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What is the official course title, and who are the instructors?

The official title is Livable Futures: Asia as Worlding, hosted by the Digital Narratives Studio, School of Journalism and Communication at CUHK, in partnership with The Center for Cultural Studies (CUHK) and the Cultural Studies Department at Lingnan University. The course features a collaborative faculty; detailed information about instructors will be announced later.

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Are there exams or compulsory assessments?

There are no formal exams. Participants engage in presentations, creative research projects, and collaborative workshops. Each participant identifies one or more themes in their practice to extend in relation to the symposium.

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What certificate or credit do participants receive?

Participants will receive a certificate of completion from the IACS Summer School. The program does not offer academic credits.

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Is proof of English proficiency required?

The primary language of instruction is English. While formal proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS) is not explicitly required, participants are expected to have sufficient English proficiency so as to engage fully in discussions and activities.

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Are undergraduate students with strong research motivation and relevant international engagement/independent researchers eligible to apply?

Yes. While the summer school is primarily designed for graduate students, we very much welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including motivated undergraduate students with strong research interests and relevant international engagement,  who find resonance with the theme and aims of the program.

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I do not yet personally know a scholar within the IACS network who could serve as my referee. Would it be acceptable for me to list my academic supervisor as my referee instead?

Yes, it is acceptable to list your academic supervisor as your referee. While it is ideal for a referee to be (1) someone affiliated with one of the IACS institutional partners, (2) an individual member of the Inter-Asia Cultural Studies Society, or (3) someone who has participated in or presented at IACS activities in the past, this is not a requirement. Not having an IACS-affiliated referee will not affect your eligibility or the review process.

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I would like to ask if the referee needs to be a member of IACS, or if I enroll myself in the society, can I be my own referee for the summer school?

Self-nomination is possible, so you may list yourself as the referee if you prefer. If you do not have a suitable referee, please simply indicate that in your application and let us know. Not having a referee will not affect your eligibility or the review process.

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I wanted to ask whether applications to the 2026 IACS Summer School are open to collaborations/team submissions?

We welcome collaborative or team applications, but please note that we have a limited number of seats and aim to maintain a diverse cohort. Therefore, we may not be able to accommodate very large teams. All applicants should register and pay individually, rather than submitting a single team application. However, team members are welcome to indicate in their individual applications that they are applying as part of a group. As a general guideline, teams larger than three members may be difficult to accommodate.

Yes, IACS has very few scholarships for exceptional cases, where we can waive registration fees for applicants who do not have access to institutional or personal funding. You may apply for either a full or partial scholarship by providing a statement in the application form. Please note that we are unable to provide travel stipends or additional support for living expenses.

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Is there a fee structure for participants who do not require housing?

The category of Local Students (based in Hong Kong) would be the most appropriate (does not include accommodation), and the corresponding fee is 75 USD. If you are admitted to the summer school, you may simply inform us of your category before proceeding with the registration fee payment.