AREAS OF RESEARCH FOCUS
1) The Asian Migration cluster explores the issues arising from increased levels of human mobility in the region, both within and across national borders. Mobility of high-level professional and managerial personnel, unskilled labour migration (both documented and undocumented), and human trafficking all raise methodological and theoretical questions and major policy issues, as does the role of migration in development and change.
2) The Changing Family in Asia cluster explores the dimensions of family change in the region, their causes and implications. These dimensions include rising ages at marriage, declining size of the nuclear family, increase in one-person households and alternative family forms, changing gender roles within families, and changes in family structures. They are studied in the context of the changing political-economic structures and changing state/family roles in provision of services and support.
3) The Cultural Studies in Asia cluster focuses on comparative and pan-Asian popular culture practices in different spheres of everyday life. It encourages the challenging of conventional disciplinary boundaries to rethink received knowledge on existing issues and addresses new topics and concerns thrown up by the rapid changes and impact on cultural practices, brought about by new technologies and the new phase of global capitalism.
4) The Religion and Globalisation in Asian Contexts cluster explores the changing patterns of religious belief, practice, and identity in recent times, particularly in Southeast Asia. The title implies a general interest in transnational and diasporic communities, engagement with modern technologies and values, as well as new global or “glocal” forms of religious activities and institutions. More specifically the cluster looks at modern forms of filial piety and the interactions between politics and religion. In addition to these substantive research areas, the cluster promotes the interdisciplinary research involving the study of social and cultural theories and diverse methodological approaches to the academic study of religion.
5) The Science, Technology, and Society cluster explores techno-scientific institutions, practices, and knowledge-making regimes within Asian societies and cultures. The newest of the ARI research clusters, and thus still building critical mass, we are particularly interested in topics relating to biotechnology/bioscience/ biomedicine and society; interactive and digital media; Asian techno-scientific cultures; interactions between Asian sites or projects and those elsewhere, and science & technology policy. By "Asia" we mean South, East, and Southeast Asia, but are particularly interested in projects with the potential to cross these sub-regional boundaries. Methodologically we are open to a range of approaches, including historical, sociological, anthropological, geographical, and media or cultural studies based initiatives.
6) The Sustainable Cities cluster is targeted at examining emergent urban
situations in which social-cultural and environmental sustainability require urgent attention. Issues under scrutiny include eco-urbanism, cultural preservation, and quality of social life. The following is an inclusive list of research expertise and ideas that would be welcome: sustainable architecture, urban management & governance, urban planning, urban design, urban place-making, land-use management, transport and communication modes, the interface between technology and society (for example, in relation to emerging environmental technologies, and water and energy resource use), industrial and landscape ecology, economics and finances of sustainability of quality human health and social life, regeneration of heritage areas in extant cities.
7) The Open Category. ARI also keeps its doors open to talented people with
exciting ideas and worthwhile projects whose interests may not immediately fit one of the categories. Applications are welcome from across the whole spectrum of the humanities and social sciences, and especially for projects that are innovative and interdisciplinary.
ABOUT THE ASIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE (ARI)
The Asia Research Institute (ARI) was established as a university-level institute in July 2001 as one of the strategic initiatives of the National University of Singapore (NUS). Its mission is to provide a world-class focus and resource for research on the Asian region, located at one of its communication hubs.
ARI engages the humanities and social sciences broadly defined, and especially interdisciplinary frontiers between and beyond disciplines.
INVITATION TO APPLY
Interested applicants are invited to email/mail their applications, consisting of:
i) Application form (please complete the application form downloadable from http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/docs/HR/APPLN FORM_BigAd 2010.doc)
ii) Curriculum Vitae;
iii) Synopsis of the proposed research project (no restriction on the number of pages);
iv) At least one sample of published work;
v) Ensure that at least three referees submit directly to us (email is acceptable) a confidential report on the applicant’s academic standing and on their research project by the 1 October 2009.
Closing date for applications is 1 October 2009.
We regret that only successful candidates will be informed. Candidates who do not hear from the University within 10 weeks after closing date of the advertisement may assume the position has been filled.
Address for submission of applications and references:
Human Resources
c/o Ms Chong Mei Peen
Asia Research Institute
National University of Singapore
469A Tower Block,
Bukit Timah Road #10-01,
Singapore 259770
Email: joinari@nus.edu.sg
