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Welcome to the February 2026 issue of the NTNU International Taiwan Studies Newsletter. With the Lunar New Year and winter break behind us, the spring semester and a new year of possibilities for the field of Taiwan Studies are in full swing, with one of our own major events already concluded.
In this issue, we introduce the Taiwan Studies Program at Kyushu University, headed by Professor Edward Vickers, and its work in promoting exchange between the people of Taiwan and Japan. “New Voices in Taiwan Studies” features an interview with Lin Wan-Jou, a PhD student at NTNU's Department of Taiwan Culture, Languages and Literature, on her intersectional approach to Indigenous knowledge and ecofeminism. We also have a special event report on “Foundations and Practices of Diplomacy,” a tri-institutional intensive winter school held in February at NTNU which brought students from around the world to learn about Taiwan’s role in international diplomacy.
Together, these stories reflect the continued vitality and diversity of Taiwan Studies as a global, interdisciplinary field—one that thrives on dialogue, collaboration, and the steady emergence of new perspectives. We hope this issue offers both insight and inspiration as the year unfolds, and we look forward to sharing more developments, partnerships, and scholarly contributions with you in the months ahead.
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Director
Nikky Lin
Editorial Team
Greg Laslo
Jessica Siu-yin Yeung
Chang Feng-en
Josh Edbrooke
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An Introduction to the Taiwan Studies Program at Kyushu University
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Japan has perhaps the longest history of Taiwan Studies of anywhere in the world outside Taiwan, so it's a pleasure to be able to spotlight the great work of the Taiwan Studies Program at Kyushu University as well as their unique contributions to the field.
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Prof. Edward Vickers: Director of the Taiwan Studies Program at Kyushu University |
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In 2017, Kyushu University (Kyudai), with support from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, launched the Kyushu University Taiwan Studies Program. The aim was to bolster engagement and collaboration between students and researchers at Kyudai and their counterparts in Taiwan, so as to deepen cross-national understanding of history, politics and culture.
The program has led to increased interaction between Western Japan and Taiwan through guest teaching, student exchanges, academic events and collaborative research.
A core element of the program has been two Taiwan-themed courses open to students from across the university.
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New Voices in Taiwan Studies: Lin Wan-Jou
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“New Voices in Taiwan Studies” features interviews with younger scholars with new perspectives, intended to illuminate the breadth, variety, and value of the field of Taiwan Studies, and demonstrate the scope of research possibilities that are open to newcomers.
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Lin Wan-Jou (林宛柔) is a PhD student at NTNU’s Department of Taiwan Culture, Languages and Literature. In this interview, she discusses the two main approaches that she incorporated into her dissertation. First, she conducted textual analysis of Liglav A-wu’s literary works, complemented by interviews with the author to better understand her narrative strategies and intellectual positioning. Second, she employed an ethnographic approach in the Ciulaku community in southern Pingtung, focusing on lived experiences, forced displacement, and local knowledge production. Together, these two methods allowed her to place literary analysis and community-based research in dialogue with one another.
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LW: Lin Wan-Jou
JY: Jessica Siu-yin Yeung
JY: Could you please briefly introduce yourself first?
LW: I am Lin Wan-jou from Pingtung and I am a PhD student at National Taiwan Normal University. My dissertation is titled “A Decolonial Critique of Ecofeminism on Indigenous Knowledge.”
JY: I read that you studied English literature, including the modernist literature of Radclyffe Hall, during your master’s program. Can you share why you changed your field from English literature to Taiwan Indigenous literature, and women’s writings in particular?
LW: I did my master’s training because I’m interested in literature. My master’s thesis focused on gender, while my studies then gave me different perspectives and enabled me to appreciate literature. At the same time, I participated in many activities organised by Presbyterian churches. Presbyterian churches played a very important role in Taiwan’s democratization. As an English-language speaker, my role was to introduce Taiwan to international guests, such as those from Canada. I was a bit lost then, as I wasn’t sure what to present, as I didn’t know Taiwan well enough to do my job.
We have many Indigenous churches, and I have close relationships with friends from them. During my job of introducing Taiwan to these international guests, I learned a lot about the complicated contexts of the Indigenous peoples in Taiwan. Hence, I decided to continue this journey in academia and turn my focus to my homeland, with a focus on Indigenous women.
