The chapters following this preface are a collection of scholarly viewpoints about the state of Southeast Asian studies today. A dozen or so invitations to participate in this discussion were sent to scholars of various disciplinary backgrounds in different parts of the world. We had hoped for many more scholars of Southeast Asian origin to also present their views. Although some had expressed interest in contributing chapters, they were unfortunately unable to meet our publishing deadline. The contributions in this collection represent the views of a relatively young generation of researchers and teachers working on the region, with the aim of assessing the current situation so as to suggest a blueprint for Southeast Asian studies in the future. Each chapter takes up the challenge of reflecting on a meaningful approach to this field of studies and mapping out directions that will constitute the essential research agenda in the coming period.