CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Navigating Inequalities in East and Southeast Asia: Exploring the Intersections of Material, Relational, and Recognition Inequalities
Guest Editors:
Vincent Chua
Associate Professor
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
National University of Singapore
Eric Fong
Director, Research Hub of Population Studies
Chair Professor of Sociology
University of Hong Kong
This special issue invites scholars to examine evolving forms of inequality in East and Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on social identity formation and recognition gaps. Drawing on Michele Lamont’s (2023) concept of “recognition gaps”—which refers to disparities in worth and cultural membership between social groups—we aim to explore how these gaps intersect with material and relational inequalities to create layered and complex social stratifications.
While much of the inequality literature has focused on material inequalities (such as wealth, income, and education) and relational inequalities (including the unequal distribution of social capital and networks), recognition gaps have received less attention. These gaps concern disparities in how individuals are perceived and valued in terms of their worth, dignity, respect, and social status, which are deeply influenced by entrenched stereotypes, beliefs, and prejudices.
A social psychological approach is essential to understanding these dynamics, as it allows for exploration of how beliefs, emotions, and cognitive processes contribute to the reproduction and mitigation of inequality. Recognition inequalities cannot be addressed through material redistribution alone; they require changes in the psychological and cultural perceptions that underlie social relations.
The purpose of the special issue is to use the region of East and Southeast Asia as an empirical lens to enrich global research and debates around the study of material, network, and recognition inequalities. Focusing on this region offers two key advantages. First, East and Southeast Asia present distinct societal contexts that allow us to examine how inequality-related factors—often studied in North American and European settings—play out in different environments. This perspective also helps uncover factors that might be overlooked when research is confined to Western contexts. Second, many societies in this region have undergone rapid economic growth, leading to rising inequality. The fluidity of social institutions amid this transformation provides a unique opportunity to explore social psychological responses to rapid changes in economic structures and social relations.
Papers for this special issue should explore the social and psychological processes that sustain or challenge present forms of inequality in the region. We seek contributions that investigate the interplay of material, relational, and recognition-based inequalities, with an emphasis on how they shape individual perceptions (beliefs, stereotypes, mental models, and cognitive shortcuts), emotions, and behaviours. The focus on different dimensions of inequalities expands our understanding of the phenomenon and the outcomes.
Pertinent topics and question include:
Ethnic Stratification and Racialisation: The evolving ethnic landscapes in East and Southeast Asia provide a critical context for studying racialisation. Racialisation involves not only the categorisation of individuals but also the beliefs and stereotypes that underpin these categories, which often lead to unequal treatment and opportunities. We invite papers that explore the psychological and relational processes behind racialisation, examining how these processes contribute to inequalities in social and economic outcomes.
Ageing and Social Status: Ageing populations in the region face different social and material challenges depending on their wealth, gender, and class situations. The recognition of older individuals, particularly in terms of stigma or reverence, plays a crucial role in their life chances. We are interested in how material inequalities intersect with recognition gaps, and how older people experience social relations in different demographic contexts.
Immigration and Social Integration: As East Asian countries experience demographic changes, immigration has become a key policy response. However, the integration of immigrants raises complex questions about fairness, competition, integration, and belonging. We seek papers that examine how recognition inequalities shape the experiences of immigrants and locals, particularly regarding perceptions of fairness in the labour market, access to social services, cultural and language integration.
Urbanisation and Spatial Inequalities: Rapid urbanisation in East and Southeast Asia has led to significant shifts in living conditions, including overcrowding, rising living costs, and spatial segregation. These changes have profound implications for social cohesion and psychological well-being. We invite papers that explore the social psychological processes at play in these urban contexts, particularly how individuals rationalise and adapt to material deprivation, spatial segregation, and housing crises.
Gender, Class, and Social Psychological Processes: Gender inequalities remain deeply ingrained in many societies including in East and Southeast Asia, particularly in relation to traditional gender roles within the family and in labour markets. We are interested in how these gendered norms intersect with class and ethnic inequalities to shape individuals’ social relations, including experiencing discrimination and opportunity. We also seek to explore the psychological dynamics that sustain or challenge these inequalities, including cognitive processes, emotions, and rationalisations by both men and women.
In addition, to exploring these topics, we encourage papers that engage with the broader theoretical implications of recognition gaps and their intersection with material and relational inequalities. We are particularly interested in submissions that examine intra-regional differences within Asia (Duara, 2013), contributing to a comparative understanding of inequality across different cultural, social, and political contexts.
Finally, we invite papers that not only map these inequalities, but also consider the practical implications for social improvement. How can we address these inequalities through policy levers and practice? What concrete steps can be taken to mitigate the impact of recognition gaps and their intersection with material and relational inequalities?
We look forward to receiving papers that offer innovative insights into the social and psychological processes that shape inequality in East and Southeast Asia, contributing to a richer, more nuanced understanding of the region’s evolving social dynamics.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
In keeping with JSI guidelines, we anticipate that contributions will be original journal-length articles of empirical research (rather than reviews).
Interested contributors should submit titles, detailed abstracts of 3-6 pages, and short biographies (limited to half a page) to Vincent Chua (socckhv@nus.edu.sg) and Eric Fong (ewcfong@hku.hk) by June 15, 2025.
Detailed abstracts should conform to APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition) They should describe the theoretical underpinnings of the work and implications for social policy. The abstract should include descriptions of the sample, methodology, and primary results.
The editorial team will select a subset of detailed abstracts for inclusion with the formal proposal that they will submit to the JSI Editor by September 1, 2025. The editorial team will provide authors with feedback about inclusion in the special issue proposal by December 1, 2025.
If JSI gives approval to proceed with the special issue, then we will direct invitees to submit manuscripts of 5000-6000 words (excluding tables and figures) within 4 months of the invitation date.
REFERENCES
Duara, P. (2013). Asia redux: Conceptualizing a region for our times. In P. Duara (Ed.), Asia redux (pp. 5–32). Singapore: ISEAS Publishing.
Lamont, M. (2023). Seeing others: How recognition works—and how it can heal a divided world. New York, NY: Atria/One Signal Publishers.