Episode 145: Liang Wu, SEAP/Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University

In this episode, host Namfon Narumol Choochan, joined by Yi-Jen Chen, a Cornell PhD student in Anthropology, interviews Liang Wu, a postdoctoral associate in Environmental Humanities in the Southeast Asia Program and the Department of Science and Technology Studies. Together, they explore what it means to rethink "maritime Southeast Asia." Rather than treating Southeast Asia as a fixed geographic region, the conversation focuses on the circulation of labor and commodities across Southeast Asia and the globe. Dr. Wu highlights the central—yet often overlooked—role of Filipino seafarers, tracing how their prominence historically emerged from U.S. colonial training, postcolonial labor policies, and the expansion of the global shipping industry since the 1970s. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Wu's work, methodologies, and fieldwork experiences! Lightning round(Lecture Summary): 3:45 Main interview: 8:18 8:18 – What first sparked your interest in maritime Southeast Asia? 9:37 – The traditional framework divides Southeast Asia into "mainland" and "maritime" regions. Do you think this distinction still holds? What are its limitations, and how does your work challenge or move beyond it? 13:24 – Could you share your ethnographic experience—how did you first gain access to the field, and what were some of the most striking moments early on? 17:28 – As your fieldwork progressed, what observations or turning points led you to refine your core research questions and focus? How did you navigate and plan your work in such an unpredictable and high-risk environment? 20:35 – Where and when did you conduct your ethnographic research? 23:00 – What does "containerization" mean in your work? How does this concept help us understand maritime labor and organization at sea? 26:29 – What historical period does your research focus on? How do contemporary trade routes compare to those of the 16th century, when Southeast Asia is often described as a cosmopolitan hub? 30:29 – When you place these two moments side by side, what key contrasts and insights emerge? 34:35 – While ships are largely male-dominated spaces, the industry depends heavily on the "immobile" labor of women at home. How does the prolonged absence of seafarers reshape gender roles and power dynamics within Filipino families? 39:27 – In the confined, hyper-masculine environment of cargo ships, how do seafarers navigate intimacy, friendship, and vulnerability? Did you observe moments where the "tough sailor" persona breaks down, and how do they support each other emotionally? 43:33 – After years of listening to seafarers' stories—especially narratives of sacrifice—how have you grappled with the ethical dimensions of your research? Has this shaped your perspective or influenced your career trajectory? Advice for researchers and recommendations: 49:49 Dr. Wu' top recommendations:  In Asian Waters: Oceanic Worlds from Yemen to Yokohama by Eric Tagliacozzo Intertidal History in Island Southeast Asia by Jennifer L. Gaynor Maritime Southeast Asia: Not Just a Crossroads by Jennifer L. Gaynor   The music on the podcast is from "14 Strings!", a Filipino-style Rondalla group established at Cornell University. Check them out here.   Produced by Neen Yada Tangcharoenmonkong, Adam Farihin, and Cecilia Liu