asia connect

Connecting early-career professionals with mentors across Asian Studies

asia connect

Asia Connect is the RSAA’s programme to connect early-career professionals and graduate students with established figures in their fields 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.

Drawing on one of the RSAA’s greatest strengths – the breadth of knowledge and experience within its community – Asia Connect links participants across generations, professions and interests. Through these relationships, mentors and mentees exchange ideas, perspectives and practical experience, supporting professional growth and fostering lasting professional networks.

Mentoring relationships are voluntary, participant-led and tailored to the needs and availability of each mentor and mentee. The RSAA’s facilitates 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

  • Dr Bill Hayton

    Research Area:

    Chinese and Vietnamese history and foreign policy.

    Biography:

    Bill is an author and former BBC journalist. He is the Editor of the RSAA’s journal, Asian Affairs.

    Preference:

    Available to meet in person and online.

  • Professor Raj Bhala

    Research Area:

    International Trade Law, International Human Rights Law, Law and Literature, Shakespeare and Law

    Biography:

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

    Preference:

    Available to meet 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 a former Chairman of the RSAA.

    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

  • 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.