ABOUT US
The British Association for South Asian Studies
supports advanced research in the humanities and social sciences of South Asia. It is a registered charity (number 264591).
BASAS is one of the world's leading learned societies for the study of South Asia. BASAS was established in 1986 and is now the largest UK interdisciplinary academic association for the study of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and the South Asian diaspora. In 2007, BASAS merged with the Society for South Asian Studies, which had been formed in 1979 when the Society for Afghan Studies (founded in 1972) expanded its remit.
BASAS Activities:
- Organising an Annual Conference, bringing together the latest research in the Humanities and Social Sciences across the world on South Asia
- Supporting graduate students and early career scholars through our awards, including the annual BASAS Prizes for the best graduate paper at the conference and the best Master’s thesis written in a UK university
- Providing mentoring opportunities for graduates and ECRs by organising themed workshops led by senior scholars in the field
- Highlighting the best in critical thinking in South Asian Studies by organising the BASAS Annual Lecture
- Recognising and promoting cutting-edge research through our Annual Book Prize for the best first sole-authored monograph in South Asian Studies
- We are committed to supporting advanced research by publishing the journal South Asian Studies and partnering with Contemporary South Asia
- Collaborating with other organisations, networks and institutions promoting South Asian Studies
- Publishing a monthly newsletter that brings together information on the latest events, job opportunities, announcements and news items on South Asian research
The Association is managed by an elected council of BASAS members. These include the following Association officers: Professor Christophe Jaffrelot (BASAS Chair), Dr Tom Chambers (BASAS Secretary), and Professor Deana Heath (BASAS Treasurer).
It’s very refreshing to see senior scholars come and still be interested in helping to shape the careers and trajectories of the younger scholars
By Professor Frank Conlon,
University of Washington
