Asian Ethnology Podcast

Moving Asian Ethnology to Scholastica

In this episode, Asian Ethnology co-editor and managing editor Ben Dorman discusses the journal's ongoing move to the Scholastica publishing platform and the broader commitment to open access and sustainability that drives it. Asian Ethnology has been publishing research on the peoples and cultures of Asia since 1942, first as Folklore Studies, then as Asian Folklore Studies, and now in its current form. The journal is fully funded by Nanzan University and remains free to read and free to publish in — a genuine Diamond Open Access model. Ben reflects on the motivations behind the transition, including modernizing editorial workflows, improving discoverability, and offering readers content in both HTML and PDF formats. He also discusses the decision to discontinue self-produced print editions, focusing resources instead on digital accessibility, environmental responsibility, and long-term sustainability. The episode highlights the people behind the journal's work and emphasizes Asian Ethnology's continuing mission to deepen understanding of Asia's cultures, promote scholarly exchange, and connect researchers around the world. Background music courtesy of shamisen master Koji Yamaguchi. Used with permission.

Interview with Peter Knecht, former editor of Asian Folklore Studies

Interviewer: Ben Dorman, co-editor Asian Ethnology Recorded 8 June 2017, Nagoya, Japan Peter Knecht was the editor of Asian Folklore Studies from 1980 until 2007. The journal changed its name to Asian Ethnology in 2008. In this extended interview, Peter discusses his experiences working as the editor of Asian Folklore Studies. He talks about when he first encountered the journal working under founding editor, Matthias Eder, and what happened when he took over the journal in 1980. 

Interview with John Powers

Interviewer: Ben Dorman In this episode, John Powers (Deakin University) discusses an interdisciplinary project involving historians, anthropologists, scientists, and folklorists concerning rivers that originate in Tibet, which play a key role in global hydrological cycles yet are in crises as a result of multiple threats.  

Interview with Susanne Klien

Interviewer: Ben Dorman, co-editor Asian Ethnology Recorded 11 March 2011 In this episode, anthropologist Susanne Klien discusses her recent book Urban Migrants in Rural Japan: Between Agency and Anomie in a Post-growth Society (SUNY Press, 2020). She touches on her motivations for doing the research, the reasons for migrants relocating to rural areas, and some of the challenges they face after relocation, amongst other issues. She also addresses some questions that were asked in a book talk given on 22 February 2021 that was part of the Asian Ethnology Series. 

Interview with Steven Fedorowicz

Interviewer: Mark Bookman Recorded: Wednesday Feb 17th 2021 This episode features a discussion with Steven Fedorowicz, cultural anthropologist, visual anthropologist, and associate professor at Kansai Gaidai University. Steven will be giving a talk on “Representations of Deaf People in Japan: Inspiration, Outrage and Real Life,” as part of the “Disability and Japan in the Digital Age Series” via Zoom on May 14, 2021 (Details to follow). In discussing some of what he will be presenting, Steven talks about his ongoing project concerning media representations of deaf people and culture in Japan, and his introduction to his studies on and experiences with deaf communities. He also touches on his personal experiences that his understandings and approaches to deaf communities and disability studies. Music used with kind permission of the performer, shamisen master Koji Yamaguchi. Copyright 2021, Asian Ethnology Podcast