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Welcome to the August edition of our newsletter! At the International Taiwan Studies Center, this summer has seen quite a few highlights which we would like to share with you in this edition.
First among them is an illuminating interview with Professor Lim Dae-Geun, director of the Institute for Taiwan Studies at Korea’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Professor Lim shared the many significant events which the Institute has held, how Korea’s geopolitical and cultural history grants its researchers unique strengths in the field of Taiwan Studies, and how Korean students are already interacting in new ways with Taiwan culture.
Professor Lau Seng-hian, one of our most important long-term contributors, has also provided a full detailed introduction to TaiGiddy—a gamified Taiwanese language learning platform. The platform represents a significant milestone in making the learning of Taiwanese accessible to a global audience, particularly English-speaking students. Professor Lau also went on our podcast to discuss what makes Taiwanese unique as a language, how it has evolved, and what its proper name in English should be.
On the publishing front, this summer was also very productive, with several research volumes and important translations of both fiction and nonfiction released; the work of one of our member scholars, Chen Yu-jen, was also recognized with the Shizuo Tsuji Gastronomy Award.
Finally, we would like to invite our readers to fill out a very brief satisfaction survey so that we may better serve the Taiwan Studies community. We hope you have found the first year informative, and we look forward to another year of providing you with the latest goings-on in the field of Taiwan Studies! |
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As we begin gearing up for the start of the new academic year, I hope that you've had a restful summer, particularly post-conference season, with time to digest and distill some of the content from so many fantastic Taiwan Studies events that took place over the past few months. It was a privilege to be able to meet so many friends and partners and we hope that this continues in the new term. In a world that seems increasingly fractured and conflicted, I hope the conversations we have are ones that bring diverse views together, forming unlikely partnerships and unusual collaborations. |
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Editorial team - Josh Edbrooke
Greg Laslo
Chang Feng-en |
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Prof. Lim Dae-Geun Introduces the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS)
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This issue, for the first time in our series, we are delighted to spotlight a Korean Taiwan Studies Institution. Professor Lim Dae-Geun (林大根) was kind enough to give us an interview in which he describes the history and achievements of one of Asia's longest-serving Taiwan Studies Centers!
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Professor Lim Dae-Geun, Department of Chinese, Director of the Institute for Taiwan Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies |
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1. Can you introduce us to the history of the Institute for Taiwan Studies at HUFS? When did it begin?
The Institute of Taiwan Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) was established in May 2011. Its founding purpose was to lay the foundation for systematic and interdisciplinary research on Taiwan in South Korea, and to academically highlight the significance of Taiwan across the political, economic, social, and cultural spheres of the East Asian region. Currently, the Institute is the only academic research center in South Korea dedicated exclusively to the study of Taiwan.
2. Has there always been interest in Taiwan from students at HUFS? Have you seen a growth in interest in Taiwan over the past decade?
Interest in Taiwan consistently existed among students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS). As HUFS has traditionally been strong in the humanities and social sciences with a focus on languages and regional studies, many students have pursued studies related to the Chinese-speaking world.
About a decade ago, courses and exchange programs specifically related to Taiwan were relatively limited in scale compared to those focusing on mainland China or other countries. Nevertheless, even then, some students expressed a desire to study in Taiwan through exchange programs and other opportunities.
Since the establishment of the Institute of Taiwan Studies, opportunities for student engagement have expanded through the publication of an academic journal, the organization of conferences and forums, and calls for student paper submissions. Additionally, elective courses focusing on Taiwanese society, culture, cross-strait politics, and the economy have been introduced, leading to a noticeable increase in student enrollment.
3. Korean popular culture has been very influential in Taiwan, are there any elements of Taiwanese culture (either traditional or popular) that students in Korea are interested in?
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Introduction to Gamified Taiwanese Learning Platform "TaiGiddy" from the Creator, Prof. Lau Seng-hian
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TaiGiddy is an innovative, gamified online platform designed to make learning the Taiwanese language accessible and engaging for a global audience. Developed as a sub-project under the International Taiwan Studies Center at National Taiwan Normal University, and sponsored by the Higher Education Sprout Project, it stands out as the world’s first gamified and interactive website dedicated to Taiwanese language learning. The name “TaiGiddy” itself is a playful portmanteau of “Tâi-gí,” the Taiwanese language, and “giddy,” reflecting the joyful and exciting learning experience the platform aims to provide.
Addressing the Gap in Taiwanese Language Resources
The motivation behind TaiGiddy stems from a recognized gap in the market for Taiwanese language learning materials. Unlike the abundance of resources available for learning Chinese, non-native speakers often find it challenging to find comprehensive and accessible materials for Taiwanese. This scarcity creates a barrier for those who wish to connect with Taiwan’s cultural identity on a deeper level. TaiGiddy directly addresses this problem by offering an accessible, online platform where learners can study the language anytime and anywhere, building a vital cultural connection.
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UW Professor James Lin Speaks on “Centrality and Marginality in Taiwan Studies”
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This summer, the International Taiwan Studies Center at NTNU was pleased to co-organize a series of lectures on the topic of “Theory and Methodology of Taiwan Studies” (台灣研究理論與方法) with Yushan Scholar Professor Shih Shu-mei (史書美) of UCLA.
