Day 1: August 7, 2024 from 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
1. “Heritage Reimagined: Creating New Decorative Styles for Khmer Wooden Houses from Temple Inspirations” by Channarak Pen
Abstract: This study explores the relationship between the ornamentation of Khmer wooden houses and the decorative elements of Cambodian temples, specifically focusing on designs from Banteay Srey, Bayon, Banteay Samre, and Angkor Wat Temple. By analyzing design motifs, the goal is to create a new decorative style for Khmer wooden houses inspired by temple decorative art style. The research emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional decorative art style in Khmer Wooden houses to help conserve Cambodia’s cultural heritage as Khmer Wooden architecture shifts away from its traditional cultural roots.
Bio: Channarak Pen, a recent graduate in Architecture and Urbanism from Norton University, has a profound passion for heritage buildings and temples.
2. “Cambodian Classical Dance after the Genocide” by Sovannary Sun
Abstract: This research project is focused on the efforts that have been made so far to revive, develop, and preserve classical dance as an integral part of Cambodia’s cultural identity as the Khmer Rouge Regime aimed to eradicate cultural and intellectual traditions, causing immense damage to Cambodia’s artistic heritage. This research will consist of interviews from the older generations of teachers (school of Cambodia fine arts), and a literature review to explore the efforts to preserve and revive Cambodia’s cultural and artistic dance after the genocide.
Bio: Sovannary Sun is a junior at the Royal University of Phnom Penh majoring in History with interests in Art History, World History, and International Relations.
3. “Three-Tower Temples in Cambodia” by Louna Leleu
Abstract: The grand architectural constructions of Khmer civilization reverberate globally. This research examines a more modest yet richly informative architectural style: the three-tower temples. The three-tower temples represent a recurrent architectural pattern employed by Khmer architects. The corpus assembled through this study aims to document this architectural form. It seeks to characterize the evolution of this architectural pattern and explore the various cults associated with it through the examination of cartographic, epigraphic, and iconographic data.
Bio: Louna Leleu is pursuing a master’s degree in Archaeology at Sorbonne Université. She is passionate about Cambodia’s archaeology and cultural heritage.
4. “The Importance of Hevajra’s Bronze Images during the Reign of King Jayavarman the VII” by Marceau Pesenti
Abstract: Often overlooked, bronze objects, especially statues, played an important role in the practice of worship and in the life of the temple, including in its decoration. In this presentation we are going to focus on the bronze representation of the god Hevajra, even today, this deity remains mysterious, partly because of its complex iconography. The aim is to understand why the divinity was represented through this specific medium by exploring the different hypotheses. Was it only for religious beliefs? How did the reign of King Jayavarman VII (1181 – 1218/1219) impact its representations? And why did bronze stand as the main evidence of Hevajra’s presence in the late Angkorian period?
Bio: Marceau Pesenti is a student in Art History and Archeology at the Ecole du Louvre in Paris. He is deeply interested in Southeast Asian arts.
5. “Soundscape of Traditional Khmer Music: A Case Study of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chom” by Roxane Denel
Abstract: As we enter the gates of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chom, the sounds of the cars and sellers nearby are progressively replaced by those played by the musicians of the traditional pinpeat orchestra, accompanying and filling the religious space all day long. This project aims to document the sounds of contemporary Cambodian religious musical tradition, as well as understand through a musical perspective how the sounds of the temple influence religious practices. By interweaving podcasts and soundscape, this project is an invitation to forget about our eyesight and immerse ourselves into the sound atmosphere of Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chom.
Bio: Roxane Denel is a recent graduate from the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) in Paris, in Chinese language and culture studies.
6. “Conserving Cambodia’s Archaeological Heritage: A French Diplomatic Tool?” by Élise Roy
Abstract: The French-Cambodian partnership in the field of archaeological heritage is the result of a long-standing friendship. By analyzing both past and present, this research aims to understand why France persists in supporting and enhancing efforts to conserve Cambodia’s archaeological heritage, over which it has no sovereignty. This exploration of France’s diplomatic utilization of archaeological heritage will involve a historical review of the Franco-Cambodian relationship in this domain, alongside a detailed assessment of past projects and future ambitions. The goal of this research is to comprehend, within a post-colonial context, how archaeological heritage has become a pivotal issue in foreign affairs.
