Asian Studies

Research

Research projects, centres, networks and publications in Asian Studies.

Our interdisciplinary community brings together specialists in China, Japan and Korea with experts in East Asian and international relations.

In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), our research was submitted in the categories of Modern Languages, Politics, Sociology, History and Theology.

The results reaffirm Edinburgh’s position as one of the UK’s leading research universities - fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research according to Times Higher Education's REF power ratings.

Browse Edinburgh Research Explorer for staff profiles, research outputs and activities

Selected research centres and networks

Research centres and networks range from formal collaborations to informal groups of researchers working together on a theme or challenge.

A number are based in - or are affiliated with - Asian Studies; others are based elsewhere in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC), the University of Edinburgh, or the wider academic community, but involve our staff and students.

The groups provide opportunities for researchers at all career stages to work together with partners and stakeholders in organising events, workshopping publications, engaging audiences outside the academy, and exploring ideas for future projects and funding bids.

Here are just a few of our current groups...

Selected research projects  

Beyond the Books

Beyond the Books is a podcast that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at research in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures and the people who make it happen. 

In Series 2 - Episode 3 host Emma Aviet talked to Dr Youngmi Kim, Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies and Director of the Centre for Korean Studies. 

Listen to Series 2 - Episode 3 of Beyond the Books on MediaHopper

Browse all episodes of Beyond the Books

Research supervision

We offer one-year Masters by Research and full PhD programmes in the study of China, Japan, Korea and East Asia.

Working with colleagues elsewhere in LLC, and across the wider University, we are able to support research which crosses boundaries between disciplines and languages.

Find out more about postgraduate study in Asian Studies