In Conversation with Deepak Nair

What makes ASEAN diplomacy distinct? Deepak Nair (NUS Singapore), the co-winner of EISA’s 2020 best article award, rejects both essentialist/orientalist as well as generic readings of ASEAN diplomacy and presents a micro-sociological account of ‘face-saving’ practices. In this conversation with Vineet Thakur (Leiden University), Deepak discusses his background, his interest in Southeast Asia and practice theory, his immersive fieldwork, and more.

Deepak Nair: https://fass.nus.edu.sg/pol/people/deepak-nair/

Nair, Deepak (2019): “Saving face in diplomacy: A political sociology of face-to-face interactions in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations”