AAS-in-Asia 2026 concludes at LUMS, brings over 1,000 scholars from 37 countries to Lahore

AAS-in-Asia 2026 concluded on Sunday at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), marking the successful conclusion of a three-day international academic gathering that brought more than 1,000 scholars and participants from over 37 countries to Pakistan.

Held under the theme “Centering Asia: Refiguring Connections, Recharting Futures,” the conference brought together scholars, students, university leaders and academics from 517 institutions, including some of the world’s leading universities, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, University of Tokyo, National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford and Yale University.

The conference featured hundreds of panel sessions, pre-conference workshops, roundtables, open houses, exhibitions and cultural events held across different venues at LUMS. Discussions explored a wide range of themes, including Asia’s transformation and global perspectives, conflict and cooperation, democratic change, technology and society, artificial intelligence, Asian ecologies, cities and infrastructure, gender and marginality, cultural and artistic expression, and old and new approaches to knowledge and epistemology.

The sessions examined how Asia’s economic, political and cultural transformations are reshaping global debates, while also addressing issues including border disputes, contested sovereignties, civic spaces, climate disruption, displacement, inequality and social justice. Discussions also explored the role of literature, art, performance, heritage and everyday cultural practices in shaping Asian identities and creating spaces for connection and dialogue.
The opening ceremony featured welcome addresses by LUMS Vice Chancellor Dr. Ali Cheema and President of the Association for Asian Studies Prof. Elora Shehabuddin.

President of the Association for Asian Studies Prof. Shehabuddin said AAS-in-Asia conferences had previously travelled across Asia, with each host location enriching the association’s academic conversations and creating opportunities for new collaborations. “We are thrilled to have around 1,500 people registered, with over 900 present, truly impressive given all the turmoil in the world.” She also acknowledged the contribution of LUMS faculty, staff, students, volunteers, committees, sponsors and partner organisations in bringing the conference to Pakistan.

Dr. Adil Najam delivered the keynote address on climate change, stressing that the issue could no longer be viewed solely as an environmental concern. Drawing on experiences from Asia and South Asia, including Pakistan, he discussed what he described as the “Age of Adaptation” and the implications of climate change for water, food, security, development, governance and social justice.

AAS-in-Asia has previously been hosted in countries including South Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, Japan, India and Thailand. Its first edition in Pakistan brought an international academic community to Lahore.