Subject: This Month in Mongolian Studies: July/August 2026

July/August 2026

A Word from the Director

Dear ACMS Community,

Did you know that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program?

This is a milestone near and dear to my own heart, as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program is what first brought me to Mongolia many years ago. I am not exaggerating when I say that my experience as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Ulaanbaatar changed my life.

ACMS played a crucial role in my success that year by helping me learn Mongolian, engaging me as a volunteer, and providing support, services, and opportunities to connect more deeply to the community in UB. Without ACMS, my time as a Fulbrighter would have been significantly less rewarding. And I certainly wouldn't be writing to you now.

Each year, ACMS works closely with the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy to support Fulbrighters in Mongolia. This past year, we welcomed ETAs, Researchers, and Scholars through our doors as language students, volunteers, program attendees, interns, speakers, and collaborators. We look forward to doing the same for years to come.

To support our work with Fulbrighters in Mongolia, I encourage you to make a donation on our website here. Your tax-deductible contribution will allow us continue serving as an academic and cultural embassy for the next generation of Mongolian Studies scholars, researchers, instructors, and even administrators like me.

ACMS helped me feel at home as a newcomer to Mongolia almost a decade ago. And now, you all help me feel at home in my role at ACMS. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Maggie Lindrooth
U.S. Director, ACMS

ACMS Intern Spotlight

Left to right: Ella Madej (USA), Nuri Lewis-Pichler (USA), Esther Delboulbe (France)

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated Summer Interns Ella Madej, Nuri Lewis-Pichler, and Esther Delboulbe for their invaluable support, hard work, and continuous dedication to supporting our many summer programs and activities. Their energy and commitment greatly enriched our participants' experiences in Mongolia, and we are sincerely thankful for their vital contributions to the ACMS team.

If you are interested in volunteering or interning with ACMS, please contact mlindrooth@mongoliacenter.org. Virtual and in-person opportunities are available.

ACMS Research Fellows Update

Introducing Field Research Fellow Ms. Mungunchimeg Batsaikhan

One June 26, ACMS Field Research Fellow Mungunchimeg Batsaikhan led a seminar entitled "Research Methodology and Ethics Seminar for Young Researchers in Anthropology and Cultural Studies" at the Institute of Philosophy (Academy of Sciences). She presented on her doctoral research project: "The Impact of Tourism on Locals' Everyday Life and Culture: Case Study in Khuvsgul Lake National Park." Following these activities, Mungunchimeg visited the ACMS office with In-Country Director Davaasuren Myagmar.

Featured Program:
Intensive Summer Mongolian Language Program

ACMS Intensive Summer Language Program Wrap-Up: July 30, 2026

Seven people stand in a classroom and pose for the camera.Seven people stand in a classroom and pose for the camera.Seven people stand in a classroom and pose for the camera.

Left to right: Jay Husson, Shuhao Liang, Jack Hernandez, Elma Ling Hoffman, Julia Zhou, Dr. Kate Brown, and Daniel Cotter. Front: Program Instructors Dr. Tsermaa Tumurbaatar, Gantuul Sukhbaatar, ACMS In-Country Director Davaasuren Myagmar and ACMS General Manager Baigalmaa Begzsuren

We are thrilled to celebrate the conclusion of our Intensive Summer Mongolian Language Program, which ran from June 2 to July 30, 2026. This year, we welcomed seven dedicated students and faculty members from across the US and UK. Throughout the intensive eight-week program, participants engaged in daily Mongolian language classes while immersing themselves in Mongolian culture and daily life.

A big congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all our participants for their hard work and dedication. We wish them the very best in their future academic and professional endeavors!

ACMS News: July Recap

The State of Mongolian Conservation with Shinezaya Batbold

ACMS In-Country Director Davaasuren Myagmar recently met with Dr. Angaragsuren Odkhuu, Conservator at the National Library of Mongolia, and Ms. Shinezaya Batbold, Chairwoman of the Petrovis Group. The meeting focused on reviewing current preservation initiatives and discussing potential future collaborations to further strengthen cultural heritage research and preservation in Mongolia.

This past March, Ms. Shinezaya’s generous support allowed Dr. Angaragsuren to participate in a month-long professional development fellowship pilot at UC Berkeley's Tang Center for Silk Road Studies and the UC Berkeley Library Conservation Department in coordination with ACMS. We are grateful for Ms. Shinezaya's commitment to preserving Mongolia’s invaluable cultural heritage and look forward to continuing to work together to safeguard these treasures.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. Angaragsuren served as the Lead Curator of the Khutughtu & Lattimore exhibition.

