Events

This workshop is jointly organized by the Inter-Asia Engagement and Science, Technology and Society clusters at the Asia Research Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.

The geological turn marks a significant intellectual shift in the humanities and social sciences, focusing on the intricate and often overlooked relationships between human societies and geological materials. This conceptual shift is influenced by the emergence of the Anthropocene, a term used to describe the epoch in which human activity has become a dominant force shaping Earth’s geological processes. This workshop departs and moves beyond the Anthropocene and situates the geological turn at the intersection of geology as science, geological materials, empires, nonhuman – geological entities and socio-ecological transformation specifically within the context of Asia.

As the workshop addresses the development of modern geological knowledge, a central question emerges: to what extent have colonial legacies shaped the formation of geological institutions in Asia? Colonial powers often viewed geology as a tool for resource extraction and control, thus influencing the methods and priorities of scientific inquiry. The legacy of this empire approach continues to shape geological institutions and practices in many parts of Asia, suggesting that modern geological knowledge in the region cannot be divorced from its colonial history. Understanding this connection helps illuminate the political economy of geology, wherein political entities, corporations, and scientists work together — sometimes in collaboration, sometimes in conflict — to develop geological knowledge that aligns with geopolitical and economic interests. In this sense, geology is not a neutral science but one deeply embedded in power dynamics.

The theme of nonhuman agents and geological entities further enriches this analysis by addressing how natural forces such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis act as active agents in shaping not only the physical landscape but also political and social structures. These geological events often transcend human control, revealing the vulnerability of societies to forces beyond their influence.

By connecting these themes — development of modern geological knowledge, the political economy of geology, the role of nonhuman agents, and the decolonization of geological science—workshop seeks to offer a comprehensive view of how area studies in Asia have been shaped by geology both historical and contemporary forces, as well as how it can be reimagined through more inclusive, non-colonial lenses. Workshop presenters will address the following thematic questions:

• Development of Modern Geological Knowledge — How have various Asian countries developed modern geological knowledge? In what ways have colonial legacies influenced geological science in Asia? What role have historical geological institutions and agencies played in shaping the field?
• The Political Economy of Geology — What role do political and economic interests play in advancing geology as a science in Asia? Who are the key players — such as states, empires, corporations, scientists, and geological agencies—at the intersection of political economy and geological knowledge? How do these actors collaborate to develop and distribute specific geological knowledge based on their political and economic interests?
• Nonhuman and Geological Entities — How do nonhuman agents and geological entities — such as water, rocks, wind, and other earthly materials — affect human life on Earth? How do geological events like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and typhoons serve as forces that shape human societies and their political and economic structures? This can include the emergence of hazardous waste and toxic elements that derive geological materials and are inherently geological.
• Decolonizing Geology in Asia — Is there alternative geological knowledge production occurring in Asia? How do non-Western and Indigenous knowledge systems contribute to geology, and what role do geological agencies play in promoting or hindering the decolonization of geological knowledge? This can include the relationship between geology and biology and geology and the human body.

WORKSHOP CONVENORS

Dr Fathun Karib | Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
Asst Prof Faizah Zakaria | Department of Southeast Asian Studies, National University of Singapore
Prof Tim Winter | Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

REGISTRATION

Registration is closed, and registered attendees have been given instructions on participating in this hybrid event. Please write to valerie.yeo@nus.edu.sg if you would like to attend the event.