A book titled Sensory Anthropology: Culture and Experience in Asia by sociologist Associate Professor Kelvin Low was named an “Outstanding Academic Title” by the American Library Association (ALA) in “The Choice Outstanding Academic Titles list of 2024”.

This prestigious list reflects the best in scholarly titles, both print and digital, that were reviewed the year before by ALA’s publishing unit, Choice, and brings with it the extraordinary recognition of the academic library community. ALA noted that the list is quite selective, containing approximately ten per cent of some 5,000 works reviewed annually by Choice.

Published on 9 March 2023 by Cambridge University Press, the volume is a pioneering exploration of how different Asian cultures understand and value sensory experiences – such as sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and beyond – and reveal the ways in which these are deeply tied to cultural meanings and social practices. For instance, it looks at sensory rituals, the role of sensory experiences in religious practices, and how sensory engagement can shape identity and social interaction.

Assoc Prof Low, Head of NUS Sociology and Anthropology, focuses his research on sensory studies, migration and transnationalism, food and foodways, and social memory and heritage. His current research projects include human-non-human relations and sensory encounters in the city, as well as sensory craft in relation to ceramic artists and learners in Singapore.

On the accolade, Assoc Prof Low said, “I am humbled and privileged to receive this acknowledgement from the ALA. More importantly, it is gratifying to see that sensory scholarship continues to gain important traction and academic visibility, with a focus on Asian contexts and cultures”.