The Center for Southeast Asia & its Diasporas

The University of Washington Center for Southeast Asia & its Diasporas (CSEAD) is a National Resource Center for Southeast Asian Studies funded by the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Title VI of the Higher Education Act (HEA).  Established in 1986, the Center and the Southeast Asia Studies Program are a source of information on the peoples and cultures of Southeast Asia for the University of Washington, for K-12 teachers and post-secondary educators, for the Greater Puget Sound area, Washington State, and the nation.  The Center is also recognized globally through its many collaborative international programs with partner institutions in Southeast Asia.

Degree Programs

Students in the Jackson School of International Studies may work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies (Southeast Asia concentration) and a Master of Arts in Southeast Asia Studies.

The Center for Southeast Asia & its Diasporas also works with the Evans School of Public Affairs, the Global Health and Health Sciences departments, the School of Social Work, the School of Marine Affairs, and other UW programs that address issues related to the countries of Southeast Asia.

The Southeast Asia Studies Program facilitates the study of Southeast Asia with special emphasis on those areas of the region from which significant numbers of migrants and refugees have come to Washington State and the US, and which are important to our role in the Pacific Rim.  The particular area strengths of faculty at the University of Washington lie in the study of Indonesia, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Burma (Myanmar).

The Southeast Asian languages offered on a regular basis through the Southeast Asian Studies Program include Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese.

K-12 Teacher Education

The Center for Southeast Asia & its Diasporas conducts a wide range of continuing education and professional development workshops to assist K-12 educators in bringing Southeast Asia into their classrooms.  CSEAD’s offerings for K-12 educators include country-focused workshops, performances, lectures, and a collection of curricular materials.  CSEAD outreach programming brings the expertise of UW faculty and visiting scholars in Southeast Asian studies to its audiences of educators across the Northwest.

The Jackson School of International Studies outreach team maintains linkages with local, state, and national educational agencies such as the Washington State Council for the Social Studies, the National Council for the Social Studies, the World Affairs Council, and others.  The outreach team also works closely with local museums such as the Seattle Asian Art Museum, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Burke Museum.  These partnerships allow the Center to reach a wide range of individuals and organizations yearly in an ongoing effort to disseminate up-to-date and engaging information on Southeast Asia-related topics. For more information visit our K-12 Education Resources page, or the Jackson School K-14 Teaching Resources page.