Trinity Centre for Asian Studies

30/10/2026

"East Meets West: Encounters in the History of Writing" Symposium is our next

international academic event commemorating Andrew West’s contribution to the study of languages, historical writing systems and manuscript traditions.

🗓️ Thursday, 28 January 2027 | 9:00 am–5:00 pm
📍 Royal Irish Academy (RIA), Dublin 2

🎟️ Register to help us finalise catering arrangements:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/east-meets-west-encounters-in-the-history-of-writing-tickets-2004076143694

We will bring together scholars from Ireland and the international academic community to explore the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of different civilisations, with particular emphasis on Ogham, Khitan, and Tangut writing traditions.

It aims to promote scholarly exchange, cultural preservation and mutual understanding between civilisations.

Eight academic presentations will be featured, focusing on early European writing traditions and Chinese and Inner Asian languages and scripts.

Co-hosted by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), and the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies (TCAS).

Jointly organised by Professor Nathan Hill ( Trinity College Dublin) and Professor David Stifter (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies)



Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation

30/10/2026

29/10/2026

In the last week Trinity College Dublin has welcomed a Delegation from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and 中国社会科学院大学 University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS).

The delegation was led by Mr Zhao Rui, Vice President of CASS, and included

Professor Feng Shizheng, Rector of UCASS, along with senior representatives from the Bureau of International Cooperation and the Institute of European Studies.

What Happened during the Visit?

The visit began with a lunch hosted by Professor Alan O'Connor, Vice President for Global Engagement, followed by an academic engagement session organised by the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies (TCAS).

Strengthening Academic and Research Collaboration:

This session was hosted by Professor Nathan Hill, Head and Director of the TCD School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences

Prof Carmel O’Sullivan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social

Sciences, welcomed the delegation on behalf of TCD, followed by remarks from Mr Zhao Rui, Vice President of CASS, and Prof Feng Shizheng, Rector of UCASS.

It was a great opportunity for representatives of Trinity, CASS and

UCASS to explore collaboration in Chinese Studies, linguistics, Asian Studies, the humanities and social sciences, as well as opportunities for academic mobility, joint research and interdisciplinary engagement.

Prof Sinéad Ryan, Trinity Dean of Research, also welcomed the delegation and discussed opportunities for future research cooperation.

Signing of Visiting Scholar Programme Agreement:

The agreement was signed by Prof Nathan Hill, Director of TCAS, and

Professor Feng Shizheng, Rector of UCASS, in the presence of Mr Zhao Rui, Vice President of CASS; Professor Carmel O’Sullivan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Professor Sinéad Ryan, Dean of Research; and other members of the visiting delegation.

Under the agreement, the two institutions will exchange visiting scholars for one semester or one academic year.

IT establishes a framework for sustained academic mobility and

provides a foundation for further research collaboration, scholarly exchange and institutional cooperation.

The signing builds on earlier engagement between the institutions, including

Professor Hill's visit to UCASS in September 2026, during which discussions

explored potential collaboration in Chinese Studies, Chinese linguistics, classical studies and historical writing systems.

Looking Ahead:

Following the academic engagement session, the delegation visited the Book of

Kells Experience, gaining an insight into Trinity's historic collections and cultural heritage.

This has been a significant development in the relationship

between Trinity College Dublin and UCASS, creating new opportunities for academic exchanges, collaborative research and engagement across disciplines.

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23/10/2026

22/10/2026

Join us in celebrating the Launch of Southeast Asian Studies at Trinity College Dublin!

On Monday, 19 October 2026, the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies welcomed ambassadors, diplomats, academics and distinguished guests to mark a new chapter in the University's engagement with Southeast Asia.

We marked the event with a special reception in the Senior Common Room to celebrate the launch of Southeast Asian Studies at Trinity College Dublin.

The event brought together representatives from diplomatic missions, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, academic institutions, cultural organisations, and the wider Trinity community to mark this important milestone in the University's development of Asian Studies.

Professor Nathan Hill, Director of the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies and Head of the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, chaired the formal proceedings.

Professor Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, delivered an address to mark the occasion, followed by Phillip Henderson, Director of the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation.

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation's generous support made the establishment of Southeast Asian Studies at Trinity possible, including funding the new Southeast Asian Studies initiative and appointing an Assistant Professor in Southeast Asian Studies at TCAS.

