2026 AAARI Symposium Call for Proposals – Due 3/27/26
Asian American / Asian Research Institute 2026 Symposium The New Asian NYC: Mobilization, Grassroots Power, and Pluralistic Futures Friday, May 15, 2026 Borough of Manhattan Community College/CUNY
The Asian American / Asian Research Institute is accepting proposals for our upcoming 2026 symposium. The recent election of Zohran Mamdani—the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor—marks a historic shift in New York City’s political landscape. This victory stands not only as a milestone for AAPI and Muslim representation but as a testament to the power of grassroots, working-class organizing. While often characterized as the “Mamdani Moment,” this campaign’s trajectory from just 3% in early polling offers a profound case study in the collective “social technology” of door-to-door engagement and the merging of diverse identities. This moment serves as our entry point to explore a broader conversation. The symposium seeks to investigate what these victories reveal about the future of Asian American identity, the intersection of class and race, and the evolving strategies of civic engagement in an increasingly polarized era.
Conference Themes – Grassroots & Class Politics – Gendered Labor & Field Operations – Intergenerational Solidarity – The Pluralistic Diaspora – Social Technology & Media – Art, Music, & Young People – New York City Futures – The Context of Resistance
To ensure a bridge between the academic and the public, we invite submissions from: – Scholars & Students: Academic papers or research posters regarding political science, sociology, ethnic studies, and humanities. – Organizers & CBOs: “Reports from the field” or workshops on community engagement and campaign strategy. – Artists: Literary, visual or performing arts submissions that reflect on identity, visibility, and New York City’s cultural currents.
Please submit your proposal by Friday, March 27, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out by Monday, April 16, 2026. More Info | Submit Proposal
CUNY Asian American Film Festival Call for Submissions – Due 5/1
AAARI is currently accepting submissions for the 2026 CUNY Asian American Film Festival, due on Friday, May 1, 2026. AAARI invites all current CUNY undergraduate and graduate students (including those who graduated in Spring/Fall 2025), both Asian and non-Asian, to participate in this incredible opportunity to showcase your film and gain recognition!
Since 2004, AAARI has celebrated the creativity and vision of student filmmakers from across the City University of New York. With over $16,000 in cash prizes awarded to CUNY students. Past participants have also had their films featured at the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival.
Prizes of $250 for winners and $150 for runner-ups will be awarded in two categories: Fiction and Documentary More Info
From the Lunar New Year Parade to the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Chinatown is a tight-knit cultural hub that invites New Yorkers and visitors to share in a rich sense of living history, all year round. Grab some boba, buy a souvenir for a friend, sing some karaoke, and stay a while.
