Research Methodology & Public Humanities Practice
AAACI’s research methodology is rooted in public humanities practice and emphasizes the ethical documentation and interpretation of Asian American history. Our approach integrates Asian American oral history, archival research, and scholarly consultation to build an Asian American archive that reflects lived experience, migration, and cultural memory. By combining humanities research with Asian American art and contemporary interpretation, we translate historical materials into accessible public programs that support dialogue, education, and long-term preservation within public humanities frameworks.
Our Methodology
AAACI’s work is grounded in historical research, ethical community collaboration, and public humanities practice.
Our methodology ensures that Asian American histories are preserved with accuracy, respect, and long-term public access—while remaining accessible through art and public engagement.
1. Archival Research & Historical Review
AAACI conducts in-depth archival research in collaboration with public libraries, historical centers, museums, and private family collections. We focus on identifying underutilized, fragmented, or overlooked materials related to early Asian American communities—particularly Chinese American history in Texas.
Our research process includes:
- Reviewing historical documents, photographs, newspapers, and institutional records
- Cross-referencing archival sources to ensure historical accuracy
- Contextualizing materials within broader regional and national histories
This foundational research establishes the factual and historical framework for all subsequent work.
2. Oral History & Community Collaboration
Recognizing that many Asian American histories exist outside institutional archives, AAACI partners directly with families and community members to document oral histories and lived experiences.
Our oral history approach emphasizes:
- Informed consent and ethical documentation practices
- Respect for cultural context and personal narratives
- Intergenerational knowledge sharing
By integrating oral histories with archival research, AAACI ensures that historical narratives reflect both documented records and community memory.
3. Research-Based Artistic Interpretation
AAACI uses contemporary art as a method of interpretation, not illustration. Artists collaborate with researchers and historians to engage critically with archival materials and oral histories, translating complex historical narratives into accessible visual, spatial, and performative forms.
Artistic interpretation allows us to:
- Bridge academic research and public understanding
- Engage audiences emotionally and intellectually
- Create multiple entry points for diverse audiences
This approach expands how history can be experienced, without compromising historical integrity.
4. Public Programs & Knowledge Translation
Research outcomes are shared through public-facing programs, including exhibitions, screenings, workshops, lectures, and youth education initiatives. These programs are hosted in libraries, schools, and cultural institutions to maximize accessibility and community engagement.
Each public program is designed to:
- Support public education and historical literacy
- Encourage dialogue across generations and communities
- Connect local histories to broader social and cultural contexts
5. Documentation & Long-Term Preservation
All research outputs—including archival findings, oral history recordings, exhibition materials, and educational content—are documented and preserved for long-term public access.
AAACI prioritizes:
- Archival documentation standards
- Digital preservation and accessibility
- Institutional partnerships for long-term stewardship
This ensures that the work extends beyond individual exhibitions or programs and contributes to a growing body of publicly accessible historical knowledge.
6. Ethics, Accountability & Sustainability
AAACI is committed to ethical research practices, community accountability, and long-term sustainability. We continually evaluate our methods to ensure:
- Responsible representation of communities
- Transparency in research and interpretation
- Sustainable partnerships and archival practices
Our methodology supports ongoing research, future exhibitions, and educational initiatives, allowing projects to evolve rather than conclude.
7. Community Research & Youth Training
AAACI is committed to building long-term research capacity within the community by engaging residents and younger generations as active participants in historical preservation—not merely as audiences.
Through community-based research initiatives, AAACI invites community members to contribute family archives, photographs, documents, and personal narratives for documentation, digitization, and historical contextualization. These materials expand the historical record while ensuring that preservation efforts remain community-informed and culturally grounded.
In parallel, AAACI develops youth research and training programs that introduce students and emerging scholars to archival research, oral history methods, and ethical documentation practices. Under the guidance of historians, artists, and cultural practitioners, participants gain hands-on experience in:
- Archival review and source analysis
- Oral history interviewing and transcription
- Historical interpretation and public storytelling
- Responsible stewardship of community knowledge
By integrating community research and youth training into our methodology, AAACI fosters intergenerational knowledge transmission, cultivates future cultural stewards, and strengthens the sustainability of Asian American historical preservation.