ISAP UCLan is pleased to announce our special issue newsletter for our events!

	UCLan RKE Institute for Area & Migration Studies (AMIS)Seminar Series 2025  We are pleased to announce several hybrid and online AMIS seminars this semester to showcase some of our members’ brilliant work.  23 April16.00-17.00 Adelphi Lecture Theatre 2 and Online“Revoe Public Square: Prototyping Public Space,” by Ecaterina Stefanescu (MIDEX, UCLan) 7 May16.00-17.00 Brook Building BB008 and Online“A Welcoming Space for All: Community Integration through Higher Education Pathways,” by Elena Gandini and Laura Walker (UCLan) Contact: AMIS@uclan.ac.uk for further information.
	Exhibition on North Korea The Echo Never Stops.In An Era of Global Connectivity, What does it Mean To Live In Silence? While the world enjoys the cultural explosion of K-pop, K-dramas, and the vibrant expression of Korean creativity, North Korea remains a stark contrast—a country left behind with the cloaked society. In North Korea, words can lead to imprisonment, and access to information is a dangerous privilege. Given this, the International Institute of Korean Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (IKSU) is co-hosting an exhibition with the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) in South Korea, to reveal the harrowing reality of life under extreme censorship and information control. The exhibition will feature compelling testimonies, data, and rare insights into the struggles for freedom in North Korea. Join us in amplifying these voices and exploring the stories of resilience that challenge our understanding of human rights and freedom of expression—because every story deserves to be told, and every voice has the right to be heard.  7 – 26 April 202510 am – 4 pmPR1 GalleryVictoria BuildingUniversity of Central Lancashire Inquiries to: IKSUEnquiry@uclan.ac.uk
	Institute for Area and Migration Studies (AMIS) International Institute of Korean Studies (IKSU) at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) 2025 WorkshopNorth Korea, A Country Left Behind with the Cloaked Society Speaker 1: Dr Sojin Lim, Co-Director of IKSU & Reader in Asia Pacific Studies.  Addressing Sociocultural Aspects of Period Poverty in North Korea. Speaker 2: Hanna Song, Executive Director of the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB). Invisible and Overlooked: Rights of Persons with Disabilities in North Korea. Speaker 3: Gyu Ri Kang, North Korean Defector in South Korea. The Three Evil Laws and a Post-Covid North Korea.   Speaker 4: Jihyun Park, Senior Fellow for CAPS. 30 Years Since the Beijing Declaration: Speaking Out for the Forgotten Voices of North Korean Women.   Discussant 1: Kyu Li Kim, North Korean Defector in the UK.Discussant 2: Jinhyuk Li, North Korean Defector in the UK. Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/m1XUFMsHRt Thursday 24 April 20253 pm – 5 pmAdelphi BuildingLecture Theatre 1University of Central Lancashire, UK
	Rakugo in English : Japanese Traditional Art of Storytelling Performance We are pleased to announce that we are hosting the English Rakugo Association from Tokyo to perform Rakugo in Preston for the very first time.Rakugo is one of Japan’s traditional art form. It dates back to the 16th century. It started with short stories but as they gained popularity, the stories gradually became longer. The narratives are based on a wide range of topics, from comical to sentimental, and sometimes even tragic.Stories are conveyed by a lone storyteller seated atop an elevated stage called a kōza, using only a paper fan and a hand towel as props. The tales involve conversations between multiple characters and the storyteller switches fluidly from one character to another, changing his voice, facial expression, and mannerisms to fit the character who is speaking.In 1983, Katsura Shijaku, a very popular Rakugo storyteller in Osaka, began performing Rakugo in English. He paved the way for the dozens of English Rakugo storytellers who currently perform in Japan.Members of the English Rakugo Association have performed Rakugo in English language both in Japan and overseas. Registration: Rakugo in English : Japanese Traditional Art of Storytelling Performance Tickets, Thu, May 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM | EventbriteThursday 1 May 202518.00 – 19.30Greenbank BuildingVictoria StreetUniversity of Central Lancashire, UK Inquiries to: TAmano@uclan.ac.uk
	2025 Preston Sejong Institute Korean Courses Throughout 2025 you can learn Korean with ease and enjoyment at the Preston Sejong Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston. Korean Language Courses are offered at all levels from beginner to advanced, with a range of delivery methods including in-person classes and online. Registration for Semester 3 courses, running from7 July to 5 September, will open soon.   For more information, including how to register: University webpage: https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/cpd/courses/preston-sejong-institute-korean-languageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/prestonsejongInstagram: @prestonsejong Inquiries to: PrestonSejong@uclan.ac.uk
	Japan: Beyond Stereotypes, Clichés, and TropesLecture SeriesThe Institute for Japanese Studies (IJS) at UCLan is holding a series of lectures over the coming weeks. Dr. Christopher Hood (former Chair of BAJS – British Association for Japanese Studies) from Cardiff University will start the series on Wednesday 7 May. His talk will be highly relevant to students who have a strong interest in Japan or plan to study, work or live in Japan. His talk, along with his approachable and friendly manner, will encourage students to see and explore Japan beyond stereotypical views or cliché.The talk is open to all and free to attend.   Wednesday 7 May 202514.00Brook BuildingRoom BB438University of Central Lancashire, UK Inquiries to: mthomas22@uclan.ac.uk
	Taiwan on Air HOME Series Book Chat – A Taiwanese Eco-Literature Reader, with Ian RowenIn this episode, our host, Ti-han, invited one of her co-editors, Dr Ian Rowen, to talk about their forthcoming book publication, A Taiwanese Eco-literature Reader, soon to be published by Columbia University Press. This anthology brings together translations of nine compelling stories from Taiwan, examining Taiwan’s most vibrant literary genre and its resonance to the theme of HOME. While this podcast series has featured interviews with some of the anthology’s authors, Ian speaks from the perspective as an editor, showing why it is critical to work on translating Taiwanese eco-literature for global readers. On a personal note, Ian also reflects his own sense of belonging, and the evolving sense of HOME, and how Taiwan has played a key role in that journey. Listen on NBN: Book Chat: “A Taiwanese Eco-Literature Reader” with Ian Rowen – New Books Network Listen on Spotify: Book Chat: “A Taiwanese Eco-Literature Reader” with Ian Rowen – Taiwan On-Air 空中直播台灣 | Podcast on Spotify