Australians studying Asia:
the ASAA 1976-1997

http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/King/King01.html

Rebecca King

Chapter Eight: Publications Series

Although the promotion of Australian Asian studies scholarship to the wider community appears not to have been the most critical priority of the Association, the various publications series can be viewed in this context[1]. The Southeast Asia Publications Series (SEAPS) was launched in 1979[2], and subsequently various other series were developed. Initially these had a regional focus but there have also been a Comparative Series and a Women in Asia Series. The series were developed to provide Australian resources on Asia and provided support for scholars' careers, as well as enhancing the reputation of Australian scholars internationally. They are scholarly volumes for an academic audience, and contrast with the 'Current Issues in Asian Studies' series which was directed at a general readership.

Each of the series was through the initiative of individuals and although endorsed by Council relied on personal commitment. The variety of arrangements, different editorial teams and changing publishers coupled with different financial and commercial arrangements, has been much debated, since the publications rely to varying extents on financial resources of the Association[3].

SEAPS was the initiative of Anthony Reid who saw it as an opportunity to let the world know what was happening in Australia[4]. At the launch he opined 'we hope to cut some ice in Europe and North America but it is in our own region that we will stand or fall'[5]. Two years earlier Reid had recognised that Australian scholarly publications were mostly too expensive to sell well in Asia and that as most Australian publishers had partnership arrangements with British and American publishers they were unlikely to court Asian partners[6]. At that time it was said to be difficult to have material published in Australia or Southeast Asia[7]. SEAPS was to make Australian scholarly work available not only to colleagues and schools but also to universities in Southeast Asia[8]. A review of SEAPS in The Australian suggested that the series would demonstrate how well and in what manner Southeast Asian studies in Australia had 'come of age'[9]. Within the ASAA the series was promoted on the basis of scholarly integrity and international reputation[10]. SEAPS was the first and remains the best established publication series with twenty eight volumes, indicating the numerical strength and academic vigour of Southeast Asian scholars in Australia. The series was promoted initially as a model appropriate to publications on all other regions[11], though as yet there has been no series dedicated to West Asia[12]. This reinforces the view that such endeavours within the ASAA always rely on volunteers and in this case the membership base and hence potential market is limited[13].

The co-publisher with the ASAA of the first SEAPS volumes was Heinemann Educational Books (Asia) but after 1982 Oxford University Press (OUP) was the publisher[14]. By 1987 a new agreement had been reached with Allen and Unwin Australia for worldwide publication[15], and it remains the publisher. From 1997 publication will be jointly with the University of Hawaii Press in an attempt to increase North American distribution[16]. This furthering of the goal of international credentials for Australian scholarship had been attempted with some earlier volumes: Philippine Social History: global trade and local transformation was published in Australia and Hawaii and reprinted by Ateneo de Manila University Press for the Philippines[17]; other titles have been translated into Indonesian[18]. Road to exile: the Indonesian nationalist movement, 1927-1934 by John Ingleson was translated for publication in Jakarta and caused controversy in Indonesia in 1981 due to references it contained to letters allegedly written by former President Sukarno to Dutch authorities. The authenticity of these letters was questioned within Indonesia[19]. OUP was unwilling to distribute Dr Richard Robison's Indonesia, the rise of capital in Southeast Asia because of anticipated unfavourable reaction in Indonesia: it was offered subsequently to Allen and Unwin and appeared in 1986[20].

In 1982 the SEAPS editorial committee noted the emphasis on history in their publications and wished to broaden the disciplinary range[21]. The emphasis reflected the major role of social scientists, particularly historians, within the Association. In 1989 the editorial board again committed itself to broadening the range of topics noting that history and anthropology had been predominant and that Indonesia had received particular attention. More recently SEAPS has advertised for manuscripts in a range of areas: politics, economics, cultural studies, communication studies, gender studies, anthropology, sociology, and literature as well as history[22]. The editorial committee noted that volumes were dependent on the material being written in Australia, by a predominantly Indonesianist/Southeast Asian studies community[23]. The emphasis on Indonesian studies not only reflected membership[24] but also matched the interests of publishers[25]. The 1982 contract with OUP explicitly noted strong reservations about titles covering Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam due to market viability[26]. The first volume on Thailand was published in 1984[27], and proposed volumes in 1989 on Malaysia and Vietnam were seen as redressing the balance[28].

