Canadian Research Centres Establish National Network to Advance Asia-Focused Research and Engagement

An association of Asia Research Centres in Canada has been launched to strengthen collaboration, coordination, and knowledge-sharing across Canada.

A group of leading Asia-focused research centres from universities and institutions across Canada have established the Association of Asia Research Centres in Canada (AARCC) / Association des Centres de Recherche sur l'Asie au Canada (ACRAC), a new national network dedicated to advancing research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on Asia and Canada–Asia relations. 

Established following its inaugural meeting on March 11, 2026, AARCC will serve as a Canada-wide coordinating platform—a "network of networks"—bringing together Asia research centres and related initiatives from across the country. The association aims to strengthen collaboration, improve information-sharing, and enhance engagement with policymakers, academic partners, and stakeholders in Canada and across Asia. 

The association was created in recognition of Asia's growing importance to Canada's economic prosperity, foreign policy, security, innovation ecosystem, and multicultural society. While many Canadian research centres have collaborated informally for years, members identified the need for a more structured national forum to coordinate research activities, share expertise, and amplify the impact of Canadian scholarship on Asia. 

"AARCC/ACRAC is founded on a simple but ambitious vision: to create a network of networks that brings together Canada's diverse Asia-related research expertise," said meeting host Victor V. Ramraj. "By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and amplifying the work of our members, we aim to create a stronger national ecosystem for research, dialogue, and engagement on Asia and Canada–Asia relations." 

Recent geopolitical developments and increased attention to Asia by federal and provincial governments have created significant opportunities for research, policy dialogue, and international engagement. By fostering coordination among research centres and networks across the country, AARCC will support more effective collaboration and facilitate timely, evidence-based contributions to public discussion and policy development. 

The association's founding vision is to: 

• provide a national forum for coordination among Asia-focused research centres and networks in Canada; 

• facilitate collaboration on research projects, conferences, workshops, and academic exchanges; 

• promote information-sharing and knowledge mobilization across institutions and regions; 

• support engagement with policymakers and other stakeholders on issues relating to Asia and Canada–Asia relations; 

• strengthen Canada's capacity for scholarly research, policy analysis, and Track 1.5 and Track 2 engagement; and 

• enhance the national and international visibility of Canadian expertise on Asia. 

AARCC is intended to be inclusive in scope, bringing together centres and networks focused on Asia as a whole, as well as those specializing in particular regions or countries. By creating opportunities for coordination and mutual support, the association will help connect established and emerging centres alike while promoting collaboration across disciplinary, institutional, and regional boundaries. 

As the association moves forward, members will explore opportunities for joint programming, coordinated outreach, and expanded engagement with government, academic, and international partners. 

The creation of AARCC reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Canada's Asia knowledge ecosystem and ensuring that Canadian researchers can contribute effectively to informed public discussion and policymaking on one of the world's most consequential regions. 

 The following organisations are inaugural members:

• Asian Studies Network, University of Ottawa 

• Canadian Southeast Asian Studies Initiative / Initiative canadienne pour l’étude du sud-est asiatique (CSEASI/ICESEA)  

• Canada and the Asia Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP), Thompson Rivers University 

• Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), University of Victoria 

• Center for Asian Studies/ Centre d'études asiatiques, Université de Montréal 

• Centre for Global Chinese Studies 全球中华研究中心, McGill University 

• Centre d’études et de recherches sur l’Inde, l’Asie du Sud et sa diaspora /Center for the Study and Research on India, South Asia and its Diaspora (CERIAS), Université du Québec à Montréal 

• Institute of Asian Research, University of British Columbia 

• The China Institute, University of Alberta 

• York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR), York University 

About the Association of Asia Research Centres in Canada (AARCC) 

The Association of Asia Research Centres in Canada (AARCC) / Association des centres de recherche sur l'Asie au Canada (ACRAC) is a national network of Asia-focused research centres and institutes dedicated to promoting collaboration, research excellence, knowledge-sharing, and public engagement on Asia and Canada–Asia relations. 

Media Contact: Katie Dey (kdey@uvic.ca)
Association of Asia Research Centres in Canada (AARCC)/ Association des centres de recherche sur l'Asie au Canada (ACRAC) 
Coordinator: Dr. Victor V. Ramraj (ramraj@uvic.ca)