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NTNU-INALCO-ENAP Winter School:
Foundations and Practices of Diplomacy
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Over the week of February 2nd-6th, 2026, thirty-five students from around the world were brought together to participate in “Foundations and Practices of Diplomacy: Winter School in Taiwan,” an intensive program introducing them to the intricacies of international diplomacy, with a focus on the relations between Taiwan, France, and Canada. Organized by NTNU’s International Taiwan Studies Center, in partnership with the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) in France and the École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP) in Canada, the program drew on the specialized faculty and research resources of the three institutions to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of Taiwan’s positioning within the international political framework, the mechanisms of interaction within the global economic system, and contemporary models of diplomatic strategy. This was the sixth iteration of this intensive program, but the first to be held in Taiwan.
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Keywords of Taiwan Theory III Workshop |
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For over a decade now, scholars of Taiwan have been ambitiously working to build a theoretical foundation for Taiwan Studies. The “keyword approach,” exemplified by
Keywords of Taiwan Theory (2019) and
Keywords of Taiwan Theory II (2025) involves creating keywords which represent important concepts in Taiwan history, culture, or theory, in order to create a network of experiences, perspectives, positions, and theories. Following the success of the first two volumes, the Keywords of Taiwan Promotional Committee is opening a call for papers for the third volume and the associated workshop, which will be held on September 19th-20th, 2026. For more information, click here. |
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NTNU Sinophone and Taiwan Studies Book Series Open for Submissions
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Celebrating Culture
Folk Tourism Through Festivals and Traditions
by Fang Wei-Ta, Arba’at Hassan, Max Horng
This book systematically explores the interactive relationship between festivals, cultural heritage, and tourism development, demonstrating that folk festivals are not only tourism resources but also important media for ethnic cohesion and identity building, and for reconnecting with the land and environment. By bridging theoretical concepts and practical implementation, it offers insights into how these festivities shape cultural heritage, economic development, and social cohesion in an increasingly globalized world. A distinguishing feature of this book is its use of integrated references, rich illustrations, diagrams, and case studies, making complex theories more accessible and engaging. More info here. |
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The “Sinophone and Taiwan Studies” book series, 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 Episodes
Professor Michael Hsiao describes one of the most ambitious Taiwan Studies projects to date: the journey involved in making the Encyclopedia of Taiwan Studies!
Before TSMC there was TSC! Professor Dafydd Fell explains why Taiwan's sugar railways were once the most extraordinary industrial rail network in the world!
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Recent Publications in the Taiwan Studies Field
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La Sociologie De La Littérature - Mandarin Edition
by Gisèle Sapiro
Translated by Liu Chan-yueh and Su Shuo-bin
NTU Press
How is literature created? This translation of Gisèle Sapiro’s
La sociologie de la littérature, which has flourished in France and stands alone globally, has moved beyond the traditional dichotomy of "internal analysis" versus "external analysis." Building on Pierre Bourdieu's concept of "field" (
champ),
La sociologie de la littérature explores the various mediating roles of literature within society, demonstrating and illustrating these roles from three levels: the production of the work, the text itself, and the reception of the work.
More info here.
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Why Taiwan? Anthropological Perspectives
Edited by Shuenn-der Yu and Anru Lee
This book considers why Taiwan matters independent of the China-centric paradigm by both examining anthropological research on Taiwan as well as how to study Taiwan anthropologically, re-asserting the ontological status of Taiwan as a legitimate object of scholarly inquiry. Two chapters by ITSC member scholars Chen Yu-jen and Scott Simon discuss how Taiwan’s food culture is distinct from China’s and the role of Indigeneity in building subjectivity for Taiwan, respectively.
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The Wu Ming-Yi Companion: Literature, Environment, and Translation Through Compound Eyes
by Michael Berry and Kuei-fen Chiu
Cambria Press
This volume situates Wu’s work within the broader contexts of world literature, Sinophone studies, and environmental humanities, exploring his engagement with Indigenous narratives, transnational ecocriticism, and Taiwan’s complex colonial history.
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Money God Temples in Taiwan:
Transcendence and Metaphysics in Chinese Religion
by Fabian Graham
Routledge
This book traces the history and development of Taiwan’s new money god tradition, where, by borrowing a small sum of blessed "fortune money" and returning it with interest within a year, a temple’s deity may intervene in the recipient’s life, bringing them unearned good luck and good fortune.
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Indigenous Knowledge in Taiwan and Beyond: Mandarin Edition
Edited by Shih Shu-mei and Tsai Lin-chin
NTU Press
This book situates Taiwan's indigenous knowledge in comparative contexts across other indigenous knowledge formations. The content is divided into four distinct but interrelated sections to highlight the importance and diversity of indigenous knowledge in Taiwan and beyond.
