and four nights’ lodging (the nights of 12, 13, 14, and 15 January), together with meals during the workshop and ground transport in Singapore. Participants are expected to attend all three days in full.

How to apply
Applications should include:

1. 1. A cover letter describing your teaching experience and your current or planned courses on Asia
   2. A two-page CV
   3. One or two syllabi for relevant courses, whether taught or in preparation
   4. A teaching statement (one to two pages) explaining how the workshop would strengthen your existing or future teaching
   5. Completed application form

Applications will be assessed on the clarity of the applicant’s teaching plans, the fit between those plans and the workshop’s Global Asia(s) focus, and the likely benefit of participation to the applicant’s teaching.

Please complete the application form and submit it, together with the documents above, as a single PDF to workshop.faculty.development@gmail.com by 1 October 2026. Selected participants will be notified no later than 31 October 2026.

FAQs

About the Workshop
What is the workshop?
A three-day faculty development workshop on teaching Global Asia(s), held at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, from 13 to 15 January 2027. It is led by Professor Tina Chen (Pennsylvania State University) and Professor David Ludden (New York University), and supported by the Henry Luce Foundation through the Center for Global Asia’s Global Asia Hub at NYU Shanghai.

What will the three days consist of?
Participants will work with the conveners and with one another to rethink syllabi, share pedagogical approaches, and develop teaching materials suited to their own institutional settings, with a view to about Asia as an open-ended spatial concept, including the wide world of Asian migration and globalization, rather than as a closed collection of discrete national territories and cultural areas.

Is this a research workshop?
No. Its focus is teaching. Applicants are asked about their courses and teaching plans rather than their research programmes.

In what language is the workshop conducted?
English. Application materials should also be in English.

Eligibility
Who may apply?
Faculty based at institutions in Asia who are currently teaching, or preparing to teach, courses on Asia, including the Indian Ocean world.

Does the workshop favour a particular discipline?
No. Applications are welcome from any relevant discipline in the humanities and social sciences.

Does it favour a particular career stage?
No. Applicants at any career stage are welcome. Applications are particularly encouraged from faculty seeking to bring a transregional or Global Asia(s) dimension into existing courses, or to build new courses of this kind.

I have not yet taught a course on Asia. May I still apply?
Yes. Applicants who have not yet taught such a course are welcome; in that case, your cover letter and teaching statement should convey the shape of the course you intend to develop.

I am based at an institution outside Asia. Am I eligible?
No. Eligibility is determined by affiliation with an institution in Asia.

Do I need to be a citizen of an Asian country?
No. Eligibility rests on your institutional affiliation, not your citizenship.

What the award covers
How many participants will be selected?
Ten.

What does the award include?
Round-trip economy airfare to Singapore, four nights’ accommodation, meals during the workshop, and ground transport in Singapore. Please note that participants must purchase their own tickets, and pay for their ground transport, which will be reimbursed after the workshop. Accommodation will be booked by NTU.

What is not covered?
Costs beyond those listed above (for example, visa processing fees, airport transfers in your home city, travel insurance, or personal expenses) are your own responsibility.

Which four nights of accommodation are provided?
Accommodation is provided for the days of the workshop, allowing arrival the day before and departure the day after. The exact dates are 12, 13, 14, and15 January 2027.

I would need to arrive earlier or stay longer. Is that possible?
You are welcome to make your own arrangements for additional nights at your own cost.

Is there an honorarium or stipend?
No. The award covers travel and workshop costs only.

Applying
What must the application include?
A completed application form; a cover letter describing your teaching experience and your current or planned courses on Asia; a two-page CV; one or two syllabi for relevant courses, whether taught or in preparation; and a teaching statement of one to two pages explaining how the workshop would strengthen your existing or future teaching.

What if my course is still in preparation and I have no finished syllabus?
A draft or outline syllabus is acceptable. The cover letter and teaching statement carry particular weight for applicants whose courses are still taking shape.

How are applications assessed?
On the clarity of your teaching plans, the fit between those plans and the workshop’s Global Asia focus, and the likely benefit of participation to your teaching.

How should I submit my application?
Combine the form and all supporting documents into a single PDF and send it to workshop.faculty.development@gmail.com. Please name the file Surname_Given name_FacultyDevelopmentWorkshop 2027.

Should my referees or department send anything separately?
No. The application requires no letters of reference. Everything is submitted by the applicant in one PDF.

Do I need my institution’s approval to apply?
Approval is not required to apply, but participation involves three full days away, so you are encouraged to confirm that you can be released for those dates before accepting a place.

Timeline and Participation
When are applications due?
1 October 2026.

When will I hear the outcome?
Selected participants will be notified no later than 31 October 2026.

Must I attend all three days?
Yes. Participants are expected to attend all three days in full.

What is expected of me after the workshop?
Participants are expected to contribute to the Global Asia Hub’s teaching network afterwards — for example, by sharing revised syllabi or teaching materials, or by taking part in a follow-up meeting.

Will feedback be given to applicants who are not selected?
No, unfortunately, only selected participants will be informed.

Whom do I contact with further questions?
Professor Tansen Sen at workshop.faculty.development@gmail.com.