Understanding Asia.
Informing decisions.
At the Leiden Asia Centre, we believe that insight drives action. Our research into the most pressing societal and geopolitical issues across Asia builds a crucial bridge with Europe—ensuring that the decisions made today lead to meaningful impact tomorrow. We work with government, academia and media to make expertise on Asia widely accessible and practically useful.
1 October, 09:00-17:00, Glazen Zaal, The Hague
LAC Anniversary Symposium:
A Decade of Dialogue
To celebrate our ten-year anniversary, we are hosting a symposium titled ‘A Decade of Dialogue: Asia and Europe in a Changing World’.
Prepare for a day full of lectures and debates by leading experts from academia, government and business!
Upcoming events
- Leiden
For decades, Asia was seen primarily as the world’s factory floor. Today, it has become one of the world’s most dynamic engines of innovation, technological development, and new ideas. From artificial intelligence and digital platforms to clean energy and advanced manufacturing, many of the innovations…
Speaker(s)
Prof. dr. Vinod Subramaniam
Prof. dr. Luc Sels
Puneet Shukla
- The Hague
How is India positioning itself in a rapidly changing global landscape, and what does this mean for Europe? On 1 September, during an event that is supported by the Indian Embassy in The Hague, the Leiden Asia Centre is pleased to welcome Ambassador Rahul Chhabra,…
Speaker(s)
Rahul Chhabra
Imme Smits
Nicolas Blarel
Meet the experts
Our experts offer insights on current developments in China, India, Japan, North and South Korea, the Indo-Pacific, and Southeast Asia. They explore themes such as digitalization, geopolitics, human rights and diplomacy. Whether part of our core team or external collaborators, our experts are available for media commentary, panel talks and public dialogue.
Asian (digital) media and communication, Migration and digital transnationalism, Platform and infrastructural studies
Indonesia, Diplomacy, Indonesia-Netherlands relations, Law & Governance, Public administration
East Asian International Relations, Post-Western IR, Genealogy of IR Knowledge, Identity Politics, Strategic Thinking in East Asia
Publications
Over the past decade, export controls have evolved from a specialised arms control and non-proliferation tool to a comprehensive mechanism for the maintenance of strategic economic advantages in the competition between great powers. China has played a central role in…
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how disinformation spreads. This report examines how AI intersects with contested information flows in Taiwan, one of the world’s most targeted democracies when it comes to foreign influence and digital manipulation. Drawing on interviews with fact-checkers,…
Latest Asia analyses
About the Leiden Asia Centre
Partners in Research & Knowledge
Asia is changing fast – and those changes matter here, too. At the Leiden Asia Centre, we explore how developments in Asia impact the Netherlands and Europe. From our office at Leiden University – one of Europe’s leading centres for Asian Studies – we offer scholarly expertise with real world impact, bridging knowledge between Asia and the Netherlands. Our projects go beyond academic research; we also organize public events, offer training, and publish work that sparks debate and shapes understanding.
Our services
The Leiden Asia Centre offers practical, concrete and research-based insights on Asia to policymakers, business executives and journalists. We conduct commissioned research, offer training programmes, host public events, and support stakeholders with region-specific knowledge. Our activities are grounded in academic expertise and aimed at informing policy, strengthening understanding and supporting informed engagement with Asia.
Research
We carry out research on Asia-related issues, focusing on regional and global (re)ordering and technological transformations. Our regional focus is East, South and Southeast Asia. Our projects result in accessible public reports that inform policy and deepen understanding of Asia’s role and interests in global developments.
Training
We provide expert-led training sessions and briefings for government, business and media, and other organizations looking to strengthen their Asia expertise and respond more effectively to regional developments. Our training sessions are professionally moderated, resulting in lively exchanges and insightful meetings.
Media & Commentary
Our experts regularly contribute to public debates through media appearances, interviews, and op-eds, using academic knowledge to provide in-depth understanding of news developments for general audiences.
Events
We organize lectures, panels, and conferences that bring together researchers, policymakers, and the public. Professionally moderated, these events foster informed discussion and create space for new ideas on Asia in the Netherlands and beyond.