Center for Asian Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder

04/30/2026

The CAS recognition ceremony is Friday at 5:30pm in the Chancellor's Hall!

04/21/2026

Thanks to all who joined us for the CAS 15th annual Asia Symposium on Friday, April 17th!

04/14/2026

Join us for the 15th annual Asia Symposium: Gender, Sexuality, and Intimacies in Asia
Friday, April 17th
Center for British and Irish Studies, 5th Floor, Norlin Library

Symposium Schedule

10:45a - 11:30a Reception

11:30a - 11:45a Welcoming Remarks with Rachel Rinaldo, CAS Faculty Director and John Masserini, Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at Metropolitan State University in Denver.

11:45a - 1:15p Gender, Sexuality, and Cultural Life in Asia
Domestic Violence in a Changing Landscape in Vietnam Lynne Kwiatkowski, Colorado State University
Q***r Futures in Okinawa: On Miyagi Futoshi’s American Boyfriend Project Daryl Maude, CU Boulder
Domestic Nationalism: Muslim Women, Health and Modernity in Indonesia Chiara Formichi, Cornell University
Commodification of Intimacy in the K-pop World Stephanie Choi, CU Boulder
Moderated by Carla Jones, CU Boulder

1:15 Remarks by Daryl Maeda, Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, CU Boulder

1:45p - 3:15p Feminist Struggles and Social Movements in and beyond Asia
The Forced Disappearance of Enforced Disappearances in Kashmir Ather Zia, University of Northern Colorado
Is Climate Change Increasing Child Marriage? Amanda Carrico, CU Boulder
Sanctioning States, Silencing Speech: Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom Movement and the Challenges of Transnational Feminist Solidarity, A. Marie Ranjbar, CU Boulder
Coming of (r)age in Pakistan: Exploring the Aurat March and its afterlives Sana Malik, University of Denver
Moderated by Shae Frydenlund, CU Boulder

Keynote Address

3:30p - 4:30p Intimate Placemaking: Women, Care, and Community After Displacement
Shenila Khoja-Moolji, Georgetown University

Across Asia, the realm of gender, sexuality, and intimate relationships is shifting rapidly. New articulations of gender and sexuality have emerged, often in conversation with both local and Western categories. Women and sexual minorities have pushed for greater empowerment but in some countries, counter-movements are contesting hard-won rights. Changes in marriage and family and intimate life are generating political debates and contestations across the region. This year's theme will explore the flux of gender, sexuality, and intimate life across Asia, from both historical and contemporary perspective. We seek to highlight phenomena such as gender and sexuality related social movements, cultural expression, migration, work and labor, family and household life, law and politics, and regional/transnational connections.

04/07/2026

From Boulder to Southeast Asia:
A Global Career Conversation with Rick Vargo
Wednesday, April 8
3:30-4:45pm
Humanities 135

Join us for a conversation with CU Boulder alumnus Rick Vargo, former CEO of Singlife, a leading insurance company in Southeast Asia. Drawing on his experience leading a major international firm, Rick will share insights into global business, career pathways abroad, and what it’s like to live and work in Asia.

This is a unique opportunity for students interested in international business, Asia, and global careers to engage directly, ask questions, and learn from an accomplished industry leader.

Co-Sponsored by CU Denver’s Institute for International Business and the International Affairs Program at CU Boulder.

03/31/2026

Today is the final day of Buffs All In—and there’s still time to make your impact for the Center for Asian Studies.

Your gift will help to expand support for students, events such as talks and symposia, and excellence in Asian studies at Colorado. Every contribution — of any amount — moves us closer to our collective goal.

Thanks to you, the Center for Asian Studies has already unlocked our challenge donation from Professor Dennis McGilvray!

If you’ve been meaning to participate, this is the moment. Every gift counts.

Thank you for being part of the momentum and for supporting the future of the Center for Asian Studies.

Give Now! https://giveto.colorado.edu/schools/UniversityofColoradoBoulder/buffs-all-in/pages/CAS

03/18/2026

🗓️April 16 from 7:00–8:30 PM at Macky Auditorium.

We are honored to welcome Malala Yousafzai as the closing speaker for the Conference on World Affairs (CWA) 2026 — and now’s your chance to be part of the conversation.

We’ll be selecting student-submitted questions to ask live during her closing session. Submit your question by April 1 for the opportunity to hear it answered on stage.
CWA registration opens March 12.

➡ ️ Drop your question using the link below!
https://www.colorado.edu/lead/form/ask-a-question-at-cwa

02/04/2026

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 11:30am to 1:30pm MST
Tivoli Turnhalle, Tivoli Student Union, Auraria Campus, Denver
Ring in the Lunar New Year with a vibrant celebration of culture, tradition, and community! Join us for an exciting event filled with live performances, delicious food, and hands-on crafts. Enjoy traditional music and dance, savor flavorful dishes from various Asian cultures, and get creative with crafts that celebrate the season. Whether you're honoring the traditions or simply enjoying the festivities, this event is the perfect way to celebrate the start of a new year with family, friends, and the MSU Denver community!

02/02/2026

https://www.colorado.edu/cas/university-colorado-boulder-asian-studies-graduate-associations-cubasga-annual-conference-0207

Co-Sponsored by The CU Cultural Events Board, Asian Languages and Civilizations, CU Student Government, the Asian Studies Graduate Association, and the Center for Asian Studies.

01/27/2026

We’re excited to be partnering with the Conference on World Affairs and the Center for Leadership to host this extraordinary event in April!

In partnership with the Center for Leadership and the Center for Asian Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, we’re honored to announce Malala Yousafzai as the closing speaker for the Conference on World Affairs (CWA).

Malala will close CWA with a powerful conversation centered on hope, resilience and impact. We hope you can join us for this special evening. Ticket information coming soon!

Get early access to CWA ↓
https://bit.ly/3Nskxig

01/23/2026

Geography Colloquium: An Indigenous Geopoetics for the Apocalypse
Friday, January 30, 2026 3:35pm to 5pm
Guggenheim Geography, 205