In 1985 it was proposed that the editors of all series, should move in their emphasis from printing front line research monographs to commissioning tertiary level textbooks[29]. The problematic nature of the range and idealism of the SEAPS aims were recognised in the 1985 negotiations with publishers; it was difficult to publish work by emerging Australian scholars at reasonable prices while simultaneously generating sufficient income from royalties and sales to finance further publications[30]. Nonetheless in 1997 SEAPS remains financially viable and has sustained a consistently high number of quality publications[31]. It is the series against which others have been judged, despite the fact that other series have not all received the same support and have been variously published. SEAPS editors[32] have remained active on the Council and the personal investment of key players has ensured success.

At the December 1982 Council Meeting an East Asia Publications Series (EAPS) was established, to complement SEAPS, in conjunction with the Department of Far Eastern History, Research School of Pacific Studies, ANU. Wang Gungwu (apparently under strong pressure from the Japanese Studies Association of Australia [33]) in conjunction with Stephen Large was the prime mover[34]. At the March 1982 Executive Meeting he recognised that if EAPS were published it would reflect a desire to publish on that region and was not because of a plethora of good manuscripts awaiting publication[35]. The arrangement with ANU lasted until 1988 when, following the collapse of the original Committee[36], the series was taken over by the Association[37]. By 1986 there were three titles[38]. In the following year it was noted that the scope of published and proposed volumes appeared to be confined to history, language and literature[39]. A proposal from SUNY Press to publish the East Asia series was recommended in 1994 by a Council attracted to US distribution and the apparently low-risk financial arrangements, but this did not eventuate[40]. In 1995 the series publishers Allen and Unwin withdrew from EAPS which had not been published since 1991, but subsequently Routledge (London) restabilised the series in 1997[41].

The South Asian Publications Series (SAPS) was mooted as early as 1982 in a letter to the Secretary[42]. The idea was presented to Council as a means for the ASAA to demonstrate its commitment to a third region of Asia and to make its publishing program strikingly comprehensive[43]. The latter point was emphasised in the press release for the first book in the series, which claimed that the Association could boast a scholarly program covering Pakistan to Japan and Indonesia[44]. SAPS was a reincarnation of the 'Monographs on South Asia' series formerly produced at ANU from 1977 to 1983[45]. Council approved the series in 1984, but not until the 1986 Conference was the first volume, Holding India to the Empire: the British Conservative Party and the 1935 Constitution by Dr Carl Bridge, launched[46]. Within five years 17 titles had been published[47], all by Sterling Publishers (India)[48].

The Comparative Studies in Asian History and Society series was endorsed by Council in 1985[49] though it had been proposed three years earlier[50]. It was envisioned as a forum for innovative Australian scholarship in the whole field of Asian studies[51]. Under the general editorship of Dr Michael Pearson and Dr Al McCoy, a guest editor was to be appointed for each collection of comparative essays. Work on the first volume Brides of the sea: port cities of Asia from the 16th-20th centuries edited by Associate Professor Frank Broeze, published jointly with UNSW Press, proceeded slowly in 1987 due to some late submissions and illness of the editor[52]. It was published in 1989. Preparations began on a second volume but it was never completed[53]. The series was renamed the Comparative Asian Studies Series in 1991 when the Institute of Asian Studies at La Trobe University assumed responsibility for the series under the editorship of Yoshio Sugimoto[54]. The first publication in this new series[55] published by La Trobe University Press, carried no indication of its association with the ASAA. This was a matter of great concern for an Association which saw its publications series as one its most publicity-effective elements[56]. Another Frank Broeze book was said to be proceeding slowly in 1995[57] but by 1997, La Trobe University Press was no longer operating, and Sugimoto was no longer involved. The series was suspended to be reviewed in a year[58].

