A Letter from the Director: Fall 2023

Happy 5th Anniversary to AADS!!

Welcome to the academic year 2023-24, a significant milestone for AADS as we proudly commemorate our 5-year journey as a program. Back in 2018, the inception of AADS was a response to decades of impassioned student activism and resounding calls for the inclusion of Asian American Studies at Duke. This remarkable journey has been made possible by the community of unwavering support, brought together by the collective efforts of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. I am profoundly grateful to every contributor who has played an integral role in our narrative, and I extend a heartfelt invitation to all to partake in the celebrations of this momentous anniversary. 

My gratitude extends particularly to our alumni, whose benevolent contributions have served as the bedrock upon which we've built our accomplishments. Their enduring support and encouragement have enabled us to launch the Undergraduate Research Fellowships initiative. Through the generosity of these contributions, we have empowered undergraduates to embark on research ventures in Asian American and Diaspora Studies at Duke University. You can learn more about the Undergraduate Research Fellowships here.

My goal this year is to deepen our collective knowledge of Asian American Studies and to address key issues that resonate profoundly in our community. On September 8, we will begin with a Brown Bag session on Affirmative Action, featuring the insightful research by Dr. Calvin Cheung-Miaw, who led the drafting of the Statement on Affirmative Action by AADS faculty. On September 22, please join me at the AADS Fall Symposium that will feature top scholars who will speak about the current research on the intersections between Medical Humanities and Asian American Studies. You are welcome to attend any part of the symposium, including the keynote by Dr. James Kyung-Jin Lee that will be followed by a reception. For the month of October, mark your calendars for two invited lectures that deserve your attention: Dr. Naoko Shibusawa on October 20 and Dr. Takeo Rivera on October 27, both from 3 to 4:30pm. 

Feel free to reach out to me with questions, ideas, and opportunities for collaboration. I warmly extend my wishes for a year filled with lasting personal and intellectual growth and transformative learning experiences.