Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 August 2022 Period start date To 31 July 2023 Period end date
Charity name: Association of Southeast Asian Studies in the United Kingdom
Charity registration number: 1170590
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The overall object of ASEAS(UK) is to advance the education of the public on the subject of Southeast Asia and to promote research for the public benefit in all disciplines of that subject and to disseminate the useful results by such means as the trustees see fit. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Research Impact Award The 2022-23 RIA was awarded to Fahmi Rizki Fahroji for his project, ‘Uncertain futures of the underground in the ruins of a Borneo coal mine’. Fahmi’s project formed part of his MRes studies at the University of Glasgow, which investigated the future of coal mining in Southeast Asia as the world shifts away from fossil fuels. He explores the overlooked post-mining landscape, particularly in South Borneo, Indonesia, where massive extractive operations have left contested ruins underground. Fahmi used the funding to conduct ethnographic work, looking at how geological and political forces intersect in shaping the region’s future. He reveals that the imaginations of local communities, including the Banjarese, Dayaks, and Javanese transmigrants, are diverse and uncertain in the shadow of the underground’s ruins. Master’s Dissertation Prize In early 2022 we launched a new Master’s Dissertation Prize to showcase outstanding humanities and social science research on Southeast Asia from postgraduate students globally. The 2023 prize was awarded to Helsheila Julis Binti Juffri. Sheila’s dissertation, titled ‘Temuan Ontology through Derian Worlding’, was submitted as part of her Master’s in Research, which she completed in the School of Media, |
Languages and Cultures at the University of Nottingham Malaysia in 2022. Sheila’s thesis comprised a detailed ethnographic account of the indigenous Temuan’s complex relationship to durian in Peninsula Malaysia, exploring ontological themes as well as the material relations between durian, customary land and social relations. We recently opened another call for submissions, which closes on 1 March 2024. ASEAS Conference 2022 From the 8[th] to 10[th] September 2022 we welcomed over 80 scholars from sixteen countries to our first online conference, hosted on the Zoom platform. We decided to hold the conference online due to the unpredictability of the pandemic situation, and to maintain our commitment to combatting climate catastrophe, as it becomes increasingly hard to justify taking 14-hour flights for a two day conference trip. However, hosting the conference online also made it much more accessible to Southeast Asia-based scholars. It opened with a fantastic keynote from Professor Jonathan Rigg (University of Bristol), who emphasised the importance of moving outside of one’s own discipline in order to approach an understanding of Southeast Asia. The three days saw a series of talks, roundtables and workshops on a range of topics and closed with a second keynote by Dr Maitrii Aung-Thwin (National University of Singapore), who talked about moving towards a more public Southeast Asian Studies. A significant part of 2023 was spent organising the subsequent ASEAS Conference, which was our first conference to be held in Southeast Asia and took place at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, from 27 to 30 November 2023. This will be summarised in next year’s Annual Report. Events ASEAS held a number of online and inperson events in 2023. In July we held a webinar looking ahead to Indonesia’s 2024 elections; in June we presented an online film screening of ‘Drive to School’ and in conversation with filmmaker Dr Charlie Rumsby. The production of ‘Drive to School’ was supported by the ASEAS Research Impact Award. ‘ Drive to School’ is a short film that documents the motivations of young Christian missionaries
| Charles and Ai who are striving to bring education and hope to Cambodia’s stateless children. In May we held a roundtable discussion in collaboration with the LSE Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre which focused on the in-country research climate and future of research in Indonesia and the Philippines. In May we also held ASEAS’ first in person social networking event, which took place in London in collaboration with Chatham House and the LSE Saw Swee Hock Southeast Asia Centre. We hope to hold more of these networking events in the future. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | ASEAS Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | In accordance with ASEAS(UK) Constitution clause 18(1) (Delegation by charity trustees), the Executive Committee shall appoint a Research Committee of three members, at least one of whom should also be a member of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall appoint the Chair and Secretary of the Research Committee for the purpose of raising research funds and deciding upon their allocation on behalf of ASEAS(UK). |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Awards and Prizes The Research Impact Awards enable early career scholars to undertake fieldwork in Southeast Asia, fostering new research and publications, whilst advancing their careers. The Awards also support the development or dissemination of a film, audio piece, website, or other artistic project to communicate research outside of academia and to engage broader audiences with the Southeast Asian Studies community. The Master’s Dissertation Prize provides a small financial reward but significantly raises the profile of Master’s students. They are also awarded a free ASEAS membership, enabling them to foster new connections and networks. Conference ASEAS conferences are an invaluable opportunity for Southeast Asia-focused researchers to network and present their research. They also provide a chance for early career scholars to build their profile and establish important connections. Work presented at the conferences covers a range of topics across eras, geographies and disciplines and has the potential to reshape the wider field of Southeast Asian Studies. The online conference in 2022 made this biennial staple much more accessible to the global Southeast Asian Studies community, as we welcomed over 80 scholars from sixteen countries. The 2023 conference in Indonesia was more accessible for Southeast Asia-based scholars, who may have been unable to fund a visit to the UK. We plan to host future conferences in the region, alternating between the UK and Southeast Asia, to ensure ASEAS retains this accessibility. Website The ASEAS website continues to publish reviews of books, encompassing a range of Southeast Asian Studies topics. This is an invaluable tool for researchers, particularly at a time when traditional journals are publishing fewer reviews. Member Newsletter The monthly membership newsletter is an invaluable addition to the ASEAS membership offering, providing information on opportunities, the latest research, as well as highlighting the achievements of members, including recent publications, awards and grants. Membership and Social Media |