Independence 250 Celebration at the U.S. Embassy

Left to right: Assistant Public Affairs Officer Maia Moore, Ambassador Richard Buangan, with ACMS In-Country Director Davaasuren Myagmar

The "Freedom 250" Independence Day celebration event was held at the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar on Thursday, July 2, 2026. ACMS In-Country Director Davaasuren Myagmar attended the event alongside other distinguished guests and members of the diplomatic and academic community.

ACMS Speaker Series Lecture "The World at Night"

On July 2, the ACMS successfully hosted a special edition of our Speaker Series at the lecture hall of the American Corner in the Ulaanbaatar City Public Library. In partnership with American Corner Ulaanbaatar, we were honored to welcome former Fulbright-mtvU Fellow, photographer, and author Dimitri Staszewski for a captivating presentation on his ongoing, long-term documentary project, "The World at Night."

Dimitri, whose recent visual narrative "The Wolfkeepers of Mongolia" was featured as a major 20-page story in the February 2026 issue of National Geographic, shared intimate and specific stories from his work since 2013 with nomadic communities in Mongolia.

During the detailed presentation, attendees embarked on a visual journey exploring the intricate spiritual and ecological relationships between nomadic Kazakh herders and wild wolves in western Mongolia. Dimitri shared fascinating insights into how myth, ecology, and survival intersect in a landscape where wolves are understood not only as predators but as ancestral and spiritual beings. The lecture was followed by an engaging and vibrant Q&A session among the visiting guests, researchers, and photography enthusiasts, concluding a warm two-hour gathering.

ACMS Speaker Series Lecture and Book Discussion:
"Mongolia and the Great Powers in the 20th Century (1950-2000)"

On July 7, 2026, the ACMS, in collaboration with the Diluv Hutugthu Foundation, successfully hosted the book launch and discussion for the newly revised edition of Mongolia and the Great Powers in the 20th Century (1950-2000) by Academician and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Dr. Batbayar Tsedendamba.

The event drew an engaged crowd of researchers, students, and history enthusiasts to the American Corner at the Ulaanbaatar Public Library. Dr. Batbayar shared invaluable insights drawn from rich archival sources, and mapped out the tense triangular relations of the Cold War and the strategic evolution of Mongolia’s crucial "Third Neighbor" policy. DHF Founder Telo Tulku Rinpoche, also offered his personal congratulations and shared insights on the preservation of Mongolia's diplomatic and spiritual heritage.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked insightful questions, and secured their signed copies of this monumental text!

A close-up picture of a hand signing the title page of a book that says, in Mongolian cyrillic script, “the Dilowa Hutughtu and his 'Great Game.'“

ACMS Hosts UW-Madison Student Orientation and Walking Tour

On July 7, the ACMS conducted a culture and language orientation for students participating in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's NSF IRES-funded project led by Dr. Olaf Jensen. This immersive, full-day orientation included language and cultural lectures and a walking tour with ACMS Communications Specialist Mend-Amar Baigalmaa that introduced the group to the history, language, and urban landscape of Ulaanbaatar.

To learn how ACMS can host a culture and language orientation for your group, contact mlindrooth@mongoliacenter.org and davaa@mongoliacenter.org.

Mongolia Field School (MFS) Updates

Modern Nomads: Social and Environmental Change in Mongolia

A group of American high school students stands in front of a large white marble building with a large statue of Genghis Khan behind them.

From June 29 to July 9, 2026, the ACMS successfully held the brand-new immersive Field School course “Modern Nomads: Social and Environmental Change in Mongolia."

Led by Dr. Amgalan Batsuuri and Dr. Tsermaa Nyamdavaa, an international group of 10 participants of varying ages and backgrounds explored the interconnected challenges of climate change, migration, and cultural sustainability, traveling from the rural steppes to the urban core of Ulaanbaatar.

Participants spent the first half of the course exploring environmental adaptation strategies and challenges in Hustai National park, before returning to Ulaanbaatar to analyze the impacts of rapid rural-urban migration through site visits and community interviews.

Thank you to our incredible faculty, guest speakers, local officials, and wonderful participants for making this new course a resounding success.

All 2026 Mongolia Field School courses are generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Lens on Mongolia: Photography, Culture, and Language

We were thrilled to welcome the inaugural cohort of our new Field School program “Lens on Mongolia: Photography, Culture, and Language."

On July 19, 2026, our international cohort, featuring participants from the United States, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, embarked on a unique seven-day journey blending wildlife photography, cultural exploration, and hands-on Mongolian language learning.

The official kick-off took place at the School of Politics, International Relations, and Public Administration (SPIRPA) of the National University of Mongolia (NUM Building 5).