This philanthropic support represents a significant investment in the University's capacity for teaching, research and engagement with the region.

The launch marks an important step in broadening Trinity's academic engagement with Southeast Asia, creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching and research, language and cultural studies, and international collaboration.

Ambassadors and/or representatives from Embassy of Malaysia Dublin, Ireland, Philippine Embassy in Ireland and the Viet Nam Embassy in Ireland

Following the formal proceedings, guests enjoyed a reception featuring a live performance of traditional Southeast Asian music.

It was a wonderful opportunity for diplomats, researchers, students, and community partners to exchange ideas, strengthen existing relationships, and explore future collaboration opportunities.

The launch also highlighted the importance of partnerships and philanthropic support in advancing Asian Studies at Trinity.

Members of the TCAS Advisory Council, scholarship supporters and students joined the celebration, reflecting the wider community that continues to contribute to the Centre's development.

The Trinity Centre for Asian Studies looks forward to building on this milestone by strengthening academic and cultural connections with Southeast Asia and fostering new opportunities for research, education and international engagement.



Trinity Business School
Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research InstituteTrinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation

21/10/2026

Always a balm for the soul

21/10/2026

Join us for a talk on "Neither Marriage Nor Solitude, A Third Way: How South Korean Women Are Redefining Family"

Featuring Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo, authors of Two Women Living Together

🗓️ Friday, 6th November 2026, 3.30 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
📍 Neill Lecture Theatre,
Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute

Register here :
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tcas-book-talk-two-women-living-together-tickets-2003702207240?aff=oddtdtcreator

Two women and four cats live in a Seoul apartment. Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo pooled their loans to buy a home, establishing a brand-new living community.

W2W: Two Women Living Together, a record of this "molecular family" bound by neither marriage nor blood, resonated deeply in East Asia and is now reaching Western readers.

In a country with the world’s lowest birth rate, how are women choosing to live amid a patriarchal culture and a rigid welfare system? This book explores the expanding definition of family through honest stories of shared life, caregiving, friendship, and community.

ABOUT Kim Hana, Author & Podcaster:

Kim formerly worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency and introduced countless books and authors to readers as the host of a major bookstore's book podcast.

She is the author of The Golden Bell, which explores the deep joy of reading classic literature, and Speaking About Speaking, a guide on expressing one's existence by finding a voice in the world.

With Hwang Sunwoo, she produces and hosts the podcast W2W: Two Women Talking, which connects with listeners in 184 countries worldwide.

ABOUT Hwang Sunwoo Author & Podcaster.

Hwang built a long career as an editor for the fashion magazine W Korea. She recently published Instead of Telling Me to Smile: Kimchi, an essay collection that explores identity through the country's rich food culture.

Her other works include the interview collection If You're Cool, You're an Unnie, and the essay collections Anyway, Recorder and If You Do Your Best, You Die. She co-produces and hosts the podcast W2W: Two Women Talking with Kim Hana.

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Co-hosted by:
TCAS and
Korean Embassy in Ireland
Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation(TCLCT)

18/10/2026

All are Welcome
in Ireland (Embassy of India, Dublin)Swami Shantivratananda

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

On 2 October 2026, our Centre for Asian Studies (TCAS) welcomed H.E. Ms Ellen Jooyeon Kang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ireland, for a visit and meeting with Professor Nathan Hill, Director of TCAS.

Ambassador Woon-Ki LYEO, a Visiting Researcher at Trinity Business School, also attended.

In welcoming Ambassador Kang, Professor Hill expressed his appreciation for the continued support and engagement of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea with TCAS.

During the meeting, participants exchanged views on opportunities for further collaboration between TCAS and the Korean Embassy in Ireland, including future academic and cultural events.

Discussions included a proposed workshop on the “2027 Outlook for the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia,” which would examine developments concerning North Korea and their implications for the changing regional strategic landscape.

The meeting also discussed the forthcoming Korean literature reading event, being developed in collaboration with the Embassy, as well as possibilities for further academic and cultural initiatives.

It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen connections with the Embassy and to explore further opportunities for academic, cultural and intellectual exchange between Ireland and Korea.

We look forward to continuing our engagement with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and developing further opportunities for collaboration.