More than 150 delegates from across the Asia Pacific social science community met in Seoul on 14 and 15 June for the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils (AASSREC) 25th Biennial Conference. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of AASSREC, Past, Present and Future of Social Sciences in Asia, the Academy was represented by International Secretary Professor Fleur Johns, along with Academy Fellow Hugh White and Michelle Bruce, Director of Fellowship, International and Awards. Professor White presented on the responsibilities of social sciences in an era of great power rivalry and participated in a panel discussion on the challenges and roles for think tanks in the Asia Pacific. Read more on the event, find program details or watch conference sessions at this link.
New Executive
Members of AASSREC elected a new Executive Council during the conference with the Academy renewing its commitment to host the AASSREC Secretariat and welcoming the re-election of Michelle Bruce as Secretary-General. Along with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (President), the Korean Social Science Research Council (First Vice-President), and the National Research of Thailand (Second Vice-President) the new Executive Council will oversee AASSREC activities over the next two years. We welcome the appointment of the Academy’s Fleur Johns as Chair of AASSREC’s new Policy and Strategy Committee.
Top priorities
Among AASSREC’s top priorities in coming years are ways to increase and diversify revenue for more sustainable support, both of the Association and for social science capacity building in the Asia Pacific. Other key projects are the AASSREC Mentoring Initiative, the development of the Asia Pacific Social Science Journal Directory and planning a program for the next general conference to be held in India in 2025. We hope to see you there!