The Women in Asia Publications Series (WIAPS) was not explicitly an initiative of the Women's Caucus[59] though it was organised by women active in the Caucus and fulfilled its goals of highlighting the topic of women in Asia, and promoting women scholars. In March 1994 the publications series was noted as being $5000 in deficit. Later in the year it was recorded that the series was not making losses though seeding funds had not been recouped and the treasurer had not been involved in monitoring the series finances[60]. In 1995 it was recognised that good management would be needed to ensure long term viability[61]. The following year the WIAPS editorial committee decided to suspend the series at which stage the deficit was $18840.57. There was vigorous discussion at the AGM and a recognition that the series had served members well and was 'probably unique in the world'. The first three titles had sold out but there were problems in the overall cost structure, and no properly documented arrangement with the publisher[62]. Following reorganisation and a satisfactory financial plan Council appointed Dr Louise Edwards as editor of WIAPS (Allen and Unwin had agreed to forgo bills if a new editorial board was appointed) with procedures and contractual arrangements as previously followed by SEAPS[63].

In 1988 the ASAA discussed a publication series aimed at the general public. 'Current Issues in Asian Studies' would be twenty to thirty page booklets, marketed at a low cost of two to three dollars, and published three times a year for teachers, school students, business, the media and the wider community. It fitted neatly the broad vision of publicising and encouraging interest in Asia and in particular reflects the Association's specific interest in recruiting teachers[64]. The first publication was of Wang Gungwu's 1988 Conference lecture, and two subsequent issues were compilations of important speeches concerning Australia's relationship with Asia[65]. In the event only these three issues eventuated, and publication ceased due to distribution problems[66].

The ASAA series have had varying success, and although not all ventures have thrived there has been a consistent output of publications raising the profile of Asian Studies both domestically and internationally.

Footnotes

[1] A list of the publications of the Association is provided in Appendix A: ASAA Publications Series.

[2] Marr, D, (Chair, Southeast Asia Publications Series Editorial Committee), 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', ASAA Review, vol5, no3, April, 1982, pp48-50, p48.

[3] Conversation with Helen Jarvis, Sydney, 11th September 1997.

[4] Conversation with Anthony Reid, Canberra, 10th February 1997.

[5] Marr, D, (Chair, Southeast Asia Publications Series Editorial Committee), 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', ASAA Review, vol5, no3, April, 1982, pp48-50, p50.

[6] Reid, A, 'Relating to Asia', ASAA Review, vol1, no2, November 1977, pp1-4, p2.

[7] 'ASAA Council Meeting from ST Leong, Secretary', ASAA Review, vol1, no1, July 1977, pp5-8, pp6-7.

[8] Letter from John Ingleson to T Magi, 24 July 1979, with attached submission. In folder labelled 'ASAA 1978/79', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 2 of 6.

[9] O'Malley, WJ, 'The Asian Connection', The Australian, 20 August 1980.

[10] 'Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held at Rotunda Theatre 1, at Monash University, Clayton, Victoria at 2.00pm, on Wed 12th May, 1982'. In folder labelled 'Council and Executive meeting 1980-1982', MS8054, 13/9/88 consignment, box 1 of 6. Ingleson J (Chair, SEAPS Committee), 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series Report to ASAA Council August 1987', 1 August 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[11] 'ASAA Council Meeting from ST Leong, Secretary', ASAA Review, vol1, no1, July 1977, pp5-8, pp6-7.

[12] Council Minutes, 6 March 1994. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/coun94-1.htm) (15/2/1997).

[13] See Chapter Five: Regional Balance for further discussion.

[14] Marr, D, (Chair, Southeast Asia Publications Series Editorial Committee), 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', ASAA Review, vol5, no3, April, 1982, pp48-50, p50. SEAPS number seven, de Jesus, EC, and McCoy, AW (eds), Philippine social history: global trade and local transformation, Sydney, 1982, was published by George Allen and Unwin and by the University of Hawaii Press.

[15] Ingleson, J (Chair, Southeast Asia Publications Committee), 'Southeast Asia Publications Series', nd. Private papers of John Ingleson. Conversation with John Ingleson, Sydney, 16th October 1997.

[16] 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', Asian Studies Review, vol20, no3, April, 1997, p165.