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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).
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Upcoming Taiwan Studies Events
From Around the World
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SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies Presents
The Sounds of Taiwan New Cinema: Book Talk
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The SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies is hosting a book launch event with Dr Andy Birtwistle. Published by the British Film Institute, his book
Film Sound Modernism looks at how sound has been used in cinema in ground breaking ways, particular in Taiwan New Cinema!
Date: March 3rd, 2026, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Venue: Room B104, SOAS
More info here. |
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26th International Conference of the Cultural Studies Association at NTNU
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Taiwan's Cultural Studies Association (文化研究學會) is organizing “Transculturation: The 26th Annual International Conference of the Cultural Studies Association,” in collaboration with the NTNU International Taiwan Studies Center. The event will be held at NTNU’s Heping Campus on March 7th-8th, 2026.
More info here.
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Taiwan Europe Connectivity Workshop: Call for Papers
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The ERCCT will hold its second Taiwan Europe Connectivity Workshop, a workshop for emerging young scholars, i.e. Ph.D. students (3rd year and above) and postdocs, from 5 to 11 July, 2026 in Tübingen, Germany. The main topic for this year’s workshop is “The development of Taiwan-EU relations under China’s gaze” and submissions are welcome until March 15th.
Closing Date for Submissions: March 15th, 2026.
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The NATSA 2026 Undergraduate Research Paper Competition
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NATSA invites submissions for its 2026 Undergraduate Research Paper Competition. The winner will receive a USD$250 cash award and be invited to present at NATSA’s 31st annual conference in June 2026 at Indiana University Bloomington, with a reimbursement cap for travel and lodging expenses.
Closing Date for Submissions: March 11th, 2026.
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University of Pennsylvania - Interdisciplinary Conference on Taiwanese Languages and Culture Teaching and Theory II |
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This conference takes Taiwanese languages and cultures teaching and theory as its central focus, and is structured around three key analytical perspectives: Circulation, Innovation, and Taiwanization.
Conference: April 24th - 25th, 2026
Call for Proposals open until March 15th, 2026.
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CCKF-ERCCT Visiting Fellow Program: Summer Semester 2026
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The ERCCT runs a Visiting Fellows
Programme in cooperation with Taiwanese partner institutions whereby Taiwanese Ph.D. or Postdoc students are invited each semester to
join the CCKF-ERCCT for a period of one month.
Closing Date for Applications: March 15th, 2026.
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EATS Annual Conference 2026
Echoes of Authority: Forty Years on from the Eve of the Lifting of Martial Law
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Through interdisciplinary, decolonial and critical lenses, the conference seeks to better understand how Taiwan—especially in today’s context of global authoritarian resurgence—has come to redefine itself from the legacies of autocracy.
Conference time: April 1st - 3rd
Location: University of Portsmouth, UK
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Useful Content for Teaching and Research
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Play the Game and Learn Taiwanese With TaiGiddy |
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TaiGiddy is a gamified Taiwanese language learning website developed by the International Taiwan Studies Center at NTNU. It is currently the most comprehensive Taiwanese learning platform in the world with over 1,000 exercises covering thirty categories, including daily life, culture, religion, politics, and new vocabulary. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning Taiwanese.
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Taiwan Travelogue Named in Longlist for International Booker Prize
After becoming the first Taiwanese fiction to win the U.S. National Book Award for Translated Literature in 2024,
Taiwan Travelogue by Taiwanese novelist Yáng Shuāng-zǐ has also now become only the second Taiwanese work to make the prestigious Booker list after Wu Ming-yi’s 2018 nomination for
The Stolen Bicycle. Translator Lin King was interviewed about the complexities of translating the novel for Emily Wu's "Cover to Cover" series.
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The Complexities of Taiwan's Indigenous Peoples and the Tourism Industry
Wagi Payan (assistant professor, College of Indigenous Studies, National Dong Hwa University) and Cheryl Robbins (Taiwan-based freelance tour guide) discuss the complex relationship between the tourism industry and Taiwan's Indigenous communities. They talk about why, when done right, tourism can give an audience - and a profit - to Indigenous communities wanting to tell their own story on their own terms and share their visions for how this can happen in practice.
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Seven New Open Access Articles for 2026 from the
International Journal of Taiwan Studies |
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There are currently 51 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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