Written by Aleksandrs Gross. This final piece of the special issue reflects on the challenges and approaches to studying Taiwan for the scholars interviewed. Despite the lack of institutionalised academic pathways and fragmented funding compared to other regional studies, there are approaches that, while not guaranteeing academic success, do significantly increase one’s chances of making a passion for Taiwan academically viable.
Written by Aleksandrs Gross and Gunter Schubert. Gunter Schubert believes that maintaining some distance from the object of inquiry is sensible for analytical clarity and intellectual independence. The field of Taiwan studies cannot be a discipline in and of itself; it must span disciplines. Reflecting on his own academic journey, he believes that an academic career cannot be planned and that each step is valuable.
Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Chun-yi Lee’s path into Taiwan Studies was the result of following research questions that matched her interests and skills. She chose to study the island from the outside within a specific academic discipline. As the director of the Taiwan Research Hub at Nottingham University, she sees herself as a communicator, sharing what she knows, and as a facilitator, encouraging others to explore further.
Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Prof. Niki J.P. Alsford’s journey into the field of Taiwan studies was the result of a series of interests, each of which brought him a little closer to Taiwan. He remains optimistic about the future of Taiwan studies in offering cultural intelligence beyond surface familiarity, and also believes that remaining open, and saying yes to all opportunities is crucial for aspiring scholars.
Written by Aleksandrs Gross. Today, Ming-yeh Rawnsley is one of the foremost authorities on Taiwanese language cinema, the founder of the International Journal of Taiwan Studies (IJTS), and the former Secretary-General of the European Association of Taiwan Studies (EATS). However, her career was driven by her interests, leading her to break conventional academic paths and combine specialisations creatively.
Written by Aleksandrs Gross. This second article on Professor Dafydd Fell explores the defining experiences of his career in a more institutional context. In particular, the establishment of the European Association of Taiwan Studies, and the development of the Taiwan Studies Centre and the Taiwan Master’s programme at SOAS. This article concludes with advice for those starting out and key takeaways.
