Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Passau follow a social science approach, with the objective to analyse processes of post-colonial societal transformation. In research as well as teaching we combine more general theoretical soical science approaches with detailed empirical studies. The foci are theoretically informed comparative empirical studies of Southeast Asia to identify similarities and differences between and within the countries and sub-regions.

Focal areas

The focus of our research activities lies in four interconnected research areas. To maintain a close connection between teaching and research, the research areas correspond with the "advanced research modules" oth the M.A. Southeast Asian Studies programme.

• Conflicts and State Formation
• Dynamics of Urbanism
• Development Policies and Processes
• Culture, Religion and Gender

The research areas form the base for working groups. Here lecturers, Ph.D. students and MA-students work together and discuss current research and their own work. The whole Southeast Asian Studies with the working groups are the base of our epistemic culture to produce new knowledge. Most research projects are supported by third-part funds such as the Geraman Research Council (DFG), the Ministry for Science and Technology (BMBF) and Ph.D. scholarships.

On-going research projects (as of January 2012)

Political conflict, ideologies and the Bangkok middle class

Wimonsiri Hemtanon

Pattern of urban self-organisation

Rüdiger Korff, Eberhard Rothfuss, funded by EU Marie-Curie

Dynamic actors and shifting modernity in Vinh City, Vietnam

Tim Kaiser, funded by Bayerische Eliteförderung

Processes of interaction and negotiation in small urban centres in Vietnam - The example of regional business networks

Hannah von Bloh, funded by Bayerische Eliteförderung

Disaster Resilience in Magacities: Adaption and Coping Strategies in Jakarta's Kampungs

Mario Wilhelm, funded by Münchener Rückversicherung

Urbanization and Changing the ways of life of Ethnic Minorities in Lamdong province

Vo Van Dung, funded by the Government of Vietnam (Programme 322)

Problems of sustainability in semi-arid regions

Rüdiger Korff, funded by BMZ, ICRISAT

Digitalization of Laotian and Northern Thai scripts

Harald Hundius, Rüdiger Korff, funded by DFG

An actor oriented approach to the Indonesian art market. art and networks

Irina Vogelsang, funded by SDW

Trafficking of women into the Pearl River Delta

Angie Ng

BMZ: Ministry of Economic Corporation

DFG: German research Council

Bayerische Eliteförderung: Scholarship of the Bavarian Research Fund

SDW: Foundation of German Business

Previous projects

Research Report 2005 & 2011 

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