On the afternoon of October 23rd, 2020, the 3rd session of “Area Studies Across the Boundaries: Southeast Asian Studies” Lecture Series hosted by Institute of International and Area Studies, Tsinghua University (IIAS-THU) kicked off. Prof. Cao Yin, Associate Professor in the Department of History at Tsinghua University, delivered an online lecture entitled “Transcending Area Studies in the Bay of Bengal” to more than 10 faculty members and students at IIAS, in addition to over 30 external participants.

The lecture was comprised of two sections. First of all, Prof. Cao shared his personal experience in Southeast Asia, illustrating the diversity and reality in the Bay of Bengal. Next, he pointed out a few concerns and suggested solutions in the status quo of area studies in China. He commented that to study a modern or contemporary phenomenon or figure, it is advisable to explore it in a long-span context. Prof. Cao also stressed the importance of field studies and dialogue with locals. Later, Wang Lingqi, a doctorate candidate at IIAS, conveyed his comments on the event.

In the Q&A session, Prof. Cao and the audience engaged in a more in-depth discussion on how to improve area studies and shared their insights.

With PhD in History from the National University of Singapore, Prof. Cao is currently Associate Professor in the Department of History at Tsinghua University and Cyrus Tang Young Scholar. His research interest includes modern and contemporary history of South Asia, world history and the history of Sino-Indian relations. He is the author of From Policemen to Revolutions: A Sikh Diaspora in Global Shanghai, 1885-1945 (Leiden: Brill, 2017).

By: Qin Yi