Sheng-Yu Lin: An island researcher with bigger questions about the Asia Pacific

 

Sheng-Yu Lin arrived at the Australian National University (ANU) with an unusual starting point. Before beginning his Master of Asian and Pacific Studies in the School of Culture, History & Language at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific (CAP) he had spent time working as a research assistant on Quemoy (Kinmen), a small island off the coast of Taiwan, studying architectural heritage. That experience, grounded in the physical and historical traces of a place most people have never heard of, changed how he thought about the region. 

It also inspired him to understand it more deeply. 

"My work experience inspired me to view history and islands from a different perspective and motivated me to explore the history of the Asia-Pacific region," he says. 

At ANU, he found a program built for exactly that kind of inquiry. 

What drew Sheng-Yu to CAP was not only the academic reputation of the program, but its distinctive approach to understanding the Asia Pacific through perspectives grounded in the region itself. 

"CAP's distinctive Global South perspective and strong academic tradition, which focuses on historical and contemporary interactions between Asia and the Pacific, greatly appeal to me," he says. "I hope to examine the intricate historical connections between these two regions." 

Through his studies, Sheng-Yu has been able to explore those connections across disciplines while engaging with scholarship and ideas that move beyond inherited Western frameworks. For a student whose interests begin with specific places, communities and histories, that regional focus has been particularly valuable. 

Canberra also played a role in his decision to study at ANU. Alongside the University’s academic environment, access to national institutions such as the National Library of Australia and the city’s natural surroundings offered an ideal setting for his experience. 

 "The rich off-campus resources such as the National Library of Australia, and the easy access to nature and wildlife were key factors in my decision to study at ANU," he says. 

Finding your own direction 

For Sheng-Yu, one of the strengths of the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies is the freedom to shape his studies around his own academic interests. 

The program offers a flexible learning experience, allowing students to explore the region from different disciplinary perspectives and develop a study pathway that reflects the questions they want to pursue. Sheng-Yu has made extensive use of the library collections at ANU, which he describes as an extraordinary resource for humanities research. 

Just as important has been the opportunity to learn from academics who encourage students to develop and challenge their ideas. 

"What stands out most is how approachable the CAP professors are," he says. "They are always willing to help and encourage you on your journey." 

That openness also shapes his experience in the classroom. Through discussion and exchange with academics and fellow students, Sheng-Yu has been able to make connections across different fields and develop his own perspective on the complex issues shaping the Asia Pacific. 

"The lectures are engaging, and everyone's ideas are treated with respect," he says. "This flexible atmosphere has made the course more creative and encouraged me to engage more thoughtfully with the region." 

For prospective students interested in research, the degree also provides opportunities to undertake a substantial research project or thesis and develop the skills needed for further academic study. 

Sheng-Yu is currently preparing to present a research project on the mobilisation of Palauans during World War II at a workshop in October, a project that connects to broader questions of colonisation and wartime experience in the Pacific. The process of designing and conducting that research has shaped not just his thinking but his sense of responsibility as a researcher. 

"I think the research process actually reflects how we approach the world," he says. "My research connects to japanisation and wartime loyalty, and my thinking grows through responsibility and my role as a researcher." 

Looking ahead 

As Sheng-Yu looks beyond his master’s degree, research remains an important part of the possibilities ahead. 

He is now considering pursuing a PhD and may eventually return to Taiwan to undertake academic work exploring Taiwan’s history and its connections with the wider Asia-Pacific region. He has not yet settled on one path, and for him, that is part of the value of the degree. 

"It has given me enough space to explore my academic interests and think about possible research directions," he reflects. 

Rather than pushing him towards a single outcome, his experience at CAP has helped him broaden his perspective, strengthen his research skills and consider where his interests might take him next. 

"The broader regional perspective I have gained here will be useful," he says, "but I am still figuring out how I want to apply it in my future career. For now, I would rather keep exploring than commit to one specific path." 

For students considering postgraduate study, Sheng-Yu’s advice is to follow the questions and interests that genuinely motivate them. 

"If you have a passion for the political and social affairs, language, culture and history of the Asia-Pacific region, and wish to gain a comprehensive understanding and cross-regional perspective, this degree is undoubtedly the best choice in Australia and even across the southern hemisphere." 

Ready to deepen your understanding of the Asia Pacific and explore where your interests could take you? Discover more about the Master of Asian and Pacific Studies here.