Call for submissions: Cultures of the East and West in Dialogue, 23-24 September 2027, Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan. Deadline: for abstract is 6 November 2026.
Our rapidly interconnected world presents an unprecedented opportunity for meaningful engagement between diverse civilizational traditions. The international conference “Cultures of the East and West in Dialogue” offers an open academic and cultural platform to explore the intersections, shared wisdom, and unique contributions of Eastern and Western thought. Rather than viewing cultural differences as divides, this conference approaches them as rich sources of mutual learning and intellectual renewal. By bringing into conversation the profound philosophical legacies, religious heritage, ethical frameworks, and artistic expressions of both the East – including China, Taiwan, Central Asia, and the broader Asian context – and the West, organizers seek to cultivate deeper mutual understanding, foster interreligious harmony, and address shared global challenges through collaborative inquiry.
Suggested discussion themes:
- Philosophical and Spiritual Heritage in Dialogue
- Comparative studies of Eastern and Western philosophy and religions
- The Cultural and Philosophical Legacy of China and Taiwan
- Interreligious Dialogue and Global Ethics
- Cultural Heritage, Literature, and the Arts
- Future Horizons of Intercultural Collaboration


She leads the HEiRS Lab, a multi-disciplinary research group that studies language use and social interaction in real-world health, community, and educational settings. In her substantive research, Williamson primarily uses conversation and discourse-analytic approaches to study the construction and negotiation of particular meanings of race, childhood, and health, including how these ideas become consequential in institutional life.


She is a journalism educator, journalist and international higher education consultant whose career has combined journalism education, international collaboration and media practice. Deborah serves on the Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Board of Directors, representing its international membership.