[17] See footnote 14, this chapter. Reid, A, 'Report to ASAA Council Southeast Asia Publications Series', 15 November 1984. Private papers of John Ingleson. 'Asian Studies Association of Australia: Books on Southeast Asia from Australia', nd. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[18] Reid, A, 'Report to ASAA Council Southeast Asia Publications Series', 15 November 1984. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[19] Ingleson, J, Road to exile: the Indonesian nationalist movement, 1927-1934, Singapore, 1979. Mackie, J, 'Commentary', ASAA Review, vol5, no2, November, 1981, pp41-44, pp43-44. Marr, D, (Chair, Southeast Asia Publications Series Editorial Committee), 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', ASAA Review, vol5, no3, April, 1982, pp48-50, p48.

[20] Robison, R, Indonesia, the rise of capital, Sydney, 1986. Reid, A, 'Report to ASAA Council Southeast Asia Publications Series', 15 November 1984. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[21 Marr, D, (Chair, Southeast Asia Publications Series Editorial Committee), 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', ASAA Review, vol5, no3, April, 1982, pp48-50, p50.

[22] 'ASAA Southeast Asia Publications Series', Asian Studies Review, vol20, no3, April, 1997, p165.

[23] Ingleson, J (Chair, SEAPS Editorial Committee), 'Report to the ASAA Council, 3-4 March 1989'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[24] See Chapter Five: Regional Balance.

[25] Letter from Jennifer Brewster (Research Assistant, SEAPS) to D Chandler, K Foulcher, J Fox, J Ingleson, A Milner, 25 March 1985. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[26] Letter from DJM Tate to David Marr (Chair, SEAPS Editorial Committee), 20 April 1982. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[27] Mackie, J, 'Commentary', ASAA Review, vol8, no2, November, 1984, pp40-45, p43. Batson, BA, The end of the absolute monarchy in Siam, Singapore, 1984.

[28] Ingleson, J (Chair, SEAPS Editorial Committee), 'Report to the ASAA Council, 3-4 March 1989'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[29] 'Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia held on Friday 29 November at the University of New South Wales'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[30] Letter from Jennifer Brewster (Research Assistant, SEAPS) to D Chandler, K Foulcher, J Fox, J Ingleson, A Milner, 25 March 1985. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[31] Council Minutes, 15 February 1997. (http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/Minutes/minutes-97-02.html) (19/8/1997).

[32] SEAPS editorial committee chairs: A Reid 1977-1985, (D Marr during a period of Reid's study leave), J Ingleson 1985-1995, AC Milner 1995 to the present.

[33] Letter from Andrew Fraser to John Ingleson (ASAA Secretary), 27 May 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[34] 'Ingleson, J, 'Report on ASAA Council Meeting, 5 December 1982', ASAA Review, vol6, no3, April, 1983, pp63-65, p65.

[35] 'Minutes of the ASAA Executive Meeting held at the Australian National University on Friday 5 March 1982'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[36] Fraser, A (Acting Chair, FEH/ASAA Publications Committee), 'Report to ASAA Council FEH/ASAA East Asia Publications', 16 July 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[37] 'ASAA Executive Meeting Thursday 31 March 1988 at the University of Sydney Minutes'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[38] Oates, LR, Populist Nationalism in prewar Japan: a biography of Nakano Seigo, Sydney, 1985. Rule, PA, K'ung-tzu or Confucius?: the Jesuit interpretation of Confucianism, Sydney, 1986. Hooper, B, China stands up: ending the Western presence, 1948-1950, Sydney, 1986.

[39] 'Minutes of the Meeting of the Council of the Asian Studies Association of Australia 1 August 1987 at the University of Sydney'. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[40] Council Minutes, 28 August 1994. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/94-3.htm) (15/2/1997). Conversation with John Ingleson, Sydney, 16th October 1997.

[41] Executive Minutes, 11 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-1.htm) (15/2/1997). Council Minutes, 15 February 1997. (http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/Minutes/minutes-97-02.html) (19/8/1997). Conversation with John Ingleson, Sydney, 16th October 1997.

