"Ecological Criticism in Southeast Asian Literature: History, Myth, and Society"

Following developments in the US and the West, ecology and ecoliterary studies are expanding to many areas of Asia, including Southeast Asia. In Vietnam today, ecology in general and ecoliterary criticism in particular have been attracting the attention of researchers. Several research works, articles, and conferences have begun to focus on ecoliterary criticism, but the complexity, diversity, and shifts in ecoliterary criticism still need to be explored and studied in depth, opening up many other branches. This is because viewing literature through an ecological lens will yield new and useful discoveries, contributing to solving current environmental problems caused by industrialization and modernization. Furthermore, Southeast Asia in general, and Southeast Asian literature in particular, is becoming a target for ecocriticism and ecologists worldwide because it clearly expresses issues of ecological-environment, ecological-cultural, and ecological-spiritual aspects.

Overview of the conference

The international conference “Ecological Criticism in Southeast Asian Literature: History, Myth, and Society” was organized to connect literary discourses with discussions on the environment and ecology; thereby promoting interdisciplinary research trends in literature in particular and social sciences and humanities in general, and increasing interaction between academic research and practical issues in society.

In his opening remarks, Professor Pham Quang Minh emphasized the importance of the conference, especially since the conference topic had not received sufficient attention within the research community. The Rector believed that the conference would contribute to the international integration trend of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. He hoped that the papers could be published in prestigious international scientific journals, including those listed in the ISI database. On behalf of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Professor Pham Quang Minh affirmed that the University is always a reliable address and forum for academic exchange and interaction, creating necessary solutions to practical problems.

Professor Pham Quang Minh delivered the opening remarks at the conference.

Following the opening remarks, the conference proceeded to the plenary session with keynote presentations by two leading experts in ecological criticism worldwide: Professor Hellen Tiffin (University of Wollongong, Australia) with a presentation on "Narrative Strategies and the Survival of Species"; and Professor Graham Hugglen (University of Leeds, UK) with a presentation on "Human-Animal Tensions and the Image of the Sad Whale".

Professor Hellen Tiffin presented a paper at the conference.

In addition to the two general sessions, the conference included 10 subcommittees focusing on issues such as: envisioning Southeast Asian societies through ecology; ethnicity ecology and ethnic diversity; women and nature in Southeast Asian literature; ecological consciousness; ancient cultures, water, forests, and people; the construction of myths about geological pasts; myths and ecology; environmental allegories of urbanization; social and environmental injustices; human-induced ecological crises and trauma discourses.