The research program of GEAS is based on the systematic study of contemporary and modern East Asia in its wider global context. The research approach combines regional expertise on China, Japan and Korea with a strong focus on one or more social science disciplines.

Our fellows analyze specific topics within East Asia in the fields of politics, society, economy, culture, law and history. Dissertation projects at GEAS address concrete topics in contemporary or modern settings in East Asia, or explore key challenges in transnational contexts. Research at GEAS is not limited to the three countries China, Japan and Korea. It is also interested in ways in which developments in and phenomena from East Asia affect other regions of the world.

The Graduate School supports doctoral candidates in developing their research projects based on their individual interests and skills with workshops, colloquia, research design and fieldwork.

Different disciplines contribute distinctive approaches to a common range of topics. We can offer supervision in the following disciplines:

• Chinese Studies
• Japanese Studies
• Korean Studies
• Political Science
• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Human Geography
• Business and Economics
• Law
• Gender Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Theatre and Performance Studies