|---|---|---|
We currently have 324 members, which is an increase of 163 from last year’s report. This is mainly due to the conference in Indonesia, which attracted a significant number of delegates from the region. Online, Facebook group membership has increased to 6000 members and the Facebook page has over 3700 followers. Our social media pages provide a lively forum for news and discussion between academics and interested members of the public across the UK and Southeast Asia.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Total of £18,246.00 in assets at the end of the period. Income of £4,243.00 against a total expenditure of £4,343.00. Annual loss of £100.00. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity does not have a reserves policy. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | We have done a good job steadying the ship this year. We have spent less whilst earning significantly more. This is down to successful conferences and fundraising events. This allows the organisation to continue to offer competitive research awards. We have made progress towards finding long-term, sustainable ways of generating income to remain financially viable. We have gained and retained members and have other income streams like conferences and events to keep the charity sustainable. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Membership fees and the bi-annual conference. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Members of the Executive Committee of ASEAS(UK) will become trustees of ASEAS(UK) on first election to the Executive Committee (unless they are ineligible for one of the reasons described in clause (2) below) and will remain a trustee until they leave the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will manage the affairs of ASEAS(UK) and may for that purpose exercise all the powers of ASEAS(UK). (2) Eligibility for trusteeship • Every charity trustee must be a natural person. • Membership of the Executive Committee (including renewal of Executive Committee membership) is through nomination and support of two other full members of ASEAS(UK). • Each nominee must have been a full member of ASEASUK for at least a year prior to being nominated. • No one may be appointed as a charity trustee: - if he or she is under the age of 16 years; or - if he or she would automatically cease to hold office under the provisions of clause 15(1)(d). No-one is entitled to act as a charity trustee whether on appointment or on any re- appointment until he or she has expressly acknowledged, in whatever way the charity trustees decide, his or her acceptance of the office of charity trustee. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Association of Southeast Asian Studies in the United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | ASEAS(UK) / ASEAS |
| Registered charity number | 1170590 |
| Charity’s principal address | Centre of South East Asian Studies SOAS, University of London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square WC1H 0XG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Tyson | Chair | |||
| KimberleyWeir | Operations Director | |||
| Elliot Newbold | Financial Director | |||
| Kellynn Wee | Communications Director |
From December 2022 | ||
| Thomas Kingston | Editorial Director | |||
| Stephanie Benzaquen-Gautier |
From December 2022 | |||
| Mike Charney | From December 2022 | |||
| Fakhriati Fakhriati | From December 2022 | |||
| Tilman Frasch | ||||
| Dylan Gaffney | ||||
| Michael Leadbetter | From December 2022 | |||
| Ronan Lee | From December 2022 | |||
| Nick Long | From December 2022 | |||
| Ben Murtagh | ||||
| Laurie Parsons | ||||
| Amanda Rogers | ||||
| Charlie Rumsby | ||||
| Russell Yap | ||||
| Pon Souvannaseng |
To November 2022 | |||
| Deirdre McKay | To December 2022 |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Adam Tyson Full name(s) Kimberley Weir ~~a~~ Position (eg Secretary, Operations Director Chair Chair, etc) ~~ee~~ Date 29.01.2024 ~~pO~~
Association of Southeast Asian Studies (UK)
1170590
Receipts and payments accountspts and payments accountsts and payments accountspayments accountsayments accountsyments accountsments accounts
Receipts and payments accountspts and payments accountsts and payments accountspayments accountsayments accountsyments accountsments accounts CC16a For the period Period start date Period end date To from 31/7/2022 31/7/2023
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Endowment Restricted funds Total funds Last year funds funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Membership Payments 2,603 - - 2,603 2,450 Gross Interest 145 - - 145 4 Event Revenue 1,495 - - 1,495 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sub total (Gross income for AR) 4,243 - - 4,243 2,454 ~~==~~ A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). ~~5 ===~~ - Sub total - Total receipts 4,243 - - 4,243 2,454 ~~————=~~ A3 Payments Research Awards 1,650 - - 1,650 1,650 Stipend 2,500 - - 2,500 3,000 Reimburse for Services 127 - - 127 211 Bank charges 66 - - 66 35 ~~===~~ Membership refund ~~2~~ - ~~ES~~ - ~~EE~~ 20 - - - - - - - - - - Sub total 4,343 - - 4,343 4,916 ~~——~~ A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - Total payments 4,343 - - 4,343 4,916 ~~—————~~ Net of receipts/(payments) - 100 - - - 100 - 2,462 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 18,346 - - 18,346 - Cash funds this year end 18,246 - - 18,246 - 2,462 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ~~=~~ Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment Categories Details funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 Cash funds Community Account 656 - - Business Account 17,590 - - - - - Total cash funds 18,246 - - ~~===~~ CCXX R1 accounts (SS) (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))1 OK OK OK31/1/2024
Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment funds funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~~—=_—=~~ Fund to which asset Current value Cost (optional) Details belongs (optional) B3 Investment assets - - - - - - - - - - ~~ee~~ Fund to which asset Current value Cost (optional) Details belongs (optional) B4 Assets retained for the - - charity’s own use - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~~ese~~ Fund to which Amount due When due Details liability relates (optional) (optional) B5 Liabilities - - - - - Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of approval KIMBERLEY WEIR 31.01.24 ELLIOT NEWBOLD ~~——~~ 31.01.24 2 31/1/2024
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)