Asiatic Affairs Society: Publication Officer

Being part of Asiatic Society this year has allowed me to engage more deeply with questions I genuinely care about, particularly those connected to Southeast Asia, the region I grew up in. I’ve explored topics ranging from the impact of technology on teenagers and policy suggestions to debates regarding the death penalty in Singapore. 

If elected as Head of Publications, I have three clear priorities for the year ahead. Firstly, consistency to ensure structured publications. To do this, I would organise our content into five key subthemes: Technology & Sustainability, Economy & Development, Society & Identity, Security & Geopolitics, and Policy & Governance. By having defined pillars, it helps ensure that we cover the region in a balanced way while still allowing writers the flexibility to pursue their topics of interest.

Secondly, I would introduce an “Asia in Brief” segment, a concise weekly/bi-weekly news capsule summarising key developments across the region. This would allow members and subscribers to stay informed in an accessible way, whilst positioning Asiatic as a consistent and credible source of insight.

Lastly, I want to strengthen the editorial process itself with clearer drafting timelines, feedback for writers, and recruitment of Executive Writers throughout the year to ensure quality control and smoother proofreading. I believe that all writers should feel supported and that deadlines feel manageable, and the final output reflects the standard we are capable of.