Dear SSJ Forum List members,

 

Announcing a symposium at Sophia University on 13 December, 2025

 

This event invites seven front-line teacher-scholars from Japan, Thailand, and the United States to share their rich experiences and to exchange perspectives on how Inter- and Trans-Disciplinary research and teaching contribute to holistic knowledge systems that promote multiple worldviews and values on humanity-in-nature relations.

 

The event will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with seven speakers presenting their current research projects. Following the individual presentations, there will be a roundtable discussion in which all the speakers will discuss how we can promote and conduct transdisciplinary research and teaching -- opportunities and challenges.

 

The event is all in English and will be held on-site only.

Attendance is free and all details and the registration form are available at:

https://www.kasasustainability.org/event-details/sophia-symposium-2025

 

Warmest regards,

Kyungil Kim

Beatrice Melo

Sinwa Naw

Atsuki Nathan Onkenhout

Mana Short

 

Event title: "Engaging in Inter- and Trans-Disciplinary  Research and Teaching in Universities"

 

Abstract:

Inter- and trans-disciplinary (ITD) approaches are recommended for researchers and educators who work at highly specialized institutions such as universities. While the rationale of inter- and trans-disciplinarity approaches is now widely recognized and inter- and trans-disciplinary research institutes and teaching centers have been established to promote collaboration among multiple disciplines, most researchers and educators may rightly ask "how can we apply them to our own research and teaching?" This symposium addresses this practical and important question by inviting front-line educators from Japan, Thailand, and the United States to share their rich experiences and to exchange perspectives on how IDT research and teaching help us not only improve knowledge creation but also make our teaching impactful for students.

 

Schedule:

10:00 Opening Remarks

10:10-12:30 Morning Session

Transdisciplinary Research on the Social Impacts of Global Environmental Problems

 -Perspectives from the Ground of Deforestation in Tropical Asia-

     Daisuke Naito (Kyoto University)

Zamboanga, Mindanao: Islam and Christianity at the "End of the World'

　Eric Tagliacozzo (Cornell University)

Bridging Ecological Economics and Political Ecology: Environmental Justice Lessons from Myanmar

    May Aye Naw Thiri (University of Tokyo)

14:00-16:10

Understanding Climate Change Perceptions, Emotions, and Actions in Japan:

A Transdisciplinary Mixed-Methods Study

　Carola Hommerich (Sophia University)

A World Ecology of Disasters in Development in East Asia:

Shifting Worldviews and Values towards Justice and Care

　Takeshi Ito (Sophia University) and Carl Middleton (Chulalongkorn University)

Southeast Asia to Slaughterhouse: Reflections on Jim Scott's Mentorship

   Timothy Pachirat  (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

Roundtable session   16:20 - 17:20

How should we promote and conduct transdisciplinary research and teaching--opportunities and challenges?

17:20-17:30 Closing Remarks

 

Time: Saturday, December 13th, 10:00 AM-17:30 PM (JST), Free Admission (Doors Open 9:30 AM)

Venue: Sophia University Central Library, Room L-911

 

Contact:

Dr. Beatrice Melo

KASA Sustainability, Sophia University,

7-1 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-8554, JAPAN

Email: we@kasasustainability.org

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KASA Sustainability Team

kasasustainability.org