The first lecture, held on June 26th, was “Deprovincializing and Reprovincializing Taiwan Centrality and Marginality in Taiwan Studies,” by James Lin, an assistant professor at the University of Washington. For eight years, Professor Lin has been teaching a graduate-level survey of Taiwan Studies course titled "Making Modern Taiwan." His talk in June was aimed at bringing a historian’s perspective to Taiwan Studies, and providing guidance for those pursuing new projects in the field by illustrating how that perspective can shape one’s future scholarship or academic career. This was especially useful for the large number of younger scholars in attendance that day. |
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The 2025 Summer School from SOAS
Centre of Taiwan Studies
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The 2025 SOAS Taiwan Studies Summer School placed questions of gender, cinema, and democratic change in Taiwan at the centre of its programme. Over six days, participants engaged in lectures, roundtables, film screenings, and student panels that examined Taiwan’s evolving political life, feminist activism, and cultural expression.
The programme opened with a strong focus on environmental politics and questions of just transition. Dr Hua-Mei Chiu delivered
Towards a Democratic and Just Energy Transition: A New Wave of Environmental Activism in Taiwan, tracing how anti-nuclear campaigns after Fukushima evolved into renewable energy movements, citizens’ cooperatives, and climate justice activism. She highlighted both the promise of community-based energy initiatives and the tensions created by large-scale renewable projects in the context of Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero ambitions and energy security concerns. This was followed by Dr Chiu Yubin, whose lecture
The Role of Trade Unions in Just Transition: A Case Study on the Development of Electric Motorbikes in Taiwan examined how labour organisations influence the transition to green transport through retraining, collective bargaining, and new forms of mobilisation, despite enduring institutional legacies of authoritarianism.
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Our First-Ever Reader Satisfaction Survey |
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The NTNU International Taiwan Studies Center Newsletter has now been running for just over one year! We have enjoyed putting the content together for each issue and then disseminating to scholars and students all over the world, however, in order to ensure that the content we are providing is of use to our readers, we have designed a very short and simple reader satisfaction survey. Please take two minutes to let us know what you find most useful about this newsletter, which content you would like to see more (or less) of and in doing so, help us to make sure that we are delivering the most useful and relevant information to your inbox! Click here for the survey.
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NTNU Sinophone and Taiwan Studies Book Series Open for Submissions
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The Legacy of Indigenous Music
Editors: Yu-hsiu Lu and Oskar Elschek
This book shares essential insights into how indigenous music has been inherited and preserved under the influence of the dominant mainstream culture in Asia and Europe. It illustrates possible ways of handing down indigenous music in countries and regions with different levels of acceptance toward indigeneity, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Near and Middle East, Caucasus Mountains, etc. Given its focus, the book benefits researchers who are interested in the status quo of indigenous music around the globe. The macro- and micro-perspectives used to explore related issues, problems, and concerns also benefit those interested in regional ethnomusicology.
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The “Sinophone and Taiwan Studies,” centered on Taiwan Studies-related humanities and social science research, is open for new book submissions. Edited by Professor Shih Shu-mei (史書美) of UCLA and Professor Nikky Lin (林巾力) of NTNU, this book series aims to break Sinophone and Taiwan Studies out of old limiting frameworks and methodologies.
Browse the series and download the book proposal form here. |
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NTNU International Taiwan Studies Center Podcast
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Recent Publications in the Taiwan Studies Field
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Keywords of Taiwan Theory II
by Shih Shu-mei
Sangensha Publishers
《台灣理論關鍵詞》續篇 台灣不只是經驗的提供者，也能成為理論的生產者 從在地複雜性出發，開創世界理論的新語言。
More info here.
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Eyes of the Ocean
by Syaman Rapongan
Translated by Darryl Sterk
Columbia University Press
Introducing English-language readers to one of the leading Indigenous writers in Taiwan, this book shares a profound and deeply humane vision of Oceanic art and identity.
Eyes of the Ocean also tells the story of Syaman Rapongan’s formation as a writer, a practitioner of a genre of his own creation: colonial ocean island literature.
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Portraits in White
by Kaori Lai
Translated by Sylvia Li-chun Lin and Howard Goldblatt
Introduction by James Lin
Columbia University Press
The book is composed of three novellas, each telling the story of an ordinary person. Even if only alluded to obliquely, the White Terror always hovers in the background, shaping the characters’ experiences and inner worlds. Elegantly written and keenly observed,
Portraits in White provides a panoramic view of the ways authoritarianism seeps into daily life.
More info here.
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Reorientating Taiwan: Ocean, Selfhood, and the Pacific
Edited by Niki J.P. Alsford and
Ti-Han Chang
Reorientating Taiwan: Ocean, Selfhood, and the Pacific redefines how you see Taiwan, moving beyond land-centered perspective to embrace its deep connection with the Pacific. This interdisciplinary collection takes you on a journey through anthropology, literature, ecology, and art, revealing Taiwan as a cradle of Austronesian expansion and a hub of oceanic entanglements. You’ll discover how Taiwan’s vibrant marine culture influences its identity, from Indigenous traditions to contemporary environmental activism.
