Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives

Sway Welcome to the conference information page for the 2026 Spring Conference of the American Ethnological Society.

Join us this Friday at CAPI for a roundtable discussion on “Constitutions and Emergency Powers: Toward a New Research Agenda.” This conversation will explore how traditional emergency powers are being challenged by today’s interconnected crises including public health, climate change, financial instability, migration, and technological disruption.

Featuring leading scholars in constitutional and international law, this session will examine the risks of emergency power abuse and consider how constitutional frameworks may need to evolve to address the complex realities of modern governance.

📅 Friday, March 20
🕒 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
📍 FRA A168a, CAPI Boardroom, University of Victoria

This event is open to the public, but seating is limited. Register to attend.
https://events.uvic.ca/capi/event/106203-constitutions-and-emergency-powers-toward-a-new-resea

Coming up next week, a talk hosted in collaboration with our colleagues at Centre for Global Studies and Centre for Studies in Religion and Society (CSRS) - UVic.
On Tuesday, March 17 (10:30–11:30 AM PT), The Harold Coward India Research Fellow Shubham Arora will present “Sexual Pleasure as Thought: Erotics in Premodern South Asia.” His talk explores the rich intellectual tradition in South Asia that treated pleasure as a subject of serious reflection, examining how texts such as the Kāmasūtra engaged with questions of desire, relationships, social roles and human fulfillment.
Rather than viewing these works only as manuals of practice, this discussion highlights how they contributed to broader conversations about intimacy, emotion, and the principles of a well lived life across centuries.

Hybrid event
Fraser Building 152, University of Victoria or join via Zoom
Tuesday, March 17 | 10:30–11:30 AM PT
https://events.uvic.ca/capi/event/105963-sexual-pleasure-as-thought-erotics-in-premodern

CAPI would like to thank everyone who joined us for our Annual Graduate Student Symposium on March 5th, 2026.

The event brought together graduate students conducting Asia-related research from across disciplines to share their work, exchange ideas, and engage in thoughtful discussion. Throughout the day, presenters delivered engaging talks on a wide range of topics connected to Asia. Each presentation was followed by Q&A sessions that provided thoughtful feedback, and new perspectives. The symposium created a space for students to refine their research, connect with peers and faculty, and strengthen academic networks.

We are grateful to all of the graduate student presenters for sharing their work and contributing to such a rich and inspiring dialogue. Thank you as well to the faculty members who chaired and facilitated the sessions. Events like the Graduate Student Symposium highlight the importance of creating spaces where emerging scholars can share ideas, receive constructive feedback, and build connections that support future research and collaboration.

We look forward to continuing to support graduate student research and welcoming new participants at next year’s symposium.

Photos by Sanikka Gupta

A great recap of the Annual INSPIRE conference, led by Professor Daniela Damian, CAPI/ECS Chair in Inclusive Science, Technology and Engineering.

4th Annual INSPIRE Conference, 2025 - Recap Step inside the fourth year of INSPIRE, featuring the dynamic 2025 Apprentice Garage Program and panel discussions among students and keynotes from Industry ...

Curious about what's next for Canada after Prime Minister Mark Carney's deal with President Xi Jinping? Join us on Wednesday for an expert perspective on the impact and implications for Canada China trade relations.

Wednesday 28 January | 3:00pm-4:00pm | FRA 158

https://events.uvic.ca/capi/event/105052-canada-china-reset-impact-and-implications

Image attribution: European Union/ President.az

The Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives invites you to Sumi e: Ink, Water, and Brush in Harmony, a guided introduction to the traditional Japanese art of ink painting. This workshop offers participants an opportunity to explore balance, movement, and expression through brush and ink in a calm and welcoming environment. No prior experience is required.

Sumi-e 墨絵 (Japanese brush painting) uses the many shades from black ink and water on rice paper to create contrast and texture. An important element of sumi-e is the meditative nature of the practice and the equal importance of what is painted and what is not. Artist Michael Abe will demonstrate basic techniques and strokes and give the audience a chance to try their hand at painting. Michael began painting in 1988 while living in Japan. His annual Nenga jo 年賀状 (Japanese New Year’s cards) have depicted the animals of the zodiac since 1999.

2026 is the Year of the Horse.
Image - Sumi-e painting by Michael Abe

The session will take place on Thursday, January 22, 2026 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm in CAPI Boardroom, FRA
A145, Fraser Building, Diana Priestly Law Library, UVic.

We look forward to welcoming you to this informative and hands-on creative session!
https://events.uvic.ca/capi/event/104480-sumi-e-ink-water-and-brush-in-harmony

Registration Open: Indigenous Perspectives — The Power of Water (January 15–April 2nd 2026)

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), in partnership with Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (PPP), invites participants to join this 13-week online Indigenous water course featuring Elders, Knowledge Keepers, researchers, and water governance experts.

Participants will learn alongside current undergraduate and graduate students. Certificate of participation available.

Thursdays, 5:30–8:20 PM PST | Online via Zoom
>>>>>>>>>>

The book panel for Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution, held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, brought together an exceptional turnout, with students, faculty, staff, and community members from across the university filling the new large gathering space in the new wing of the UVic Law building. The space itself, with its warm design and grounding atmosphere, created an ideal setting for a thoughtful conversation about the book’s themes of exile, citizenship, and constitutional rights.

CAPI co-organised this event with the Centre for Global Studies (CFGS) Global Talk Series, in association with Past Wrongs Future Choices (PWFC), the Centre for Asia Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), the Department of History, and the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society (VNCS).

On Friday, October 4, 2025, the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) hosted the 2025 CAPI Asia Forum at the University of Victoria; a day dedicated to exploring research across the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions.

The forum featured UVic faculty, graduate students, and visiting scholars who presented their work through engaging 5x5 presentations, joined a fun trivia challenge, and took part in thought-provoking discussions on “Asia in the News.”

It was an inspiring day of collaboration and community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the forum’s success! 🌏💡

Calling UVic students!

Thinking about interning abroad next year?

The Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI) is offering fully funded internship opportunities for 2026 in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, and Japan. These 3 and 6 month placements provide students with hands-on professional and cross-cultural experience through partnerships across the Asia-Pacific. The application deadline for the program is January 30, 2026.

Join our information session with Program Manager Robyn Fila TOMORROW to know more about the program.

Info Session: Wednesday, Oct 15, 12:30–1:30 PM in the CAPI Boardroom (Fraser A168a, within the Law Library)
https://events.uvic.ca/capi/event/100055-capi-2026-internships-info-session-1

Photo - 2025 Intern Christy Wittkamp (right) with colleague Helika in Nepal.

Coming up this Friday - The CAPI Asia Forum. If you registered, we are looking forward to seeing you!