Asia Freedom Fellows Programme
About the programme
The Asia Freedom Fellows Programme is a pioneering 12-month initiative designed to foster scholarship in liberal political economy across the Asia-Pacific region. Led by Dr Bryan Cheang in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Governance and Society (CSGS) at King's College London and the LSE Hayek Programme, this fellowship aims to build an intellectual infrastructure for liberal scholarship addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in Asian political economies.
When we speak of "liberal" in this context, we refer to an intellectual tradition that draws from diverse thinkers such as Adam Smith, John Locke, J.S. Mill, David Hume, Benjamin Constant, Alexis de Tocqueville, F.A. Hayek, James Buchanan, Elinor Ostrom, Karl Popper and more. This tradition emphasises both political and economic dimensions of freedom, including individual agency, free choice, the rule of law, and voluntary cooperation as foundational principles that translate into an open society. It prioritises bottom-up processes of social coordination rather than constructivist or top-down orders. The programme explores how these liberal principles can inform our understanding of development challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.
Programme objectives
The fellowship seeks to inspire an appreciation for liberal political economy among scholars from Asia or those working on Asia-related topics. It provides participants with a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of liberal thinking and their application to contemporary issues in Asia-Pacific governance, with particular focus on:
- Examining nationalism, state-led development, and economic liberty in Asia.
- Exploring market exchange and their relationship to the rule of law; the socio-political dynamics of authoritarian or communitarian capitalism.
- Investigating individual rights within diverse social and cultural contexts, especially in non-Western cultures.
Who should apply
We invite applications from:
- Early and mid-career academics across disciplines including political science, economics, philosophy, law, and history.
- Advanced undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional promise (considered on a case-by-case basis).
- Researchers affiliated with think tanks or policy organisations in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Scholars based elsewhere whose work focuses substantially on Asia-Pacific affairs.
- Individuals with demonstrated interest in exploring liberal approaches to governance and development.
We encourage all interested candidates to apply, regardless of their current academic stage. Promising students should not be deterred from reaching out, as suitable candidates at all levels will be considered.
Fellowship commitment
Selected fellows will commit to:
- Academic Symposium: Attend a 4-day in-person symposium featuring leading scholars in liberal political economy, providing foundational knowledge and conceptual frameworks. All symposium expenses, including accommodation, meals, and programme materials, will be covered.
- Monthly Webinar Series: Participate in 12 online sessions with prominent academics, exploring diverse aspects of liberal thought and its application to Asian contexts.
- Research Publication: Develop an original academic paper addressing one of the programme's research streams, to be included in an edited volume published by a reputable academic press.
Benefits
- Become part of the inaugural network of scholars exploring liberal approaches to Asia's development challenges.
- Gain valuable experience in developing and publishing a book chapter in an academic volume.
- Access intellectual resources and connect with leading scholars across multiple institutions.
- Become part of a pioneering intellectual community focused on liberal political economy in Asia.
Programme timeline
- Expression of interest deadline: 30 June 2025
- Application deadline: 15 August 2025
- Fellowship announcements: 30 September 2025
- Training symposium: Tentatively scheduled for 2nd week of January 2026
- Monthly webinars: February 2026 - January 2027
- Research paper submission: January 2027
- Publication expected: Later in 2027
The Asia Freedom Fellows Programme represents a unique opportunity to foster research that addresses the complex challenges of governance in Asia. We hope to also create a network of Asian liberal intellectuals, catalyse novel collaboration opportunities, and advance free and open societies across the region.
Next Steps: Please bookmark this page as additional programme details will be released in the coming months.
Interested parties are to complete this survey form at the earliest opportunity, and share their CV, via email, with Dr Bryan Cheang at b.cheang@lse.ac.uk. We also welcome enquiries pertaining to programme or financial support or sponsorship.