Bio: Élise Roy is a student at Sciences Po Strasbourg. After an internship in journalism in Cambodia, she developed a particular interest in Southeast Asia. She pursues a master’s degree in International Relations with the aim of specializing in this region.
Day 2: August 8, 2024 from 8:45 AM – 11:00 AM
1. “Perspectives on Empowerment: Sorting Cambodian Views on Gender, Considering ‘Glocalization'” by Karimah Bunn
Abstract: This research investigates approaches to gender equality popularized by ‘the West’ in comparison to the current gender discourses present in Cambodia. Assessing the work of nongovernmental organizations and the opinions of Cambodian youth, I question if feminist development ideologies imported from Euro-American nations are conducive to the changes that Cambodians desire. I retell individuals’ experiences working with and living with gender to reveal the ways in which gendered perspectives on social justice and societal morality are expressed and reestablished through development processes while illustrating the hybridity of approaches taken in gender activism amidst a rapidly globalizing and constantly changing world.
Bio: Karimah Bunn is a recent graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, holding a B.A. in women, gender & sexuality studies with focus on medical anthropology and Southeast Asian studies.
2. “Women’s Roles in Treating and Preventing Mosquito-borne Diseases in Siem Reap” by Dylan Lee Loth
Abstract: Women are at the forefront of sustaining efforts to prevent and treat mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, in Cambodia. Our community-engaged study examined the experiences of mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and other caretakers for individuals infected with a mosquito-borne disease, zooming in on how gender roles and traditional value systems influence the landscape of disease prevention and treatment nationwide. Our findings underscore the immense labor women undertake in Cambodian public health and presents gender as a critical category of analysis for understanding modern infectious disease dynamics.
Bio: Dylan Lee Loth is a Cambodian American researcher and artist.
3. “Articulating Problems within On-farm Dynamics for Cambodian Mango Smallholders” by Nathan Bude
Abstract: Cambodia’s 2016 Master Plan for Crop Production designates mango as a priority crop for intensive value chain development, aligning with the nation’s goal to meet high-income country status by 2050. The encounters between international development organizations and target populations, wherein development projects are imagined and effectuated, are often bound by principles of authority that favor the former. This project centers instead on the personal narratives from thirty mango smallholders across seven Cambodian provinces, putting them in conversation with prevailing paradigms of agricultural development in Cambodia.
Bio: Nathan Bude is an undergraduate student at the University of Puget Sound in the United States.
4. “Math Teaching in Cambodia” by Lalise Gizaw
Abstract: Mathematics is a foundation for the development of critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Therefore, understanding the evolution and effectiveness of math education is crucial for advancing educational standards. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of Cambodia’s math curriculum from elementary to high school, focusing on the review of public school textbooks for grades 1-12 to evaluate the curriculum’s structure, content, and pedagogical approaches. The research also includes student surveys and teacher interviews to understand how the curriculum is used, its challenges, and its reception in classrooms. By identifying key strengths and areas for improvement, this study aims to provide a detailed understanding of the current state of math education in Cambodia. The findings offer valuable perspectives for educators, policymakers, and researchers, contributing to the ongoing efforts to enhance educational practices and curriculum development in Cambodia.
Bio: Lalise Gizaw is a senior at University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science Engineering. Lalise is interested in studying math education and international pedagogy.
5. “Assessing Community Center Contributions to Local Resilience: A Case Study of CKS” by Sorya Prak
Abstract: As a socially engaged hub of professional scholars and local students, the Center for Khmer Studies contributes to the local development and community resilience of Siem Reap. Means of developing community resilience are needed to aid local planning, information dissemination, and public education. This research aims to assess the Center for Khmer Studies’ contribution to community development and its role as an information and resilience hub in Siem Reap. Furthermore, this project observes the stakeholder dynamics and implications for establishing more resilience hubs in Cambodia.
Bio: Sorya Prak is an undergraduate economics student at Clemson University with interests in community development, urban policy, and migration studies.