Led by our expert instructors Dr. Tsermaa Nyamdavaa and Corey Norman, co-instructor Davaa Myagmarsuren, and partners from Hustai National Park, alongside our Mongolian language teacher Dr. Tsermaa Tumurbaatar, participants dove deep into visual storytelling and cultural exchange with the ACMS.

With cameras in hand, our participants focused on capturing daily rhythms, reflective moments, and subtle details of life in both the city and the countryside while practicing respectful composition, timing, and sensitivity in these sacred spaces. This immersive field school officially wrapped up at Bayangol on July 25, 2026.

**MNB World Sightline Interview with Corey Norman**

Hear from our lead instructor, Corey Norman, in his interview MNB World's Sightline program where he shares highlights from ACMS’s Lens on Mongolia Field School and discusses his experience in Mongolia, his creative work, the ACMS course, and the vital role of photography in environmental protection. Watch Corey's full interview on the MNB World Facebook page here!

MNB World is the international broadcast service of the Mongolian National Broadcaster.

Change and Continuity: Managing Biodiversity in Hustai National Park

ACMS kicked off our final Mongolia Field School of the season, "Change and Continuity: Managing Biodiversity in Hustai National Park," on July 27!

Bringing together students and researchers for hands-on ecological learning, this program explores pressing environmental challenges, rangeland management, and the delicate balance between local communities and protected areas in Mongolia's stunning landscapes.

Follow along with our journey as participants engage in field-based research, expert-led discussions, and direct conservation work in one of Mongolia's most iconic national parks.

External Opportunities and CfPs

13th International Congress of Mongolists

August 10-14, 2026 - Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Under the auspices of the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, the International Association for Mongol Studies (IAMS) is hosting the 13th International Congress of Mongolists in Ulaanbaatar from August 10 to 14, 2026.

General Theme & Parallel Sessions

The overarching theme for this year's congress is "Mongolian Studies: Tradition and Modernity." The program features six parallel academic sessions focusing on past and present developments in language, history, culture, and society.

About the Event

The Congress brings together international scholars, researchers, and specialists to examine developments across Mongolian language, history, ethnology, archaeology, culture, arts, literature, traditional knowledge, as well as Mongolia’s society, economy, politics, and foreign relations.

Learn more: Click here to view the official program

If you are planning to attend the Congress, we would love to see you! To visit our office or meet with ACMS In-Country Director Davaasuren, we invite you to contact davaa@mongoliacenter.org and Baigalmaa@mongoliacenter.org

Call for Proposals: ASIANetwork 2027 Conference

ASIANetwork is accepting submissions for their 2027 Annual Conference, themed "Crossing Currents: Confluences, Conflicts, and Connections." This conference will take place April 16-18, 2027 at Seattle University in Seattle, WA and will highlight the challenges and opportunities in education about Asia, Asian diasporas, and Asian American/AAPI studies created by the shifting landscapes of geopolitics in our societies.

Faculty Proposal Deadline: August 31, 2026
Student Proposal Deadline: October 1, 2026

Conference Program Chair: Dr. Jing Zhang (New College of Florida)

Learn more & Submit: Click here to view the official CFP

New Book Release

Mongolie, Mon Chameau S'appelle Charlott by Charlotte Marchina

Author: Charlotte Marchina (with contributions from Jim Jourdane and Naïs Coq)

Publisher: Éditions Actes Sud (Co-edited with Makisapa)

Language: French

Catalog & Previews: Actes Sud Catalog Page

Anthropologist and researcher Charlotte Marchina has released a delightful and informative new graphic novel documenting her research on Mongolian pastoralism. Published by Actes Sud, Mongolie, mon chameau s'appelle Charlott is designed for a wide audience, ranging from readers aged 10 and up to seasoned specialists in Mongolian studies. The book offers a humorous yet deeply educational dive into the daily lives of Mongolia's nomadic herders amidst a landscape undergoing rapid social and environmental transformation. Readers can expect to learn everything from how to make salted milk tea and comb a yak to the fine art of drying socks at -40°C, alongside discovering fascinating cultural nuggets, like how Mongolian traditional clothing inspired Star Wars costumes, or how 5G reaches deep into the desert.

Join the ACMS!

Interested in becoming more involved with the ACMS? In addition to checking out our website or following us on social media to stay up to date, consider becoming a member online or by stopping by our UB office located at Natsagdorj Library, East Entrance, Seoul St-7, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Additionally, keep your eye out for future newsletters that will include more resources, upcoming events, CfPs, and more.

As always, our Mongolian language classes are available on Zoom or in-person in our Ulaanbaatar office. Contact Tsermaa for more details. And don't forget, many of our library resources are available online as well! So until next time, happy reading and enjoy your winter.