Sustaining collections in the digital age/ Asian studies collections in the digital age
Roundtable discussion / Debate
Monday, July 29, 2024 ; 09:00 – 13:00 (GMT+7)
Location : Post Graduate School Building, P2.01
Amidst the effervescent debates on the decolonisation of the social sciences and humanities, and more specifically of area studies, focused on the issue of collections, considered as a broad term referring to library collections, archives and artefacts. We brought together researchers in Asian studies from different parts of the world and professionals who work and reflect on building and providing access to various types of collections.
Aspirations for more equal production of and access to knowledge come up against very real obstacles. Attempts to overcome and/or bypass these obstacles are being made through digital technology, which is not without raising a number of issues.
Following an overview of the issues, and a review of initiatives and projects carried out in different places rooted in local contexts, we tried to open a debate enabling us to examine the idea of collections, rethink collaborations and develop new approaches and solutions around collections and the institutions that house them. The roundtable tried to contribute to charting a path towards more inclusive, equitable, and relevant knowledge circulation.
The roundtable discussion was structured as two interactive sessions – public resources first, then private ones – encouraging open dialogue, discussions, with Q&A session. Participants were invited to share experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches. This roundtable was aimed at librarians, archivists, and researchers mainly, including Aditia Gunawan (National Librairy, Jakarta), Annabel Gallop (British Library, London), Cheryl Loo (ISEAS, Singapore), Chia Tsun Lin (Snn Ya Tsen Nanyang Memorial Hall), Chuong-Dai Vo (Centre des Récollets, Paris), Esmond Soh (NTU, Singapore), Marieke Bloembergen (KITLV, Leiden), Mohomoudou Houssouba (University of Basel), Nur Diyana Andul Kader (NUS), Ryan Pratama (U. of Jember), Surajit Sarkar (Kerala Museum), Swan Tan (National Gallery, Singapore), Tom Hoogervorst (KITLV, Leiden), and Viki Chua (ISEAS, Singapore).
Roundtable Convenor : Marielle Morin, GIS Asie, France
Roundtable Chairs :
- Jérôme Samuel, IRASEC, Bangkok
- Keng We Koh, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
