Mentor Programme

The RSAA Mentoring Programme has been established to connect members and others with an interest in Asia through informal, one-to-one mentoring relationships. Whether you are seeking guidance at the beginning of your career, considering a new direction, or looking to share your experience with others, the programme offers an opportunity to learn from others, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful professional relationships through the Society.

Drawing on one of the RSAA’s greatest strengths – the breadth of knowledge and experience within its community – the Mentoring Programme connects participants across generations, professions and interests. Through these mentoring relationships, mentors and mentees exchange ideas, perspectives and practical experience, supporting professional growth while fostering lasting professional connections.

Mentoring relationships are voluntary, participant-led and tailored to the needs of each mentor and mentee. The RSAA’s role is to facilitate introductions and provide a framework for respectful and constructive engagement, allowing each mentoring partnership to develop in the way that best suits those involved.

Register your interest

  • Sophie Ibbotson

    Research Area:

    Water security, climate change, tourism and cultural heritage in Central Asia.

    Biography:

    Sophie is a consultant, researcher, and writer. She is Uzbekistan’s Ambassador for Ecology and the former Chairman of the RSAA.

    Preference:

    Available to meet online

  • Nick Fielding

    Research Area:

    The history of exploration of Central Asia, Ancient history of Central Asia, Central Asian nomadic textiles.

    Biography:

    Nick is a former Fleet Street reporter who has travelled extensively in Central Asia over the past 40 years.

    Preference:

    Available to meet in person or online.

  • Dr Adonis Li

    Research Area:

    Histories of Hong Kong, China, and their diasporas.

    Biography:

    Adonis is Lecturer in East Asian History at the University of Lincoln. His current projects include railways in south China and Chinese migration to the UK.

    Preference:

    Online preferred, but available to meet in person if needed.

  • Samantha Knights KC

    Research Area:

    Human rights, refugee and trafficking law, religion, rights in nature

    Biography:

    Barrister, Matrix Chair of Advisory Board of the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre Author of Law, Rights and Religion (OUP 2021) Adjunct Professor University of Miami School of Law (2018-2020)

    Preference:

    Online or in person where possible

  • Sally Macdonald

    Research Area:

    Non-Executive Director at JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust, Fidelity Asian Values plc, Allianz Global Investors UK and Companies within the Thesis Holdings Group.

    Biography:

    Sally had spent forty years in financial markets, of which over thirty were as an Asian fund manager, covering countries stretching from India to Australasia.

    Preference:

    Available to meet in person or online

  • Nick Miller

    Research Area:

    CIA, Modern Chinese and North Korean Politics, Cold War, Intelligence Studies, Intelligence History, American foreign policy, United States Air Force.

    Biography:

    Former United States Air Force East Asian Security Analyst for the Department of Defense; adjunct instructor of Chinese-North Korean intelligence issues for the Citadel Military College University of South Carolina.

    Preference:

    In-person or online

  • Dr Paul Chambers

    Research Area:

    Southeast Asian politics and foreign relations

    Biography:

    Paul is an author, Lecturer at University of Oklahoma, and Executive. Editor of Asian Affairs: An American Review.

    Preference:

    Available to meet online

  • James Crowden

    Research Area:

    Ladakh and Hindu Kush

    Biography:

    In 1973 James was held up by Kurdish communist bandits on Mount Ararat. In 1974 he undertook a Long Walk in the Hindu Kush. In 1976/77 he spent a winter in Zangskar. See Frozen River.

    Preference:

    Online

  • David Chaffetz

    Research Area:

    Middle East and Asian history.

    Biography:

    David is an author and independent scholar with a lifelong passion for Asian culture and history. Recent writings have focused on…

    Preference:

    Available to meet online.

  • Professor Raj Bhala

    Research Area:

    International trade law and Islamic law

    Biography:

    Raj is an author, lawyer and Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Kansas.

    Preference:

    Available to meet online