The Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs (MCAA) has a rich history spanning over seven decades. Initially established in 1952 as the Far Eastern Affairs Conference at the University of Oklahoma, the event was founded by Percy W. Buchanan, a former missionary to Japan and a pioneer of Asian Studies. Over the years, MCAA has evolved into a pivotal platform for scholars and students passionate about Asian studies, attracting more than 200 participants annually. This year, the University of Notre Dame proudly hosted the 2024 MCAA, underscoring the university's significant role in highlighting the importance of topics ranging from, but not limited to, sustainability, migration, and the intersections of religion and politics in Asia. 

The event offers a platform for scholars to share their research on a wide range of Asian topics, including prestigious keynote addresses, roundtables, and paper presentations. One of the central discussions this year was the Presidential Luncheon Panel titled “Asian Studies and Global Affairs: Examining New Agendas,” featuring esteemed panelists from Notre Dame and other renowned institutions. Keynote speaker Hyaeweol Choi, president of the Association for Asian Studies, also presented “Home Cooking and Gendered Labor in Global Korea,” providing insights into the complex gender dynamics in South Korean food culture.

Our linguistics and TESOL minor students have also contributed their research to this vital conversation. John Peterson, who presented “Japanese Language Ideology Through the Analysis of English Loanwords in Domestic Japanese Ramen Advertisements,” explores the cultural and linguistic exchange between Japan and the West. Lacey Young presented her research on “The Usage of Hawaiian-Pidgin-English in Asian Americans in Hawaii.” Her work highlights Hawaii’s unique linguistic landscape and its impact on identity within Asian American communities. Janet Federici presented “Teaching Herself Inside the Language Classroom: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Conflicts.” Janet's presentation delves into language learners’ challenges when navigating personal motivation in structured learning environments.

Each student exemplifies Notre Dame’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth and cross-cultural understanding. Their hard work and dedication to their research inspire all who are part of this community. We are proud of John, Lacey, and Janet for representing Notre Dame and sharing their insights at the MCAA!

Originally published by Kristin Park at cslc.nd.edu on September 27, 2024.