Asian Studies Center at Michigan State University

09/02/2026

Applications for the 2027–2028 Luce Scholars Program are now open!

The Henry Luce Foundation Scholars Program provides an in-depth experience in Asia to emerging leaders who would not otherwise have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the country where they are placed.

- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Applicants may be graduating seniors, recent graduates, or young professionals under the age of 33 at the time they depart for Asia who have earned at least a bachelor’s degree before the start of the Program.
- Applicants who have spent a total of six consecutive months or more than one cumulative year within the past five years in only one of the countries where we place Luce Scholars may still apply; however, they will not be placed in the country where they have spent significant time.

Those with a total of six consecutive months or more than one cumulative year within the past five years in more than one Luce placement country within the past five years are not eligible.
Eligibility FAQs

Apply by September 8, 2026: https://lucescholars.org/selection/

09/02/2026

PeaceWorks on Campus: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 5-6:30 p.m., James Madison College Library, 332 Case Hall.
**This event is limited to current MSU students, staff, faculty, and administrators. It is not open to the public.**

Join PeaceWorks on Campus for a powerful conversation with Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilders who are challenging the status quo and working toward a better future. Bringing firsthand experience and deep insight from the ground, these peacebuilders will share their vision for coexistence and discuss how emerging leaders in the United States can help uplift and support their efforts. This is a unique opportunity to hear personal stories, ask questions, and explore meaningful ways to engage in dialogue on this topic.

Co-sponsors: The Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel, College ofArts and Letters, James Madison College, College of Social Science, International Studies and Programs,Asian Studies Center, Department of History, and MOSAIC Center for Education and Outreach

08/28/2026

Join Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) alumni and staff next week to learn about study abroad opportunities in Japan, hear from JCMU alumni, meet Ben McCracken (JCMU Resident Director), and welcome new JOI Coordinator Yuka Yoshida.

A great opportunity to connect with JCMU, explore programs in Japan, and learn how students, faculty, and staff can get involved.

📆 September 1, 2026
⏰ 3:30 - 5:00 pm
📍 International Center, Room 303
🍕 Pizza will be provided while supplies last

08/27/2026

A recently published article in Water Security and column in The Kathmandu Post regarding the recent floods in Nepal shared by our MSU experts, Dr. Yadu Pokhrel, Red Cedar Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering, Asia Hub Associate Director, and Asian Studies Center Affiliated Faculty -- and PhD candidate Saugat Aryal, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Michigan State University College of Engineering

Article on Water Security (open access), "The Asian Water tower under threat: hydropower expansion and Water security in a changing climate," https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasec.2026.100211

Column on Kathmandu Post: https://tinyurl.com/2euvbpmk

08/26/2026

Everyone mark your calendar for this exciting upcoming book talk!

Mark your calendar for this upcoming book talk!

✅ City of Lyrics: Ordinary Poets and Islamicate Popular Culture in Early Modern Delhi
📆 Tuesday, Sept. 15
🕛 2:45-4 p.m.
📍 International Center, Room 303

Nathan L. M. Tabor is an associate professor in the Department of History at Western Michigan University.

City of Lyrics: Ordinary Poets and Islamicate Popular Culture in Early Modern Delhi chronicles the origins of a global poetry phenomenon. For centuries, Urdu-speaking poets and their audiences have gathered for mushāʿirahs, literary competitions for spoken-word verse.

Today the mushāʿirah is a global phenomenon, as audiences in the millions convene in person and online for hours of poetic performance. Tracing these modern gatherings back to their origins, Nathan Tabor introduces readers to the popular emergence of the mushāʿirah in eighteenth-century Delhi.

Scores of poets composed two-line lyric poems, called ġhazals, that they muttered, sang, shouted, and spat out in contentious salon spaces across India’s largest metropolis. Delhi’s mushāʿirahs circulated lyrics, satires, and songs for both common and elite poets, who traded and assessed words as an urban commodity that defined hierarchy, taste, and notions of delight.

Co-sponsors: James Madison College at Michigan State University, Asian Studies Center at Michigan State University, and Michigan State University Muslim Studies Program.

08/25/2026

🌏The Japan Foundation and the Social Science Research Council are pleased to announce the next round of institutional grants for the “SSRC–JF Next Generation Japan Studies Development Program." This program has three components: Study Tour Grants, Postdoctoral Fellowship and Visiting Professor Grants.

Applications due 11/1.

For more information: https://ny.jpf.go.jp/08-17-2026/26382/

08/25/2026

📢 MSU Students: Interested in journalism, global careers, or working internationally?

Join MSU alumnus and former CNN international correspondent Marc Stewart for an inside look at what it takes to build a career in international journalism—from East Lansing to CNN and Beijing.

Marc will share stories from his time reporting around the world, what it’s really like to cover news across cultures and borders, and how the skills and experiences he gained at James Madison College helped launch his career. Whether you’re interested in journalism, international affairs, communications, public policy, or simply curious about global careers, this is a great opportunity to hear firsthand from someone who turned his MSU experience into an international career.

📅 September 14, 2026
⏰ 5:00–6:30 p.m.
📍 Case Hall Club, Spartan Room
🍪🥤Refreshment will be provided.

Come hear the stories behind the headlines—and bring your questions!

08/25/2026

Call for Submissions: 4th Chinese Society for Education Annual Conference, June 16-18, 2027, Glasgow, Scotland. Submit paper and panel proposals by October 31, 2026.

中华教育学会第四届年会征稿通知 Call for Submissions to the 4th CSE Annual Conference, Jun. 16-18, 2027, Glasgow, Scotland.

08/24/2026

Congratulations on your new role, Professor Graham! We look forward to working with you.

Please join us in congratulating JMC Prof. Norm Graham, who has been appointed associate dean of James Madison College.

Graham, a longtime professor in JMC’s International Relations field, returns to a role he previously held from 1999 to 2012. Since joining the full-time college in 1987, he has built a distinguished record as a teacher, scholar and administrator. He has twice served as acting dean, directed MSU’s Center for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies for 30 years, published 11 books and helped establish JMC’s International Relations in Brussels program.

As associate dean, Graham will support faculty research and development, curriculum, international programming and strategic initiatives while continuing to teach half-time.

“It’s the best job in the world,” Graham said of his career at JMC. “I love the college and I love the students we have.”

Link in comments to read more about his experience and priorities for the college.

08/22/2026

Doctoral students with bold, innovative dissertation projects in the humanities or social sciences: the Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Innovation Fellowship offers $52K to fund a year of exploratory research and mentorship.

Apply by October 28, 5PM ET: www.acls.org/DIF