Project work has its moments; it can be grueling and it can be fun. These rigours are to be expected when your project extends to the maritime historiography and cultural history of an entire region. In the case of exploring the complex history of Asia’s maritime identity, vis a vis its countries and their history with the Silk Road and the spice trade, you’ll need a skilled team by your side.
Prof. Marina Kaneti’s project team has volunteered to share a little bit about themselves, their experiences in the project, and how they’re helping move things along in the project titled “Power legitimacy, agency: The Belt Road Initiative and Visions for Interconnected World”. This is the first in a series of student stories called “Into the Project”, where they tell us about their involvement and their journey thus far.
In this first edition, we have Mathew Kelley, our 28-year-old Master of International Affairs candidate from Andover, Massachusetts, USA. He majored in East Asian Studies for his undergraduate degree in the US, and lived and worked in China for several years before coming to LKYSPP.
Being passionate about making a difference in the world this degree has equipped him with the necessary knowledge to begin to do that. In the future, he’d like to move into a research and advocacy role for a global non-profit focused on the environment or human rights. A little-known fact about Mathew: he had received a full-scholarship to attend the Shanghai Theater Academy but turned it down! Anyone else interested in hearing that full story?
Back on topic, we asked Mathew a few questions about his role, experiences, and expectations about the project and here is what he had to say:
- Briefly, what is the project about and what is your role in the project?
I have been a part of Dr. Marina Kaneti’s larger effort to find creative ways to showcase her research. Her research centers around the exploration of maritime identity and cultural/heritage work in the region that is being more rapidly mobilized in response to China’s Belt & Road Initiative.
- What have your contributions been thus far and what do you expect to be doing in the following days?
I’ve helped Prof. Kaneti launch a digital storytelling platform in partnership with the NUS Digital Scholarship Lab, in addition to completing ongoing traditional research tasks, which included a five-day field work trip to Ternate, Indonesia. During the trip I took video footage and recently completed a documentary about the work, which is now published on her site. I am currently compiling the rest of the footage from the trip into one or two new videos, in addition to completing various literature reviews and website updates.
- What were your expectations of the project and how they changed since?
I had taken one of the MIA core modules with Prof. Kaneti (Global Governance), and she specifically asked me to help her with this project, so I had a pretty clear idea going into this what to expect. I’ve enjoyed a large degree of autonomy during my research work with her, but she remains a constant presence for help and guidance when necessary.
- What was the most and least enjoyable part of the project?
The trip to Ternate was the highlight of the project - to be able to explore a historic island that I would have never gone to otherwise was incredibly special. Then to be able to document that journey, craft a compelling narrative aided by rigorous research, and creatively present that through video storytelling was immensely enjoyable and meaningful.
- Project work entails working closely with people, any fun stories to share on that front?
Through our travels in Ternate we were able to interact and work closely with so many different types of people from all levels of the community. But one memory that sticks out is when our incredibly personable driver Ojit played an Indonesian song on the radio whose chorus included repetitive dramatic singing of the name “Tanya”. Prof. Kaneti’s other RA who joined for the trip, Tanya, couldn’t help but turn a bit red in the car and laugh with us!
They say travels broadens the mind, has your time in this project brought about new perspectives for you?
It was more the purpose and scope of the journey: I had never heard of Ternate before, and having to prepare for the trip reinforced just how little I know about the world and humanity’s complicated history. Everyone, graduate students especially, should proactively engage with narratives and histories that challenge our current understandings of the world, and that go beyond the details of our immediate needs and interests.
If given a chance, would you do projects like this again? Why or why not?
Yes! This work with Prof. Kaneti has necessitated equal parts creative problem solving, intellectually rigorous research, and skillful project management, a combination which has been extremely helpful for my personal and professional development.