The Centre for Caribbean Studies at University of Toronto (U of T) is proud to celebrate the achievement of Haoyuan Tian (Tian), a second-year undergraduate student, who has been selected to present their research at the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA) 50th Annual Conference, taking place in Kingston, Jamaica in June 2026. This milestone not only marks a significant academic accomplishment for Tian, but also reflects the strength of the Caribbean Studies Program at U of T in fostering undergraduate research, mentorship, and global scholarly engagement.
From Curiosity to Conference Presentation
Tian’s academic journey into Caribbean Studies began with an interest in history and politics. After being introduced to Caribbean history through HIS230H1 - Indigenous and Early Colonial Caribbean History, Tian pursued a Minor in Caribbean Studies and a Specialist in History. With growing interest in migration, race, and political exclusion, he also enrolled in upper-year courses such as CAR226H1 - Caribbean Political Thought and CAR328H1 - Caribbean Indentureship and its Legacies, presently taught by Anil Persaud. Through office hour meetings Tian shared more and more about his interests, particularly his interest in the political lives of Chinese migrants from China to the Caribbean in the 19th century and then their onward journey to Canada. Instructor Persaud was able to guide further discussions towards the arrival of Chinese migrant labourers to Canada in ships in the Vancouver in the late 90s and early 2000s. These ongoing discussions and courses provided the building blocks for Tian’s emerging research interests of migration, race, and belonging.
Through my assignments I am always keen that students develop their research, writing and presentation skills. As an added motivation teachers try to share with their students opportunities to participate in conferences and get their work published and otherwise made accessible to the wider public; I do the same. – Anil Persaud
With guidance from his Instructor, Tian applied to present at the CSA Conference, one of the most respected international gatherings for Caribbean scholarship and dialogue. Tian has been accepted as a presenter at the Association’s 50th Annual Conference, which is an exceptional achievement, particularly for an undergraduate student. This year’s Conference theme is - Caribbean Vibes and Vibrations: Culture, Identity and Development in Transformative Times.
Research Spotlight: Migration, Governance, and Political Exclusion
Tian’s conference presentation is based on his CAR226H1 Research Paper Assignment titled: From Labour Management to Institutional Governance: Chinese Migration and the Limits of Political Subjecthood from the Caribbean to Canada. The paper examines the historical experiences of Chinese indentured labourers in the Caribbean and traces how systems of colonial labour control shaped long-term patterns of political exclusion that persisted through later migration to Canada.
Tian’s work stands out for its ability to bridge Caribbean history with broader questions of diaspora, governance, and belonging, demonstrating the relevance of Caribbean Studies to global political and social dialogue.
Abstract:
“Caribbean political thought has long discussed how the colonial system defined political subjects through institutional arrangements and, in the process, excluded certain groups from the political order. The migration experience of Chinese people in the Caribbean region provides a specific and continuous historical case for understanding this issue. In the 19th century, the Chinese entered the British Caribbean through the indentured labor system. Their legal status, social activities and living space were confined within the labor structure required by the plantation economy, lacking the institutional conditions to enter public affairs and political discussions. This paper takes the migration process of Chinese people from Caribbean indentured labor to urban immigrants in Canada as a clue to explore whether this identity transformation is accompanied by the expansion of political subjectivity.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For Tian, presenting at an international conference represents both an academic and personal milestone. As a Chinese student navigating higher education in a second language, the experience reflects resilience, growth, and a commitment to intellectual risk-taking. Tian credits frequent engagement with professors, attending office hours, and actively participating in academic spaces as key to building confidence and deepening understanding.
Tian's advice to fellow students is simple yet powerful:
Don’t wait until you feel fully completely ready - Haoyuan Tian
Applying for conferences, sharing your work, and stepping into unfamiliar academic spaces are essential parts of the learning experience.
Celebrating the Caribbean Studies Program
Tian’s achievement exemplifies the University of Toronto’s Caribbean Studies Program’s dedication to undergraduate mentorship, interdisciplinary learning, and experiential academic opportunities. Through rigorous coursework, close faculty support, and encouragement to engage with international scholarly communities, the program equips students to produce research that is both historically grounded and socially relevant.
As the Caribbean Studies Association celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Centre is proud to see its students contributing to critical conversations shaping the future of Caribbean scholarship.
We congratulate Haoyuan Tian on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to his continued academic journey.