Gotta Read 'Em All - Decoding Braille in the Pokémon Series. To obtain a trio of legendary monsters in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002), players can embark on an elaborate side quest where they must decode two-dimensional representations of Braille. Removed from its original context as a tactile language, this visual “Pokémon Braille” is at […]

Disability Rights, Activism and Changing Governance in South Korea and Japan. Through comparisons of anti-discrimination and accessibility reforms in South Korea and Japan, this talk analyzes the rise of legalistic governance. More formal rules and participation in policymaking and enforcement, including through the courts, mark a change. Celeste Arrington, Korea Foundation Associate Professor of Political […]

Beyond Birth Rates: South Korea's Policy Response to Demographic Aging. Examining how demographic shifts shape policy priorities and challenges, Darcie Draught-Véjares from the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, will explore the multifaceted implications of population aging, low birth rates, and shrinking workforce on South Korea's domestic politics and international engagements. By […]

Labor Unrest in Chinese-Invested Enterprises in Turkey: Local Dynamics and Global Implications. Burak Gürel is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Co-director of the Center for Asian Studies at Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey. China, once a hub for foreign manufacturing investment, has become a major investor in overseas factories and mines. Disputes at Chinese-owned […]