AAS-in-Asia Lahore 2026
LATE BREAKING SUBMISSIONS
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Accepting Late-Breaking Proposals Starting April 1, 2026
CLICK HERE TO READ DETAILS
Registrations Now Open
Join AAS-in-Asia Lahore 2026 and be part of a leading global gathering of scholars and practitioners.
Welcome to AAS-in-Asia Lahore 2026!
In 2026, Lahore prepares to host the Association for Asian Studies’ flagship AAS-in-Asia Conference, bringing together scholars, students, and practitioners from across Asia, West Asia, Africa, Middle East, and beyond.
With the theme Centering Asia: Refiguring Connections, Recharting Futures, this conference highlights Asia’s significance as a region of both continuity and reinvention. Home to more than 4.8 billion people, Asia contains some of the world’s largest economies, vibrant cultural and knowledge traditions, and dynamic histories of exchange. It is also shaped by persistent conflicts, climate disruption, and displacement.
By convening in Lahore, a historic crossroads of empires, faiths, trade, and creativity, this gathering underscores the urgency and opportunity of engaging Asia as a vital focus for rethinking global challenges and imagining just and livable futures.
We look forward to welcoming you to an inspiring and enriching experience!
MEET THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
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Dr. Adil Najam
Dr. Adil Najam is a globally recognized scholar of climate policy, sustainable development, and international cooperation. He currently serves as the Dean Emeritus and Professor of International Relations and Earth & Environment at Boston University and has previously led major international institutions focused on development and environment.
Originally from Pakistan, Dr. Najam’s work bridges academia, policy, and global diplomacy. He has advised governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society organizations on issues of climate change governance, sustainable development, and global negotiations. His research explores how developing countries engage with global environmental regimes and how equity and justice shape international climate policy.
A Warm Welcome from the Hosts
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We are grateful to the Association for Asian Studies for selecting LUMS to host the 2026 AAS-in-Asia Conference. It is a privilege to welcome over 1,000 participants from 37 countries, reflecting the breadth and diversity of this scholarly community. LUMS is deeply committed to advancing academic exchange in the Global South, and this gathering provides an important opportunity to deepen that commitment.
This is a challenging moment globally and across the region. In such a context, sustained scholarly engagement matters. The exchanges at the 2026 AAS-in-Asia Conference will not only advance research but also strengthen comparative perspectives, which will be especially important in the years ahead.
Hosting the conference in Lahore is significant. As a longstanding cultural and intellectual center, the city has been shaped by diverse traditions, histories, and political trajectories. It offers a meaningful context for the conversations we hope to advance here. I invite you not only to participate in this gathering, but to help shape the perspectives it advances.
Dr. Ali Cheema
Vice Chancellor, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Greetings! Ji ayan nu!
I am delighted to welcome you to the 2026 AAS-in-Asia conference in the historic city of Lahore. The conference has been organized by the Lahore School of Management Sciences (LUMS) in collaboration with the AAS. Since the first AAS-in-Asia at NUS in Singapore, the conference has been held in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Japan (virtually), South Korea, Indonesia, and Nepal. Each of these gatherings has enriched us by bringing us into dialogue with cutting-edge research in Asian studies and by introducing us to new friends and collaborators.
The theme for this year’s conference, “Centering Asia: Refiguring Connections, Recharting Futures,” could not be more apt, given its location in Lahore, Pakistan, which, for centuries, has been a political and cultural capital for diverse communities as well as a vital node in global trade networks. We hope you will engage with the 323 panels and 1200+ speakers who will join us in person or virtually and take advantage of the social gatherings, city tours, and delectable food. We are confident that these encounters will help you forge new research collaborations and friendships and, in the process, help to deepen our collective knowledge about and from Asia.
On behalf of the AAS Board, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizing committee, the program committee, sponsors, staff, and volunteers at LUMS and AAS for their incredible dedication and hard work.
Thank you, Lahore, for welcoming us!
Elora Shehabuddin
President, Association for Asian Studies
📌 Conference Update
As of today (13.04.2026), LUMS and the Association for Asian Studies (AAS) are continuing preparations to hold the conference in both in-person and hybrid formats.
We remain committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and engaging experience. Further updates will be shared regularly with prospective participants.
Welcome to Pakistan, welcome to Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
LUMS is Pakistan's leading research intensive university, excelling in teaching and driven by a philosophy of 'Learning Without Borders'.
For over three decades, LUMS has nurtured visionary leaders and change makers who are equipped to anticipate and tackle the challenges of society. Our beautiful 100 acre campus is a place where extraordinary things happen: the brightest and most talented minds come together to engage in meaningful dialogue, question the ordinary and explore innovative solutions to real-life problems.
HYBRID & VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
The conference will be held primarily in person at LUMS, with hybrid participation options available for those unable to travel due to visa, funding, or other constraints.
Limited virtual access options will be offered to ensure broader participation while maintaining the integrity of the in-person conference experience.
Location
Hybrid event:
Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
Lahore
Pakistan, 54792
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact aasinasia2026@lums.edu.pk