Luce-SEA’s theme of comparative authoritarianism and its project of bridging SE Asian Studies and SE Asian American studies intersect in the research archive. Archival collecting and access are not ethically neutral practices. Rather, they may reflect and perpetuate inequality.\u00a0Influenced by social justice movements, Critical Archival Studies questions the power differentials assumed in archival collecting and access, and centers curatorial responsibilities in communities who may re-interpret, re-define and use materials for community-based public memory projects. In this vein,\u00a0Luce-SEA aims to pioneer archive-based research, art, and community-driven histories, with a focus on ethical methodologies addressing both the silences and multiplicity of voices in collections.<\/p>\n
Three major Luce-funded projects at UW Libraries include a professional Southeast Asia librarian training position, an archives fellows program, and a series of critical archival workshops. Details on these are below. You may also explore the Luce-SEA research themes and collections here. <\/a><\/p>\n In February 2021, Judith Henchy, head of the UW Libraries’ Southeast Asia section, led a panel discussion showcasing UW’s collections focusing on Southeast Asia. The discussion served to raise awareness about UW’s archives for community members interested in engaging with them, and to promote our archival fellowships and librarianship training position.<\/p>\n