One of the distinctive features of modern historical studies at the University of Oxford is its use of methodologies that employ broad perspectives and frameworks of the global dynamism of people and states. Such endeavours have resulted in new understandings in the field of East Asian history, revealing its transnational connections beyond the region as well as historical continuities with the pre-modern period.

This half-day workshop will discuss how new images and understandings of history, politics, and culture can be achieved, showcasing several studies on transnationalism in East Asia. The presenters are scholars of Chinese and Japanese studies of modern history who research the transnational movements of people. These scholars all actively engage in discussions of the dynamic transnationalism within and beyond East Asia that they connect with the rest of the world.

The workshop will be hybrid style with active in-person and online discussions. Everyone who is interested in this topic is welcome to participate in the discussions on transnationalism. Each presentation will be twenty minutes, followed by a general discussion. 

Thursday 1st May 2025 | Allen & Overy Room (Pembroke College) or Zoom
Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/6FKYbX0VGe

Zoom details: https://ritsumei-ac-jp.zoom.us/j/91633624923 (Meeting ID: 916 3362 4923)

Program

9:30                Open the Allen & Overy room

9:45                Open Zoom

10:00 - 10:05 Opening remarks

Setsuko Sonoda (Professor of East Asian studies, Ritsumeikan University; Senior Associate, Pembroke College, University of Oxford)

10:05 - 10:25 Presentation 1

Setsuko Sonoda

“The Origin of the Overseas Compatriots: China as a Transnational Nation-State in Modern History”

10:25 - 10:45 Presentation 2

Helena F. S. Lopes (Lecturer in Modern Asian History, School of History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University)

“Searching for Guo Jingqiu (Helena Kuo)’s Transnational Life: Gender, Migration, and Cultural Diplomacy in Asia, Europe, and the United States”

10:45 - 11:05 Presentation 3

Chinami Oka (Tanaka Junior Research Fellow in Japanese Studies, Pembroke College, University of Oxford)

“The Borderless Cosmos: Christianity and the Pursuit of Social Progress Beyond Nation and Empire in Modern Japan“

11:05 - 11:25 Coffee/tea and refreshments

11:25 - 11:45 Presentation 4

Jessica A. Fernández de Lara Harada (Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Contemporary History and Public Policy of Mexico. Faculty of History, OSGA Latin American Centre, St Antony's College, University of Oxford)

“Cracks in Mestizaje: Locating the Japanese in Mexico”

11:45 - 12:25 General discussion

12:25 - 12:30 Closing remarks

Henrietta Harrison (Professor of Chinese History; Stanley Ho Tutorial Fellow of Pembroke College, University of Oxford)

Contact information for the workshop organizer: Setsuko Sonoda (s-sonoda@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp) 

*In-person participation is limited to the first 20 people. If you are registering after 24 April and prefer an in-person style, please contact Setsuko (s-sonoda@fc.ritsumei.ac.jp) to confirm availability. There is no limit on the number of online participants.