Institute of Asian Research

The Institute of Asian Research (IAR) was founded in 1978 to be the focal point for Asia-related policy and current affairs as well as interdisciplinary scholarship on contemporary Asia at the University of British Columbia. It aims to build knowledge and networks that support deep understanding of and effective action on a wide range of domestic, regional, and global issues centered on Asia. IAR’s core expertise covers a range of Asia Pacific-relevant policy issues and current affairs, and its affiliated faculty are among the world’s leading experts on contemporary Asia.

IAR regularly hosts events on that bring together scholars, practitioners, and community members to assess the Indo-Pacific region and Canada’s engagement with it. Recent highlights include hosting events with: His Highness Tunku Zain Al‘Abidin from Malaysia, Director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) David Vigneault, and a delegation from ASEAN Universities.

IAR is currently led by Director Kai Ostwald, Associate Professor with the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and the Department of Political Science.

 

IAR Centres

Located on UBC’s Vancouver campus in the beautiful C.K. Choi Building that was designed and built to house the institute, IAR is home to five interdisciplinary and regionally-focused research centres, as well as several related programs and initiatives.

IAR also provides funding and support to the Myanmar Initiative led by Dr. Kai Ostwald, the Xinjiang Documentation Program led by Dr. Timothy Cheek and the Program on Inner Asia led by Dr. Julian Dierkes.

 

 

 

Contact the Institute of Asian Research

 

Institute of Asian Research (IAR)
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, C.K. Choi Building
University of British Columbia
Room 253-1855 West Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z2