International Mongolia Humanities Forum (IMHF)

ACMS & SOAS University of London International Mongolia Humanities Forum (IMHF)

A banner with a white background over a picture of Buddhist prayer flags. The text of the image reads: "International Mongolia Humanities Forum: May 9, 2026. Join us for a day of virtual presentations where graduate students will share their ongoing Mongolia-related humanities research and receive expert feedback." With the logos for the American Center for Mongolian Studies, Embassy of Mongolia in the UK, and SOAS University of London at the bottom of the image.

SOAS University of London, the American Center for Mongolian Studies (ACMS), and the Embassy of Mongolia in the UK are pleased to announce the inaugural International Mongolia Humanities Forum (IMHF), which will take place virtually on May 9, 2026.

The International Mongolia Humanities Forum is an interdisciplinary academic symposium dedicated to advancing scholarly research on Mongolia and Mongolia-related topics across the humanities. This event will provide a platform for postgraduate students undertaking dissertations/research to present their research exploring Mongolia’s history, culture, language, literature, religion, and heritage from interdisciplinary humanities perspectives.

IMHF seeks to foster global dialogue and showcase innovative research on Mongolia in regional and global contexts, and will provide participants with expert feedback on their work and/or works-in-progress.

While the submission period to present at the IMHF 2026 is now closed, we welcome scholars, students, researchers, professionals, enthusiasts, and other lifelong learners to attend the Forum on May 9, 2026. Panels will begin at 8:30am BST (British Summer Time) and will continue throughout the day until 4pm BST.

Registration is required for all attendees. Please click here to register.

Click here for the full IMHF proceedings including panel presenters and abstracts.

Schedule Overview

Session One: 8:30am-10:30am BST (GMT +1)

Sacredness Under the Gaze: The Songbaling Ritual, the Tsam Dance, and the Modernist Predicament of Buddhism in Inner Mongolia
Saran Tuyaa Feng, University of California, Riverside
The Sky Unseen, the Self in View: Shamanic Animism and Embodiment in the Contemporary Mongolian Art Exhibition "Inner Me"
Yunna J. Han, Columbia University
Integrating Traditional Herding Knowledge into Education: Building Resilience and Preserving Mongolia’s Pastoral Heritage in the Face of Climate Change
Anudari Bayanbileg, University of the Humanities of Monoglia

Session 2: 11am-1pm BST (GMT +1)

The gür khan title: Examining enthronement of gür khans
Purevdorj Bolor-Erdene, National University of Mongolia
Intersections of Nomadic Identity and Tangible Heritage in Contemporary Mongolia
Geet Govind Shukl, National University of Mongolia
Gifts on the Frontier: Tuva between the Soviet Union and Mongolia
Ertine Doptan, HSE University
A Study on Nomadic Cultures and Their Influence on Inner Asian Civilizations: A Case Study on Mongolian Civilization
Ranveer Singh Solanki, Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi

Session 3: 2pm-4pm BST (GMT +1)

Towards a model for public archaeology and heritage engagement in Mongolia: relevance, practice, impact
Lisa Randisi, University College London
Guardians of the Sacred North: Shamanic Ritual, Cultural Memory and Intangible Heritage among the Darkhad of Khövsgöl Province, Mongolia
Suchismita Ghoshal, Indira Gandhi National Open University
Navigating Gendered Barriers and Leveraging Support in Conservation: A Comparative Case Study in South Korea and Mongolia
Nari Lee, University of Montana
Asceticism & Wealth in the Manichaean Religion of the Old Uighur Khaganate
Jasmine Jimenez, Saint Louis University

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