[42] Letter from Robin Jeffrey to 'John', 29 December 1982. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[43] Jeffrey, R, 'Submission to ASAA Council', 26 November 1984. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[44] 'Landmark for Australian Publishing about Asia', ASAA press release, 5 May 1986, (attachment 6 for Meeting of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, at Womens College, University of Sydney, Sunday 11 May 1986). Private papers of John Ingleson.

[45] Jeffrey, R, 'Submission to ASAA Council', 26 November 1984. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[46] Bridge, C, Holding India to the Empire: the British Conservative Party and the 1935 Constitution, New Delhi, 1986.

[47] McKay, E, 'ASAA Matters: President's report to Council, 1990', Asian Studies Review, vol14, no2, November, 1990, pp167-172, p170.

[48] Letter from John Ingleson (ASAA Treasurer) to NG Barrier, 19 February 1987. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[49] 'ASAA Council Meeting, November 1985', ASAA Review, vol9, no3, April, 1986, pp69-70, p69.

[50] Ingleson, J, 'Report on ASAA Council Meeting, 5 December 1982', ASAA Review, vol6, no3, April, 1983, pp63-65, p65.

[51] Pearson, MN and McCoy, AW, 'Comparative Studies in Asian History and Society', (attachment for item 10, for meeting of ASAA Council, Friday 29 November 1985, at the University of NSW). Private papers of John Ingleson. Broeze, FJA (ed), Brides of the sea: port cities of Asia from the 16th-20th centuries, Kensington, NSW, 1989.

[52] Pearson, MN, 'Comparative Studies in Asian History and Society: Report for ASAA Council', 25 January 1988. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[53] Pearson, MN, 'Comparative Studies in Asian History and Society: Report to ASAA Council', 20 February 1989. Private papers of John Ingleson.

[54] 'The Comparative Asian Studies Series, Asian Studies Review, vol15, no2, November, 1991, p220.

[55] Gomes, A (ed), Modernity and identity: Asian illustrations, Bundoora, Vic, 1994.

[56] Executive Minutes, 11 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-1.htm) (15/2/1997).

[57] Executive Minutes, 11 March 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-1.htm) (15/2/1997).

[58] Council Minutes, 15 February 1997. (http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/Minutes/minutes-97-02.html) (19/8/1997).

[59] See Chapter Six: The Women's Caucus.

[60] Council Minutes, 6 March 1994. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/coun94-1.htm) (15/2/1997). Council Minutes, 28 August 1994. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/council/94-3.htm) (15/2/1997).

[61] Executive Minutes ('yet to be confirmed'), 20 August 1995. (http://www.ssn.flinders.edu.au/asian/exec/exec95-3.htm) (15/2/1997).

[62] Annual General Meeting Minutes, 10 July 1996. (http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/Minutes/minutes-96-07.html) (19/8/1997). Conversation with Helen Jarvis, Sydney, 11th September 1997. Conversation with Susan Blackburn, Sydney, 4th October 1997.

[63] Council Minutes, 15 February 1997. (http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/ASAA/Minutes/minutes-97-02.html) (19/8/1997).

[64] 'ASAA Executive Meeting Thursday 31 March 1988 at the University of Sydney Minutes'. Private papers of John Ingleson. 'Report from the ASAA Council and Executive', ASAA Review, vol11, no3, April, 1988, pp25-26, p26. 'New Publication Series', ASAA Review, vol11, no3, April, 1988, p27. 'ASAA Council Meeting 27-28 May 1988'. Private papers of John Ingleson. 'New ASAA Series on Current Issues in Asian Studies', ASAA Review, vol12, no2, November, 1988, p88.

[65] Wang, Gungwu, Trade and cultural values: Australia and the four dragons, Parkville, Vic, 1988. McKay, EM (ed), Challenges and opportunities: our future in Asia, speeches by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Employment, Education and Training, Parkville, Vic, 1988. McKay, EM (ed), Towards an Asia-literate society, papers by Stephen FitzGerald, Garth Boomer and Joseph Lo Bianco, Parkville, Vic, 1988.

[66] Conversation with John Ingleson, Sydney, 16th October 1997.

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