The UP Asian Center, with the support of the UP Office of International Linkages (UP-OIL), is now accepting abstract submissions for the Onsite International Conference, “Kapuluan: Archipelagic Convergences between Southeast Asia and the Pacific.” The deadline for submission is 26 October 2026, Monday (Manila Time). The conference is ONSITE and is open to ALL undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students. Participation in the conference is FREE.
ABOUT THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE
Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands taken together constitute the world's most expansive and important archipelagic region in the world. Their rich natural resources, coupled with their strategic position, have made these regions a focal point for geopolitical competition. In addition, they are also some of the world's most vulnerable regions because of climate change.
Despite their contiguity, connections between Southeast Asia and the Pacific remain one of the most overlooked areas in scholarly literature and public discourse, more broadly. While recent scholarship has highlighted connections and comparisons between the regions (D'Arcy 2018; Andaya 2022) by emphasizing their Austronesian connections, colonial-era transpacific movements, and more contemporary (Southeast Asian, mainly Filipino) migration to the Pacific, these studies remain few and general.
To help underscore the importance of the Pacific to the Philippines and broader Southeast Asia, the UP Asian Center is organizing Kapuluan, an International Conference on “Archipelagic Convergences between Southeast Asia and the Pacific.” It seeks to provide a venue for conversations that compare and/or connect Southeast Asia and the Pacific to produce new insights on shared issues (i.e., archipelagic convergences). These "convergences" range from such issues as climate change and rising sea levels, colonial legacies, geopolitics, etc.
CONFERENCE SUBTHEMES
The conference seeks to invite students (undergraduate or graduate), scholars, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to submit their abstracts on any of the following topics covering Southeast Asia and the Pacific under the following subthemes:
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- Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands Connections
- Blue Economy and Economic Integration
- Migration
- Austronesian Culture, Language, and Histories
- Island and Archipelagic Geographies
- Empires and Great Power Politics
- Climate Change and Disaster Resilience
- Decolonization and Resistance Movements
- Literature, Media, and Arts
- Religion and Missions
- Diplomacy and International Relations
- Sustainability and Environment
- Contemporary Cultures and Identities
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DATES TO REMEMBER
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
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- Must be able to attend the conference and present onsite on 27 November 2026 at the Asian Center, UP Diliman
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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
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- The abstract submission must be written in English or Filipino, not exceeding 200 words. It should outline the scope, objectives, methods, and findings of the paper.
- Submissions must be unpublished.
- Submissions must use the latest APA reference style.
- The deadline for submission is extended until 26 October 2026, Monday (Manila Time). Results will be released on or before 30 October 2026 through email. Additional guidelines will be sent to qualified proposals.
- Selected presenters must be able to attend and participate in the conference on 27 November 2026 at the Asian Center, UP Diliman.
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ABOUT THE ORGANIZER
This conference is organized by the UP Asian Center with the support of the UP Office of International Linkages. This activity is part of the 2026 Anniversary of the Asian Center this November 2026. View the activities lined up for the anniversary!