More info here.
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《永續區域規劃與管理》 (
Sustainable Regional Planning and Management)
by Fang Wei-ta (方偉達)
Drawing on almost 40 years of research, this book combines the theory and practice of sustainable regional planning to comprehensively introduce the core concepts of sustainable regional management, examine Taiwan’s regional and environmental issues, and propose ecological planning and design solutions to create human environments in harmony with nature.
More info here. |
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Work on Taiwan’s Culinary History Wins Award in Japan
The History of Taiwan Cuisine: Manifestations of Nationality in Culinary Consumption (《「台灣菜」的文化史：食物消費中的國家體現》 / 『「台湾菜」の文化史－国民料理の創造と変遷』, by Chen Yu-jen (陳玉箴), an ITSC member scholar and professor of NTNU’s Department of Taiwan Culture, Literature and Languages, has won the 16th Shizuo Tsuji Gastronomy Award in Japan. This award, established in 2010, is intended to encourage research and education in the culinary field, and Professor Chen's work certainly delivers in that regard, offering a detailed analysis of how changes in Taiwan’s politics over the last century have been reflected in all types of its cuisine, from simple snacks to sumptuous banquets.
Read the NTNU press release here. |
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Encyclopedia of Taiwan Studies Online
This Encyclopedia introduces the multifaceted aspects of Taiwan’s past and present in almost 600 entries, authored by more than 300 worldwide scholars who are experts in the archaeology, history, linguistics, anthropology, sociology, political science, international relations, Indigenous studies, literature, gender studies, media studies, cinema and documentary, music, and art of Taiwan. The Encyclopedia can thus be seen as a portal to the multifaceted world of Taiwan, with its vibrant culture, important developments, and radical transformations.
This version is the second online release of the Encyclopedia, containing 10 of its 15 sections. Release of the third and last installment is planned at the end of 2025, followed by the print version in 2026.
The Encyclopedia is edited by Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao (Editor-in-Chief), Lung-Chih Chang, Kuei-Fen Chiu, Isabelle Cockel, Nancy Guy, Dafydd Fell, Ming-Sho Ho, Anru Lee, Lih-Yun Lin, Hsin-Tien Liao, Scott Simon, Ming-Yeh Rawnsley, Cheng-Hwa Tsang, Robert Weller, Alan Hao Yang, and Elizabeth Zeitoun (Associate Editors). More info here. |
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Upcoming Taiwan Studies Events
From Around the World
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SOAS CTS Summer School 2025
Event Recordings |
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For any who were not able to join the SOAS Taiwan Studies Summer School 2025, you now have the chance to enjoy many of the fantastic talks, workshops and panels which were recorded and have been placed on the SOAS CTS Facebook page!
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Gaming Taiwan: Indigenous Epistemologies in Play
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Part of the Australian National University's "Taiwan Update" series, this event explores how Indigenous knowledge systems in Taiwan are being revitalized through video games.
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2025
Venue: CIW Seminar Room, Building 188 Fellows Lane, ANU
Register here |
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EATS 2026 Conference Call for Papers
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The European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS) is delighted to announce the call for papers for the 23rd Annual Conference to be held at the University of Portsmouth on 1-3 April 2026. The conference theme is Echoes of Authority: Forty Years on from the Eve of the Lifting of Martial Law.
The deadline for submission is 30 Sept 2025.
More info here
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EATS 2026 Young Scholar Award
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EATS invites postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to participate in the Young Scholar Award, the final presentation of which will take place at the conference.
More info here
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University of Washington, Call for Papers: New Directions in Taiwan History - Taiwan at The Center and at the Margins
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Conference Date: February 26-27, 2026
Location: University of Washington, Seattle
Call for Papers Deadline October 10th, 2025
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Useful Content for Teaching and Research
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Culture, Identity and Taiwan's Musical Rubbish Trucks
In Taiwan, when you hear Beethoven’s "Für Elise" or the Polish composition "Maiden’s Prayer," you know it’s time to take out the trash. Taiwan’s iconic musical garbage trucks turned trash collection into a national ritual and helped make the island one of the world’s cleanest places. But how did these beautiful compositions end up on the yellow trucks that cart off Taiwan’s rubbish?
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Open Access Articles from the International Journal of Taiwan Studies |
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There are currently 44 open access articles from the International Journal of Taiwan Studies. For a complete list and links to download, click here. |
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Taiwan Lit and the Global Sinosphere
Taiwan Lit, launched in the summer of 2020, is an online scholarly journal focusing on studies of Taiwan literature and culture. It is published by the Center for Taiwan Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.
We invite submissions in either English or Chinese. Please see the descriptions of each individual section for details.
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"TransTaiwan: A Research Gateway to Taiwan Studies" (TARGTS)
Dr Isabelle Cockel from the University of Portsmouth, Secretary-General of European Association of Taiwan Studies introduces "TransTaiwan: A Research Gateway to Taiwan Studies" (TARGTS).
TARGTS now provides more than 700 annotated bibliographies of Taiwan Studies journal articles.
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No.162, Heping E. Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei City 106308, Taiwan |
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