Buddhism in a Changing World: Panel Discussion

• Presented by Dr Stefania Travagnin, A/Prof Jack Chia and A/Prof Venerable Juewei
• 23 June 2026
• 11.00am- 12.30pm (AEST)
• This is a hybrid event – Will be held on campus and on zoom

 In this panel, Assoc Prof Jack Chia from the National University of Singapore and Dr Stefania Travagnin from SOAS University of London will join Venerable Assoc Prof Juewei to explore Buddhist responses to contemporary challenges in a changing world.

Jack Chia will introduce the concept of “Buddhist Diplomacy,” demonstrating how Buddhist ideas, institutions, objects, and transnational networks have been mobilised to shape cultural exchange, support peacebuilding initiatives, and at times serve geopolitical agendas across modern Asia. At a time of rising geopolitical tensions and renewed interest in cultural diplomacy, this highlights the often-overlooked role of religion in global affairs.

Stefania Travagnin will examine the evolving relationship between Buddhism and AI. Moving beyond using AI as end-users, she will explore how Buddhists and Buddhist perspectives might shape the development of AI, potentially influencing the global development and governance of artificial intelligence.

About the Presenters:

Jack Meng-Tat Chia is the Foo Hai Associate Professor in Buddhist Studies at the National University of Singapore, where he serves as Assistant Dean of Research at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. He is a historian of religion with a focus on Buddhism and Chinese religions in Southeast Asia. He is an editor for the journals Asian Culture and the Journal of Global Buddhism, and serves on the editorial boards of Contemporary Buddhism, Journal of Chinese Religions, MINDEN: Journal of History and Archaeology, Reading Religion, the Yin-Cheng Journal of Contemporary Buddhism, and the book series “Chinese Buddhism and Asian Civilization” (Springer) and “Religion in Contemporary Asia” (De Gruyter). He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Dr Stefania Travagnin is Reader in Chinese Buddhism and Chair of the Centre of Buddhist Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Travagnin also serves as member of the SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies, and as a committee member of the UK Association of Buddhist Studies. Her research addresses religion (mostly Buddhist doctrine, institutions, and communities) in the twentieth and twenty-first century mainland China and Taiwan, and under the three main areas of (1) religion and Chinese society; (2) textual studies; (3) concepts and methods for the study of Chinese religions. Travagnin was co-editor of Contemporary Buddhism, and currently the editor-in-chief of Review of Religion and Chinese Society.

Venerable Juewei: Venerable Dr Juewei is Associate Professor and Head of Program for Applied Buddhist Studies and Humanistic Buddhism, and Director of the Humanistic Buddhism Centre at Nan Tien Institute. She holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies, a Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (with Honors). An ordained monastic in the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order since 2002, she brings over two decades of experience as a scholar-practitioner applying lived Buddhist wisdom to the challenges of our complex contemporary world.

Tickets are free; however, registration is essential.