New Books Network Indology in Canada Conference: A Conversation with Dagmar Wujastyk
Apr 1, 2026
Dr. Dagmar Wujastyk, Associate Professor at University of Alberta and organizer of Indology in Canada, specializes in premodern Indian studies. The conversation outlines the conference’s aim to build a Canadian Indological community. Topics include redefining Indology today, inclusivity across diasporic and vernacular work, conference format and networking, and themes like epics, medicine, alchemy, and translation.
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Reclaiming Indology As A Broad Modern Field
- Indology can be reclaimed as a broad, modern field focused on premodern India rather than a purely colonial legacy.
- Dagmar Wujastyk chose the term to signal study of languages and premodern cultures while expanding its contemporary, inclusive meaning.
Community Building Is The Core Purpose
- The conference aims primarily to create a Canadian community of scholars working on India who are geographically dispersed.
- Wujastyk emphasizes networking, peer identity, and learning who is doing what across Canadian universities and career stages.
Rotate Hosting And Leverage Institutional Funds
- Rotate hosting between universities and use institutional funding to support in-person events.
- Wujastyk plans future editions at different campuses and used a Singmar endowment to fund the inaugural conference at University of Alberta.