The Association for Asian Studies is the overarching professional association for those of us interested in Asia.  Fairly or not, over the years AAS has increasingly become perceived as an East Asia focused organization, with the result that many South Asia specialists have drifted away in spite of concerted efforts to retain them.  Only 12% of AAS membership currently identifies with its South Asia Council, down 50% over the last decade.  Less than 6% of the next AAS annual conference involves South Asia presentations.  The result: many have drifted to an October meeting sponsored by the University of Wisconsin.  Yet Wisconsin attracts less than 10% of South Asia scholars.  There is no national association of South Asia specialists holding an annual conference to provide critical linkage and networking functions.

In response to this situation ASPAC appointed its three of its board members, Bill Vanderbok, Deepak Shimkhada, and Ram Roy, to begin the process by organizing a South Asia conference.  An enlarged group, at first including Christopher Chapple of LMU and later Dean McHenry of the Claremont Graduate University, met to undertake conference planning.  From time to time guests are invited to meet with the committee and share their experience.

LMU will provide meeting space for 250 conference registrants.  The Matsushita Center for Electronic Learning at Pacific University is providing web site hosting.  AAS has provided mailing labels of their members affiliated with the South Asia Council.

Besides sponsoring the conference, ASPAC is providing financial services, i.e., checking, credit card and auditing along with financial help.  ASPAC is a nonpolitical, nonprofit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) corporation, making registration fees and contributions to the conference tax deductible.

ASPAC’s intention is that this conference appeal to a national, not regional, audience.  Our hope is that within 2 or 3 years the South Asia conference will incorporate, develop its own bylaws and board of directions, and evolve into a professional association similar to the African Studies Assn, Middle Eastern Studies Assn, etc.  It may or may not have an affiliation with AAS.

Reflective of the conference’s national focus, we have recruited a program committee of noted South Asianists from around the country.  Individuals who share our vision are encouraged to contact the conference convener by email.