• Date: October 16th, Thursday, 2025, 11:00 – 12:30
• Location: Room 303, SNUAC (Bldg. 101)

The Asia Regional Information Center (ARIC) has long been accumulating and providing in-depth quantitative data on Asian regions, laying the groundwork for Asia-related research in Korea. However, to fully grasp the complex and multilayered phenomena of contemporary Asia—constantly shifting and evolving—new types of data and approaches are required beyond traditional statistical datasets.

To this end, the Center is organizing a seminar series under the key themes of “Data,” “Area Studies,” and “Asia.” This series aims to expand the methodological horizons of Asian Studies by inviting experts from diverse disciplines. It will explore how various forms of data can be integrated into area research—from qualitative data that capture voices on the ground, to news big data that reflect social currents, to critical interpretations of public data revealing the subtext of policies, and even to natural science data that directly affect human life.

Ultimately, this series seeks to move beyond fragmented understandings of Asia and instead foster an academic forum that integrates diverse data and perspectives—creating a multidimensional and reflective approach to analyzing and thinking about contemporary Asian issues.

Program Schedule and Topics

1. Tamura (Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Japanese Studies, SNU): National Land Policy and Regional Inequality in Japan through Public Data

2. Jinah Park (Senior Research Fellow, SNU Institute for Environmental Planning): Social Applications of Scientific Data: Analyzing Heatwave Events in Asia

3. Junyoung Park (Department of Asian Languages and Civilizations, SNU): Understanding Qualitative Research Methods: Focusing on In-Depth Interviews and Participant Observation

4. Byungok Ko (Education & Research Group for Innovative Future Spatial Planning, SNU): Enhancing Qualitative Research through News Big Data: The Case of Offshore Wind Power Transition