Ashley Thompson

Biography

I am a specialist in Southeast Asian Cultural Histories, with particular expertise on Cambodia. A sustained focus on classical and pre-modern arts and literatures is complemented by more punctual work on the contemporary period. The Cambodian case is informed by research on the larger Asian context, especially Southeast and South Asian cultural histories, with a view to theorising Asian politico-cultural formations. My research is informed by deconstruction and psychoanalysis, and revolves around questions of memory, political and cultural transition, sexual difference and subjectivity, particularly as revealed, or not, by language and textuality in the broadest sense. Post-colonial critical perspectives have also played a role in more recent work. Objects of analysis include Hindu and Buddhist sculpture, cult or ritual practices and texts, as well as other forms of fine and performing arts. Before taking up academic work in the West (France, the US, the UK), I spent ten years in Thailand and Cambodia working in post-war reconstruction in the fields of education, art, archaeology and cultural heritage research and management.

Education

BA in History and Literature, Harvard
MA in Études Indiennes, Université de Paris 3
PhD in Études Féminines, Université de Paris 8

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Art History, Gender Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, Critical Cultural Heritage

Books