Research Fellows

At present the IIAS is host to 13 fellows. Below you will find an overview of their names and research topics:

Dr C. Chou) (Singapore)
Dr Chou is working within the programme Cultural Traditions in Endangered Minorities of South and Southeast Asia on 'The Orang Suku Laut (sea nomads): the indigenous Malays of Southeast Asia'.

Dr W.A.G. Derks (the Netherlands)
Dr Derks' topic is 'The search for Malayness' within the collaborative framework of Changing Lifestyles.

Dr M.L.L.G. Hockx (the Netherlands)
Dr Hockx is carrying out research on 'Literary societies and the literary field in pre-war republican China (1911-1937)'

Dr J.E.M. Houben (the Netherlands)
After having carried out research on 'Theoretical and socio-linguistic attitudes of Bhartrhari and later Sanskrit Grammarians' in 1994, Dr Houben will now take up his second fellowship at the IIAS in April doing research on 'the early history of Paninian grammar and the origin of eternal Sanskrit'.

Dr M.J. Klokke (the Netherlands)
Dr Klokke is working within the programme Cultural Traditions in Endangered Minorities of South and Southeast Asia looking at 'Principles of space arrangement and orientation in the ancient Hindu and Buddhist architecture of Indonesia'.

Dr M. Liechty (United States of America)
Dr Liechty is engaged in research on 'Mass media and consumer culture in Nepal'.

Dr P.P. Mohapatra (India)
Dr Mohapatra is studying 'The making of a coolie: recovering the experience of indentured Indian migrants in the Caribbean sugar plantations, 1838-1918'.

Dr S. Munshi (India)
Dr Munshi is working within the framework of the programme Changing Lifestyles. She is engaged in research on how traditional concerns of women are being changed to global concerns in the urban scenario of India, and how new forms of identity are available to women.

Dr J.C.M. Peeters (the Netherlands)
Dr Peeters cooperates with other fellows in the programme Changing Lifestyles, investigating 'Islamic youth groups in Indonesia: globalization and universalism in a local context'.

Dr D. Tooker (United States of America)
Dr Tooker is working within the programme Cultural Traditions in Endangered Minorities of South and Southeast Asia on 'Contextual hierarchy: the pragmatics of spatial signs among the Akha'

Dr M.P. Vischer (Switzerland)
Dr Vischer, working within the programme Cultural Traditions in Endangered Minorities of South and Southeast Asia, is undertaking research after 'Origin structures: a comparative socio-cosmological study'.

Dr Y. Zhang (People's Republic of China)
Dr Zhang's research topic is 'Administrative litigation in China and Japan'.


IIAS alumni
Dr R.J. Barendse; Dr B. Bhattacharya; Dr L. Dong; Dr C.R. Groeneboer; Prof. B.J. Ter Haar; Dr P. Pels; Dr R.P.E. Sybesma


IIAS offers senior scholars the possibility to engage in research work in the Netherlands. The period can vary from 1 to 4 months.
IIAS will welcome several senior visiting fellows in 1995:

March/May
Prof. F. Staal (retired professor of Philosophy and South Asian Languages)
Field of research:
Ritual Studies.
Proposed research: 'The structure of Balinese ritual'.

April/July
J. Acharya PhD. (former Ambassador of the Kingdom of Nepal to the United Nations) Field of research: Literature.
Proposed research: 'Literature and politics: reflection of change in Nepal'.

May/June and December/January
Prof. O. Prakash
Field of research: Economic, social and cultural history.
Proposed research: 'Trade as a variable in determining lifestyles: Indian merchants in the Indian Ocean Trade'.

September/December
Dr M. Roberts
Field of research: Ethnic violence and political culture.
Proposed research: 'Understanding Zealotry'.


Close cooperation with the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) has resulted in a regular exchange of scholars. The IIAS is expecting the following scholars to arrive soon:
May 1995
Dr Yeu-Farn Wang (Centre for Pacific Asia Studies, Stockholm)
'Chinese entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia: historical roots and modern significance'.

July 1995
Dr Timo Kaartinen (Academy of Finland)
'Local History and Society in Banda Ely (Kei Besar, Maluku Tenggara)'.

July/August 1995
Dr Oddvar Hollup (Nordland Research Institute, Bodø Norway)
'Islamic revivalism and political opposition among the Muslim minority of Indian origin in Mauritius'.



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