Registration Now Open

CALL FOR PAPERS

This three-day conference for researchers is organised by the Timor-Leste Studies Association (TLSA). The TLSA is an interdisciplinary, international research network focussed on all aspects of research into East Timorese society, including politics and history, economics, communications, health, language, agriculture and science.

The TLSA now calls for papers on any aspect of research on Timor-Leste. Next year’s conference will also have several special streams: 1975 – 50 Years on (convened by Clinton Fernandes); Timor-Leste’s International Relations and ASEAN (convened by Mica Barreto-Soares); Indigenous Knowledges (convened by Josh Trindade); Inclusive Economy (convened by Guteriano Neves); Gender Research in Timor-Leste, convened by Tam Nguyen and Sara Niner); Tourism research (convened by Feliciano Quintas) and Multi-species Engagements (convened by Susanna Barnes & Josh Trindade)

The Understanding Timor-Leste 2025 conference will be co-hosted by the Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e, Swinburne University of Technology, and the Institute of Contemporary History, NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Portugal and the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Knowledge Institute.

The 2025 TLSA conference is generously supported by the Association for Asian Studies, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Knowledge Institute

The organisers now call for papers addressing any aspect of social science / humanities / scientific research related to Timor-Leste. The conference organisers welcome papers from academics, researchers, activists, community groups, and policy makers. A refereed conference proceedings publication will be published after the conference. Conference sub-themes will include, but are not limited to:

Special Streams:

• 1975 – 50 Years on
• Timor-Leste’s International Relations and ASEAN
• Indigenous Knowledges
• Inclusive Economy
• Gender Research in Timor-Leste
• Tourism research
• Multi-species Engagements in Timor-Leste
• Peace Studies

Open research areas:

• Agriculture
• Anthropology and Archaeology
• Community Development
• Culture and Society
• Development Policy
• East Timorese Perspectives on Regional and Global Issues
• Economics, Business and Trade
• Education
• Health
• History and Heritage
• Language and Linguistics
• Peace-Building
• Politics and International Relations
• Resource Management
• Timor-Leste’s Regional and International Relationships

CONFERENCE LANGUAGES

Papers may be presented in Tetum, Portuguese, English or Indonesian.

PAPER ABSTRACT & PANEL PROPOSALS

Please send all abstract proposals for 20-minute papers, with a 150-word abstract, by Friday 28 March 2025, to: tlsa2025conference@gmail.com

Proposals must include:

• Name:
• Affiliation:
• Paper Title:
• 150-word Abstract:
• Language(s):
• Theme:

You may also propose a 1.5-hour panel (3 papers). Please include the above information for each individual paper, as well as a panel title and abstract.

Tetum language papers should also be sent cc: Dr Mica Barreto-Soares barreto_mica@hotmail.com

Portuguese language papers should also be sent cc: Dr Zélia Pereira  zeliacruzpereira@ gmail.com

Indonesian language papers should also be sent cc: Dr Mica Barreto-Soares barreto_mica@ hotmail.com

MODERATOR OPTION

Please indicate if you are willing to act as a moderator for a panel: YES or NO.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Registration now open: REGISTER NOW

SUPPORT FOR EAST TIMORESE NATIONALS TO ATTEND

See registration details (available online shortly) for special discounts for East Timorese participants.

FURTHER DETAILS

Further details about registration, accommodation and travel will be available soon on the TLSA website: https://tlstudies.org/