Ear to Asia

by Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

Politics Society & Culture

Season 1

Hard lessons for aid agencies at work in Myanmar

How do international aid agencies operate on the ground in Myanmar, with its its complex, unstable and sometimes hostile political and social environment? Anthropologist Dr Anne Décobert and civil society expert Dr Tamas Wells join host Ali Moore to examine the aims and realities of foreign humanitarian efforts in a poor but resource-rich country beset by ethnic conflict. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com.

North Korea's top defector speaks his mind

Thae Yong-ho, North Korea’s highest ranking defector, joins us in the studio to share his unique insights into North Korean society and how it’s been shaped by the Kim family. He also sheds light on North Korea’s nuclear program, Pyongyang’s relations with the US and China, and what a more “positive” future for the Korean peninsula might look like. Presented by Peter Clarke. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

The blessing and curse of Indonesia's resource economy

In Indonesia, as in many other developing economies, the resources sector makes millionaires or billionaires of the few, and often leaves the many to eke out a subsistence. In a country highly dependent on exports of petroleum, palm oil, timber and tin, what are the local dynamics at play in the global game of resource extraction? Political economist Dr Rachael Diprose, and transnational governance expert Dr Kate Macdonald join host Ali Moore to discuss. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Living with disability in Asian societies

In the Asia-Pacific region, it’s estimated that one in every six people is living with a debilitating physical or cognitive impairment, and that figure is set to grow. So what is the lived experience of people with disabilities and the people who support them in these challenging environments? Population health researchers Dr. Cathy Vaughn and Alex Devine, and social entrepreneur and polio survivor Huy Nguyen, discuss the plight of people with disabilities in Asia. Presented by Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com.

Weaponising social media in Indonesian politics

In Indonesia, what’s the relationship between growing dominance of social media, greater commitment to neoliberal economic policies, and increasing religious conservatism? Indonesia media analyst Dr. Inaya Rakhmani discusses how Facebook and other social media are being harnessed for political gain in a system awash with fake news. Presented by Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Sufism in an age of political Islam

Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, may bring to mind the poetry of Rumi or Turkey’s whirling dervishes, but what are its practices and beliefs? Who are its detractors in the greater Muslim world, and why do some in the West see it as a panacea for political Islam? Dr Muhammad Kamal and Dr Shirin Yasar examine the origins of and contemporary attitudes to Sufism. Presented by Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast Produced by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists Music by audionautix.com

Is Xi Jinping's heavy hand just what China needs?

To many observers, Xi Jinping’s leadership appears to be a throwback to the Mao Zedong era. But is it fair to compare Xi’s methods with Mao’s? Or is Xi’s iron-fisted rule just what China needs? China researchers Prof Tim Cheek and Dr Delia Lin examine Xi Jin Ping’s method and motives. Presented by Ali Moore. An Asia Institute podcast Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists Music by audionautix.com

Language choices and challenges in Indonesia

The complexity and hybrid nature of language in Indonesia means the Indonesian language still vies with other tongues—and even with itself—in the choices people make about how they express themselves. Sociolinguists Assoc. Prof. Novi Djenar and Dr. Michael Ewing examine how the national language is faring in the hyper-polyglot archipelago. Presented by Peter Clarke. An Asia Institute Podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

Being Korean in Japan

Ethnic Koreans have made up a substantial part of Japan’s urban populations for generations. And while many get on with their lives among the Japanese, their unique status continues to present challenges to how they fit in and how they see themselves. Sociologist Assoc. Prof. Nana Oishi and historian Dr. Jonathan Glade examine the fates and fortunes of Zainichi Koreans. Presented by Peter Clarke. An Asia Institute podcast. Produced and edited by Profactual - the Podcasting Specialists. Music by audionautix.com.

How household registration in China continues to divide society

China's household registration—or hukou—system identifies citizens by their urban or rural origins and follows them wherever they may live or work, determining their lifelong access to healthcare, education and other services. Yet in an economically transformed China, hukou is increasingly seen as reinforcing inequality, unfairly cleaving society in two. So what is China doing about it? China sociologist Professor Martin Whyte and Asia historian Lewis Mayo join Ali Moore to pick apart the complexities and contradictions of the hukou system. An Asia Institute Podcast. Produced and edited by profactual.com. Music by audionautix.com.

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